An Act To Abolish The 72-Hour Waiting Period For A Gun Purchase
LD 1230 proposes to repeal Maine's 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, which currently requires sellers to delay firearm delivery to buyers for three days. If enacted, this bill would directly affect gun sellers and buyers in Maine by allowing immediate firearm possession after a purchase. The legislation specifically targets the statutory requirement in Maine law (25 MRSA §2016) that created this waiting period, without altering other gun sale procedures like background checks. This change would remove the existing three-day delay without introducing new restrictions or requirements.
Bill status
failed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 25, 2025
Last action Apr 9, 2026
Floor votes · House Apr 9, 2026
How they voted
66–66
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 134
Apr 9, 2026
D
Democratic65
98% Yea
I
Independent3
66% Yea
R
Republican66
98% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
On motion of Representative KUHN of Falmouth, the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report was ACCEPTED.
lower
Apr 9, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (66-66-2)
house
Apr 8, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Reported Out - ONTP/OTP-AM
legislature
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY PREVAILED
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY.
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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