Bill
LD 1062
Eliminates background checks for private firearm transfers between individuals in Maine.
Overview
- Bill number and title: LD 1062, “An Act To Eliminate Background Checks For Private Sales Of Firearms”
- Status: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
- Introduced: March 12, 2025
- Sponsor: Rep. Poirier of Skowhegan
- Committee: Judiciary
- Legislative history: Referred to Judiciary; multiple work sessions and committee votes; ultimately placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) on June 13, 2025
Purpose and Intent
- The bill seeks to eliminate the background check requirement for private sales of firearms. In practical terms, it would remove the obligation for private parties to obtain a background check when transferring a firearm from one private individual to another, changing the current process established by Maine law.
Key Provisions (as indicated by fiscal and legislative materials)
- Core change: Repeal or suspension of background checks for private firearm transfers between individuals.
- Scope: Focuses on private sales, distinct from transfers occurring through licensed dealers or other designated channels (not detailed in the provided materials but implied by the private-sale focus).
- Implementation details are not provided in the excerpt; the fiscal note references general Fund and special revenue impacts rather than programmatic specifics.
Fiscal Impact (as described in the Fiscal Note)
- General Fund: Minor savings
- Revenue: Minor decreases in General Fund revenue and in Other Special Revenue Funds
- Government operations: Minor reduction in workload for courts due to a potential decrease in felony filings; minor impact on fines collection (revenue reductions)
- Overall: The fiscal note characterizes the financial effects as minor and administrative in nature, reflecting small shifts in workload and revenue rather than large budgetary changes.
Affected Parties and Impacts
- Direct effects: Individuals who engage in private firearm sales (sellers and buyers) in Maine, who would no longer be required to complete background checks under the bill.
- Public safety and enforcement: Potential indirect effects on criminal justice workload and revenue streams from fines, as suggested by the fiscal note.
- Government: Minor changes to court workload and revenue; small administrative adjustments within state funds.
Procedural Timeline and Status
- 3/12/2025: Referred to the Judiciary Committee
- 4/24/2025: Work session held; tabled
- 5/7/2025: Work session; divided report
- 6/11–6/12/2025: Committee reports; motions and roll calls; bill moved through several stages, including ONTP/OTP considerations
- 6/13/2025: Majority and Minority reports debated; ultimately placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
Notes
- The bill did not become law; it was defeated or otherwise laid aside and marked as “DEAD” in the Legislative Files.
- The fiscal note is labeled preliminary and reflects minor financial and workload effects rather than substantive programmatic costs.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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