“Easier to buy ARs than Sudafed” – Shannon Watts

There has been a mass casualty event in Lewiston, Maine this evening. We don’t know the details, we don’t know if the killer is in custody, or much of anything else other than photos appear to show a white male with an AR.

Nonetheless, this has not stopped Shannon Watts of the Demanding Mommies from going ballistic on Twitter.

This year, Republicans in Maine rejected a bill @momsdemand fought for that would have required a 72-hour waiting period. THAT'S IT – 72 fucking hours was too much to ask the GOP to buy a gun.

IT IS HARDER TO BUY SUDAFED THAN AN AR-15 IN MAINEhttps://t.co/B2rvSOXJYM

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 26, 2023

She is peeved at the Republicans in Maine for standing in the way of a bill that required a 72 hour waiting period. She then makes the claim that it is easier to buy an AR in Maine than Sudafed.

Really, Shannon?

According to the law in Maine, you may be asked to show identification to the pharmacist. Notice the law says you “may” be asked not that you are “required” to show ID. By contrast, my home state requires ID.

However, neither Maine nor North Carolina require a FBI NICS check. Moreover, while they may ask more questions if you are under the age of 18, you are not required to be age 18 or older. The state also doesn’t treat you differently if you are between the ages of 18 and 21.

To buy an AR in Maine or any state without an AWB, you must:

• Pass a FBI NICS check or alternative (CCW, if accepted by ATF)
• Be age 18 or older
• Show a valid state or Federally issued picture ID with your street address on it
• Fill out a Form 4473
• Imposes a waiting period if between the ages of 18 and 21
• Face felony charges if you lie on the Form 4473

If Shannon Watts could not lie while rolling in the blood of victims, she would be lost.

UPDATE: It looks like Shannon deleted the first part of the post and then doubled down on her Sudafed claim. She did later repost the first part so I’ll try to get it up as well.

Doubling down on the Sudafed claim which is now in all caps as in SHOUTING.

IT IS HARDER TO BUY SUDAFED THAN AN AR-15 IN MAINE

IT IS HARDER TO BUY SUDAFED THAN AN AR-15 IN MAINE

IT IS HARDER TO BUY SUDAFED THAN AN AR-15 IN MAINE

IT IS HARDER TO BUY SUDAFED THAN AN AR-15 IN MAINE

IT IS HARDER TO BUY SUDAFED THAN AN AR-15 IN MAINE

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 26, 2023

This is what the first part of her original tweet included:

MAINE DOES NOT:

Require background checks on all gun sales
Have a red flag law
Prevent domestic abusers from accessing guns
Ban assault weapons
Limit magazine capacity
Require concealed carry permits
Restrict open carry
Have a waiting period

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 26, 2023

While Maine does not have an “official Red Flag” law, it does have what is referred to as a Yellow Flag law according to the Wall Street Journal.

Under the legislation, a medical practitioner is supposed to notify a law-enforcement agency in writing if a person “is found to present a likelihood of foreseeable harm.” Law enforcement is then supposed to take that information to a judge, who can authorize officers to temporarily take the person’s guns and prohibit him or her from acquiring other firearms.