AS OF THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025, a Federal injunction has been entered against the 72 Hour Wait in Maine. The State of Maine has of course appealed and asked for a stay. Until such time as there is a stay in this case, the 72 Hour Wait rule is no longer in effect.
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Effective August 9, 2024, Maine requires a 72 hour wait period for retail firearms sales and certain person-to-person transfers.
Maine 131 – SP 958 item 1
“This bill requires a 72-hour waiting period between an agreement for the purchase and sale of a firearm and the delivery of that firearm to the purchaser. Certain exemptions, such as the sale to a federally licensed firearm dealer or a law enforcement officer, are specified.”
The little direction there is has come in the form of a three page unsigned, undated, FAQ style document titled “Advisory on 72 Hour Waiting Period” with the seals of the Maine Department of Public Safety and Maine Office of the Attorney General at the top.
Advisory on 72 Hour Waiting Period
For most transactions, Call To Arms Gun Works, LLC policy shall be a completed 4473 and 72 hours from the date & time a NICS check is submitted.
Exception: Firearms purchased by the transferee from an outside dealer/wholesaler and sent to Call To Arms Gun Works, LLC for completion of the 4473/background check satisfy the “agreement for the purchase and sale of a firearm” as of the date/time on their receipt from the outside dealer/wholesaler. No additional wait time is necessary.
Don’t agree with the 72 hour waiting period? Consider joining Gun Owners of Maine to help fund the fight against this law.