Famed Trading Post May Leave Maine if Waiting Period Law Goes in Effect

Kittery Buying and selling Submit, a distinguished out of doors retailer and gun store in southern Maine, has introduced plans to maneuver its gun operations to New Hampshire in response to a brand new Maine regulation imposing a 72-hour ready interval on gun purchases. This choice comes as native gun rights teams put together to problem the laws in court docket.

The brand new regulation, which is about to take impact this summer season, would require consumers to attend three days earlier than receiving firearms bought by way of a Federally Firearms Licensee, with few exceptions. Critics argue this restriction unnecessarily burdens law-abiding residents and will endanger these in pressing want of self-defense.

Kittery Buying and selling Submit, a landmark that has served sportsmen since 1938 and is understood for attracting important vacationer site visitors, cited the regulation’s “irreversible penalties” on its enterprise, which generates over $11 million yearly from new and used firearm gross sales. In accordance with a press release from the shop, about 60% of those gross sales are to out-of-state residents.

“If this regulation is carried out, we can be compelled to maneuver our whole firearms enterprise to New Hampshire,” the retailer mentioned. The transfer may outcome within the lack of greater than 40,000 prospects yearly and price Maine greater than $400,000 in gross sales tax income, the corporate estimated. The potential multiplier impression on space companies is “unknown however drastic.”

Joshua Raines, vp of Gun House owners of Maine, expressed his disappointment, noting, “If one-third of their earnings goes to be drastically impacted by this regulation, then it makes monetary enterprise sense for them to maneuver over the border.” He added that the relocation may very well be detrimental not simply to the outlet but additionally to the broader neighborhood.

This growth adopted after what the NRA Institute for Legislative Motion described as “a barrage of procedural video games and inaction” by Governor Janet Mills, which led to the passage of the controversial LD 2238. Opponents, such because the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and Gun House owners of Maine, argue that the regulation locations pointless restrictions on Mainers’ Second Modification rights and plan to file a authorized problem.

The regulation, which was handed regardless of important opposition, is seen by some as influenced extra by nationwide anti-gun pursuits than by issues for Maine’s financial welfare or constitutional rights. Kittery Buying and selling Submit has pledged vigorous assist for the upcoming lawsuit, emphasizing the substantial implications the regulation holds not just for their enterprise however for the whole area.