Maine’s new three-day waiting period for gun purchases is facing legal challenges following a Supreme Court ruling that has made it more difficult to enact gun safety legislation. The law, enacted by the Legislature last year, is being challenged by a lawsuit alleging that it violates the Second Amendment.
The lawsuit was filed by gun stores, gun owners, and individuals like Andrea Beckwith, who runs self-defense classes for victims of domestic violence, and Rep. James White, who owns a gunsmithing business. Their attorney argued that the waiting period infringes on individuals’ right to keep and bear arms, even if they have passed a background check.
The Office of the Maine Attorney General defended the law, stating that it was put in place to curb impulsive firearms purchases and that courts have upheld similar waiting periods as constitutional. U.S. District Court Judge Lance Walker heard arguments on the case and is expected to make a ruling in the next few days.
The key issue in the case is whether the waiting period is considered “narrow, definite and objective” under the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. The plaintiffs’ attorney argued that the law is too broad and treats every gun purchaser as a potential threat, while the state attorney general’s office defended the waiting period as a necessary measure to save lives.
Ultimately, the judge’s decision could impact the future of gun safety legislation in Maine and potentially set a precedent for other states facing similar challenges. The case highlights the ongoing debate between gun rights advocates and those pushing for stricter gun regulations in the United States.
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