Maine concealed carry laws and reciprocity

A person carrying a concealed handgun without a Maine permit must immediately inform a law enforcement officer on first contact during an arrest, detention, or routine traffic stop (25 M.R.S. 2003-A). The duty does not apply to holders of a Maine permit.

Public Law 2015, ch. 327 authorizes a person who may carry without a permit to possess a loaded pistol or revolver in a motor vehicle, per Maine State Police. The authorization covers handguns only.

Since October 15, 2015, a person 21 or older who is not prohibited from possessing firearms may carry a concealed handgun without a permit; ages 18-20 qualify only if on active military or National Guard duty or honorably discharged. Maine State Police states the law applies to residents and nonresidents.

The issuing authority shall issue a concealed handgun permit to an applicant 18 or older who meets statutory requirements and demonstrates good moral character, which must be judged in writing solely on records from governmental entities within the past 5 years (25 M.R.S. 2003).

The Chief of the State Police is the issuing authority for nonresident permits (25 M.R.S. 2002), and Maine State Police processes all out-of-state permit applications.

Maine's carry statute (25 M.R.S. 2001-A) restricts only threatening display and concealed carry, so open carry needs no permit; Maine State Police notes open carry is not permitted in state parks.

Possessing a firearm in violation of a posted prohibition at an establishment licensed for on-premises liquor consumption is a Class D crime (17-A M.R.S. 1057). Other private property owners may prohibit firearms, per Maine State Police.

In establishments licensed for on-premises liquor consumption, possessing a firearm is a crime if the premises are posted to prohibit it or if the person is under the influence or at 0.08 alcohol level or higher; a carry permit is no defense (17-A M.R.S. 1057).

Bureau of Parks and Lands rules may not bar concealed handgun carry by holders of a Maine permit or a reciprocal state's permit (12 M.R.S. 1803(7)); Maine State Police states a permit is required and open carry is not permitted in state parks. Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway have their own rules.

Places of worship are not among the prohibited locations listed by Maine State Police; as private property, the owner may prohibit firearms.

No Maine statute bars carrying on college or university campuses, but 20-A M.R.S. 10009 provides that the state firearms preemption law (25 M.R.S. 2011) does not limit the power of any college or university, including the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System and Maine Maritime Academy, to regulate possession of firearms on its property, and the institutions do so by policy.

Maine State Police lists courthouses (17-A M.R.S. 1058), state parks without a permit, Acadia National Park without a Maine or reciprocal resident permit, public and approved private school property (20-A M.R.S. 6552), federal buildings, the State Capitol area, posted liquor-licensed premises, wildlife sanctuaries, labor disputes and strikes, Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway as restricted, plus private property where the owner prohibits firearms.

Deadly force in self-defense is not justified if the person knows he or she can retreat with complete safety, except in the person's own dwelling when not the initial aggressor (17-A M.R.S. 108).

Maine's weapons chapter (17-A M.R.S. ch. 43) contains no magazine capacity limit, and the State preempts all local regulation of firearms, components and ammunition (25 M.R.S. 2011).

Maine's weapons chapter (17-A M.R.S. ch. 43) regulates machine guns, armor-piercing ammunition and undetectable firearms but does not ban semi-automatic rifles; local regulation is preempted by 25 M.R.S. 2011.

Maine has no state prohibition on suppressors, and 25 M.R.S. 2013 requires the chief law enforcement officer to provide federal NFA certification within 15 days unless disqualifying information exists.

Maine has no state prohibition on short-barreled rifles, and 25 M.R.S. 2013 requires the chief law enforcement officer to provide federal NFA certification within 15 days unless disqualifying information exists.

Maine has no state prohibition on short-barreled shotguns, and 25 M.R.S. 2013 requires the chief law enforcement officer to provide federal NFA certification within 15 days unless disqualifying information exists.