The state is asking a federal judge to deny a gun rights group’s attempt to block Maine’s three-day waiting period law for firearms.

The Press Herald reports a motion to allow the waiting period to continue was filed by the Maine Attorney General ‘s office.

Gun rights groups claim the three-day waiting period violates the U.S. Constitution and has been detrimental to gun shows and gun sellers, costing them sales that went to neighboring states.

The state contends the Second Amendment protects the right to keep arms but does not apply to gun sales unless it prohibits the bearing of arms.

The 72-hour waiting period equals the time required to run a federally mandated background check.

The Maine Legislature passed the law following the Lewiston mass shootings. The waiting period would not have affected those shootings because the gunman already had access to firearms.

Lawyers for firearms advocates have until January 17th to respond to the state’s motion. They’re attempting to block the law until their lawsuit is settled in court.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Maine by The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, Gun Owners of Maine, and other groups.