Bill > LD1174

This bill establishes a legal framework for gun shops to safely store firearms temporarily through a firearm hold agreement, with specific provisions to limit the gun shop's liability. Under the bill, a firearm hold agreement is a written contract where a gun shop takes physical possession of a lawfully owned firearm for an agreed-upon period, with the shop required to contact the firearm owner every six months to maintain communication. The bill provides immunity from legal action for gun shops that return firearms to their owners at the end of the hold agreement, as long as the shop's conduct is lawful. The bill also requires the Department of Public Safety to create a standard firearm hold agreement form by January 1, 2026, which must include provisions for designating an immediate family member or another legally authorized individual who can take possession of the firearm if the original owner dies during the agreement period. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety is tasked with developing rules to implement this section, and the bill explicitly states that no action can be brought against a person for refusing to enter into a firearm hold agreement.

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https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1174&snum=132