2024 Legislative Session
Background Checks: LD 2224 expands the requirements for Background Checks to advertised firearm sales and was signed by the Governor. See the Governor’s Press Release.
72 hour Waiting Period: LD 2238 requires a 72 hour waiting period to access a gun after purchase. The Governor allowed this bill to become law without her signature. Read her statement. This law became effective August 9, 2024. See the Advisory on its implementation issued by the Department of Public safety. It is being challenged in court and the case was heard on February 11th in Maine US District Court, as reported by the Portland Press Herald. A bill has also been introduced to repeal it .
With respect to the other MGSC priorities for this past legislative session:
Bump Stocks: LD 2086 would have banned bump stocks and other rapid-fire conversion devices. The bill was approved in both the House and Senate but was vetoed by the Governor. On June 14, 2024, the US Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks so now there is no protection from this device being bought, sold and used in Maine
A true ERPO: LD 2283, a true Extreme Risk Protections Order, was not taken up by either the House or the Senate.
Law enforcement and healthcare professionals support all four of these measures.