Supreme Court Declines Appeal on Maine Gun Law
The justices will not hear a challenge to Maine's 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Law
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The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal regarding the constitutionality of Maine's 72-hour firearm waiting period. This decision leaves in place a ruling from the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that found the state law to be likely constitutional.
Why it matters
The legislation was enacted by state lawmakers following the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting that left 18 people dead. Proponents argue the waiting period adds necessary safeguards, while legal challenges continue in lower federal courts.
The statute mandates a 72-hour waiting period for all firearm purchases in Maine. This law took effect without the signature of Governor Janet Mills following the tragedy in Lewiston.
The players
Janet Mills
She is the Governor of Maine who allowed the 72-hour firearm waiting period law to take effect without her signature.
U.S. Supreme Court
This is the highest federal court in the United States that declined to intervene in the appeal regarding Maine's firearm legislation.
The details
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously held that the waiting period does not block gun ownership but simply slows the purchase process. Litigation regarding the constitutionality of the mandate remains active in a lower federal court in Portland.
Timeline
The Lewiston mass shooting occurred in 2023.
A federal judge in Portland blocked the law in February 2025.
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law constitutional in April 2026.
The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal on October 19, 2026.
Political Context
The state's waiting period law is part of a broader push by some lawmakers to implement stricter firearm safety measures following high-profile mass shootings. Opponents frequently argue that such mandates infringe upon Second Amendment rights and contest the constitutionality of the wait times in federal court.
Residents of Maine seeking to purchase a firearm will continue to face the mandatory 72-hour waiting period during the processing of their acquisition. This legal status means that the current rules for buying guns remain unchanged while the case proceeds in lower court.
The takeaway
The Supreme Court's refusal to intervene does not signify a final judgment on the merits of the law. Residents should continue to follow existing purchase protocols while the legal challenge remains active in the lower courts.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing legal developments in the state, visit Maine Law.
Live Poll
Do you support mandatory waiting periods for firearm purchases in your state?
