An Act To Eliminate Background Checks For Private Sales Of Firearms

This bill (LD 1062) would change Maine law to require private firearm sales to occur through a federally licensed dealer, who would then conduct a background check using the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. It directly affects private sellers and buyers of firearms in Maine by replacing current requirements for sellers to perform checks themselves. The key mechanism shifts the background check responsibility to licensed dealers, who must complete the check as if they were the seller and may charge a reasonable fee. This preserves background checks for private transactions but removes the obligation from individual sellers. The bill does not eliminate background checks but restructures how they are administered.