Is this immediately in effect, or is there a future effective date?

More importantly, how does this work for online sales? The bill says 72 hours between "agreement to purchase" and taking possession. If I ordered online and my FFL is just doing the transfer, does the time the gun spent being shipped count towards the 72 hours?

I've looked around the web and can't find any info yet. Would like to avoid calling and asking my FFL because I am sure he's being inundated.

Thanks!

Edit: I believe this goes into effect 90 days from now. If I'm incorrect, send me a note.

https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-statement-72-hour-waiting-period-bill-2024-04-29

Governor Mills' Statement on 72 Hour Waiting Period Bill April 29, 2024

Governor Janet Mills announced today that she will allow LD 2238, An Act to Address Gun Violence in Maine by Requiring a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases, to become law without her signature.

The Governor issued the following statement on her decision:

"I have spent the past ten days – the maximum allowed under the Maine Constitution – considering LD 2238, reviewing testimony both for and against, and speaking to proponents and opponents alike. I have thought long and hard about the potential impacts of this bill, and I am deeply conflicted. I recognize that there are people of good faith on both sides, with strongly and sincerely held beliefs. This is an emotional issue for many, and there are compelling arguments for and against. This is not an easy issue.

"On the one hand, opponents argue that the measure implements an arbitrary standard; that it places an undue burden on law-abiding citizens, including potentially limiting the obtaining of a weapon for self-protection in exigent circumstances; that it is Constitutionally-suspect and is being challenged in the courts in other states, including Vermont; and that it would not have prevented the tragedy in Lewiston. There are merits to these arguments.

"Proponents, on the other hand, argue that this measure is a much-needed suicide prevention tool, allowing for a cooling-off period to reconsider and to potentially let impulsive feelings subside. They cite information from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention that Maine has a high rate of suicide deaths compared to other states and that more than half of those were caused by a firearm. Further, they point out that, for the most recent year for which we have statistics, 89 percent of all deaths by guns were suicides. This argument also has real merit.

"I believe that effective suicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach, such as improving Maine’s extreme risk protection law and expanding mental health services, particularly for those in crisis – as we have done through laws I recently signed. It is clear that, in the last six months especially, our existing extreme risk protection order has prevented suicides every day and has led people to get help.

"In carefully considering all the arguments, I have decided to allow this bill to become law. I do so, however, with some caveats and concerns and with the hope that it can be implemented to accomplish its intended goal of preventing suicide by firearm without overburdening our outdoor sports economy and the rights of responsible gun owners and dealers to engage in lawful and constitutionally protected activities.

"To address some of the concerns about the bill identified during the legislative process, I will request that the Commissioner of Public Safety, in consultation with the Attorney General, to undertake the following:

1. monitor Constitutional challenges over waiting periods for firearm purchases now playing out in other jurisdictions, including Vermont, to assess their impacts on this law

2. review and provide written guidance to law enforcement and the general public concerning how the provisions of this legislation affect: 1) the temporary transfer, including the borrowing or renting of firearms (in the context of guided hunts, for example), and 2) the ability of citizens to acquire firearms for personal protection under exigent circumstances to provide clarity to impacted individuals, among other issues that may need clarity."

The Governor today also vetoed LD 2086. Her veto letter can be read here (PDF).

Last week, the Governor signed into law legislation she introduced that would enhance public safety and strengthen Maine’s mental health system while respecting Maine’s longstanding outdoor traditions.

The Governor’s bill, taken in combination with complementary initiatives in the supplemental budget she signed earlier this week: 1) improves Maine’s extreme risk protection order law; 2) expands checks against the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for advertised sales and incentivizes checks for unadvertised sales; 3) establishes an Office of Violence Prevention at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and 4) strengthen Maine’s mental health system by expanding crisis receiving centers, among other important public safety and mental health initiatives.

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=131&paper=&ld=2224

I believe, but don't know, that the effect is immediate. Be aware if you're currently or plan to buy or advertise firearms for sale online in an otherwise private transaction that you will need to do a background check (which I'm guessing requires involving an FFL).

Edit: updated belief is that it's 90 days from the last session, but again....I havent looked it up...

Hi guys. I'm an Executive Assistant and my boss wants to try to find a gun club or range that would hire him in any capacity. He would be great as a procurement manager, financial manager, range manager, instructor, etc. He has a long list of certifications and trainings. Anyone who could point me in the right direction on where to send him would be great. Trying to line something up before he flies there from Colorado.

Hey I was looking at buying some magazines while I’m in Maine. As a non Maine resident am I able to purchase 30 round magazines with a valid license? Is there any waiting period or can I be in & out? Any info would be much appreciated thanks

I’m trying to find a decent place to shoot outdoors now that the wonderful winter weather has dissipated. I know about Scarborough F&G but don’t want to go through the hassle of getting a membership. Are there any places I can go shoot in Southern Maine around the greater Portland area?

For anyone interested in getting into rifle shooting competitions, there are two intro classes this weekend at the Scarborough Fish & Game club.

Sunday April 28th has two Education/Training Events – Open to all Club Members & Guests.

