Sec. 1. 25 MRSA §2043 is enacted to read:

§2043.__Operation of gun show

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Gun show" means any event or function:

(1)__The purpose of which is to facilitate the purchase and sale of firearms;

(2)__At which 3 or more vendors of firearms offer firearms for sale; and

(3)__At which 25 or more firearms are offered for sale.

B.__"Licensed firearms dealer" means any person who is licensed pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 923 (2002) as a firearms dealer.

C.__"National instant criminal background check" means the background check established under Section 103 of the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 103-159.

2.__Background checks at gun shows; liability of operator of gun show.__A firearm may not be sold or transferred at a gun show unless the seller or transferor conducts a national instant criminal background check of the purchaser or transferee.__Each sale or transfer made without the required national instant criminal background check is a violation of this section by the operator of the gun show.

3.__Operator of gun show.__The operator of a gun show shall:

A.__At all times during the gun show, conspicuously post and maintain signs at all places where admission tickets to the gun show are sold stating:

"A national instant criminal background check must be completed prior to each firearm sale or transfer, including a sale or transfer of a rifle or shotgun."

The operator of a gun show shall post signs stating the message described in this paragraph at all entrances to the gun show;