Maine Gun Waiting Period Survives Supreme Court Challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a challenge to Maine’s 72-hour waiting period for most firearm purchases, leaving the requirement in effect while the lawsuit continues. Enacted after the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, the law is intended to reduce suicides and homicides linked to impulsive firearm purchases. The First Circuit ruled in April 2026 that the law could remain in force, reasoning that it delays acquisition but does not prevent people from keeping or bearing arms; gun-rights challengers argue it violates the Second Amendment. The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case is not a ruling on the law’s constitutionality, and the underlying legal challenge remains unresolved.