Beckwith v. Frey
Cert Denied — Oct 19, 2026No. 26-258
Can Maine make every gun buyer wait 72 hours — even after passing a background check?
What happened
Maine adopted the waiting period after the October 2023 Lewiston shootings. A federal judge blocked it in February 2025, but on April 3, 2026 the First Circuit lifted that order, holding that rules about buying a gun don't regulate conduct covered by the Second Amendment's text. Maine waived its response; Montana and 24 other states filed in support of the challengers. Denied October 19, 2026.
What it means going forward
Maine's waiting period stays in effect. Lower courts disagree on whether purchase restrictions are covered by the Second Amendment at all, so the question is likely to return in another case.
Key dates
- Oct 19, 2026 Cert denied — Maine's waiting period stands
- Sep 30, 2026 Distributed for October 16 conference
- Aug 25, 2026 Petition filed with the Court
- Apr 3, 2026 1st Circuit lifted the order blocking Maine's law