Introduction to NRL .22 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Join us an learn about very fast growing and fun rifle disciple shot with the ubiquitous .22LR on small safe steel and paper at 35-100yds. Come and see how much fun you can have with your trusty .22. The 2025 NRL .22 Season Starts May 4th and this is a good introduction to how the matches flow and what to expect. Only $20 and includes water/lunch. Loaner firearms will be available and recommendations on rifles and gear that will fit your budget will be provided. https://scarfg.org/event/introduction-to-nrl-22-rifle-competition-open-to-members-and-the-public/

Introduction to Mid-Range Rifle Competition 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM  – Our staple format on the 600yd Range, Mid-Range Prone can be a fun and fulfilling experience. Find out how easy it is to get started, and join a group that supports all skill levels from new shooters who have never shot their rifles past 100yds or may not have ever shot a rifle on a target. Experience our Electronic Target System and learn about an exciting and challenging rifle discipline. Our experienced Committee Members, coach and mentor many new shooters every year, and look forward to sharing their knowledge with you to develop your skills. $20 and includes water/lunch. https://scarfg.org/event/introduction-to-competitive-mid-range-rifle-0-22-nrl/

Attend both for $20 and make a day on the Rifle Range an interesting and informative day.

EDIT: There is no sign up for these events, just show up on the day.

Hey all. We've gotten a bunch of new folks in the sub over the last couple of days (for probably obvious reasons). Welcome! :)

As a quick intro and reminder, given current events, we try and keep this sub as "apolitical" as possible.

It's not that politics are unimportant, it's that the goal here is to keep the sub open to everyone with an interest in guns themselves and hobbies involving guns without becoming overrun by the politics of guns - and there are other/better forums for those kinds of topics.

Edit: every once in awhile, as long as everyone remains civil and follows other rules, we will leave a political post or comments up when the topic is exceptional and broadly applicable (e.g. the current expected massive change in ME gun laws). Civil will be closely monitored.

Hope everyone understands.

Here is how this is framed, specifically, in the rules and what will/won't get moderated:

-- Rule #4: Keep it apolitical unless the topic is of cross-background interest.

Peachy Keene: "is this legal?", "there has been a new law passed, here are the facts you need to know"

Not peachy keen: "The damn libs or damn maga or whomever is trying to take away your freedoms!", "We gotta band together to stop crazy politician whomever from passing this law!", etc ....

If it's political (vs legal) and you think it's important, there are better forums for it. Agitprop in particular is likely to get a ban.

Just your friendly reminder to start writing the governor about all of these new gun control measures....

Here are the big ones.

1. 72 hour waiting period has passed both houses and is waiting on the Governor's signature.

2. Paramilitary training ban has been passed (and I believe signed)

3. Ability to sue gun manufacturers failed

4. Red flag law did not make it to a final vote, so is dead for now (may be resurrected?)

5. Edit: I believe expanded background checks were also passed.

There are a few others (mental health, yellow flag law updates, etc). Too lazy this am to go find links, but encourage everyone to go find and read the text of what was passed (hopefully from a neutral source without an agenda - be careful of some of the summaries; I've seen some wild ones).

As before, this post is a PSA and pre-locking comments for it on the basis of political neutrality. Message me if I missed something important or made an error and I'll update.

So I was just checking out the hours at the Summerhaven range for this weekend and noticed a bunch of free/cheap classes organized by the Maine IF&W folks. I'm checking out a couple myself. Maybe everyone already knows about these, but just in case:

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/programs-resources/educational-programs/outdoor-programs/index.html

(Mod Note: Trying to stick with the politics-neutral ethos, but some of this stuff looks like it has a a plausible chance of becoming law and will affect some of us, so posting for functional awareness. I'm locking it from the outset, but if you have information that you believe should be added to the post, message me and I'll add it if it's pertinent)

Laws on the table includes a waiting period, red flag law (hearing Friday), a paramilitary training ban (I believe it has passed house and Senate), some mental health bits, etc.

Not advocating for or against them (the laws or GOME) generally, but GOME is a reasonable place to get updates:

https://gunownersofmaine.org/

https://gunownersofmaine.org/news/13335315

https://gunownersofmaine.org/news/13337033

I accidently let my CCW expire this past November. I know it's not required in Maine but I like having it anyway. Before I fill out the re/newal paperwork, does anyone here know if there is a grace period before it's considered a new application again?

IOW, since it's only been four months, can I fill it out as a renewal with the reduced cost and less supporting paperwork?

Does anyone shoot 5.7? I bought some by mistake and can’t return it. I have 150 rounds if anyone is interested.

I need a raised shooting platform (4' high would be ok, 6-8' would be ideal) for a range (not a hunting blind). I'd really like to spend less than $500 on it (much less if possible) and I don't really have the time for a carpentry project (I'm bad and slow).

Anyone have creative ideas? My headspace is "big flat boxy things often found for sale used"...It could be as simple as hauling a few used /broken refrigerators out there and stacking them - if I could find them all in the same size...

Are there any folks around Calais who would be interested in getting together somewhere local for a rimfire day? Maybe make it a regular thing?

Hi all,

Im with some Dutch guys in Maine for a project and we went shooting at Maine Military supplies. Cool place! And we are wondering if there is something like that where you can rent guns and shoot outdoors? Any suggestions where to go?