Supreme Court declines to review Maine's 72-hour gun purchase waiting period
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal challenging Maine's law that imposes a 72-hour waiting period on firearm purchases.
The Supreme Court has opted not to take up a case contesting Maine's mandatory 72-hour waiting period for firearm acquisitions, leaving the law intact. Earlier, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had found the statute probably aligns with the Constitution. The waiting period, introduced in 2024 alongside expanded background checks, was designed to curb impulsive purchases that can lead to suicides and homicides.
Supporters, including the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, cite state Department of Public Safety data indicating the rule has saved lives since its implementation. The legislation was passed six months after a gunman killed 18 people in Lewiston. Officials expect the law to continue operating despite opposition from gun-rights groups.
Why it matters
The decision keeps Maine's gun-waiting period in place, affecting how quickly firearms can be obtained in the state.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage highlights the Supreme Court's decision to leave Maine's waiting period in place as a public-safety measure, while centrist coverage reports gun-rights groups suing over New Mexico's waiting period and frames the law as unconstitutional.
LEFT
Frames the waiting-period law as a life-saving safety measure that the Supreme Court allowed to remain.
CENTER
Frames the waiting-period law as an unconstitutional restriction that gun-rights groups are challenging.
The left emphasises
- designed to curb impulsive purchases that can lead to suicides and homicides
- saved lives since its implementation
- passed six months after a gunman killed 18 people in Lewiston
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