The state of Maine is being sued over its new 72-Hour waiting period to buy a gun.
The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and Gun Owners of Maine announced a lawsuit Tuesday, which was filed against state Attorney General Aaron Frey in federal court in Bangor.
The waiting period bill narrowly passed the state legislature earlier this year and went into effect without Governor Janet Mills’ signature.
The gun rights groups say the law violates the U.S. Constitution and could hurt the state’s economy, while supporters say it’ll help reduce gun violence.
Gov. Mills said she was “deeply conflicted” when she allowed the legislation to take effect without her signature. The law took effect on Aug. 9.
The plaintiffs listed on the lawsuit are Andrea Beckwith, owner of East Coast School of Safety; Rep. James Lee White, R-Guilford, and owner of J White Gunsmithing; Adam Hendsbee, owner of A&G Shooting; Thomas Cole, owner of TLC Gunsmithing; and Nancy Coshow of Bridgton.
In a statement, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine’s leader, David Trahan, said, “Responsible gun owners should never have to wait to exercise the right to defend themselves and their property, and the 72-Hour waiting period law is an affront to that right the likes of which has never been seen in our state.”
The lawsuit comes as gun safety groups are focused on their own priority.
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition says it’s collected 60,000 signatures to get a “red flag law” proposal before voters.
The coalition argues a red flag law could’ve prevented the Lewiston mass shooting last year while opponents say it would restrict Second Amendment and constitutional rights without offering due process.
The Red Flag Law would let families and police ask a court to temporarily remove a dangerous weapon from a family member in crisis.
The state’s current Yellow Flag law requires a mental health evaluation before a weapon can be taken from a person.