Simone Lawson
Maine is a shall-issue, permitless carry state, meaning that concealed carry is legal without a permit for those over 21 or members of the military over 18. The state's constitution states that Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned. Maine issues permits for reciprocity purposes, allowing individuals to carry concealed handguns in other states that recognize Maine's permit. These permits are issued by the local police or state police, and require a firearms training course. While Maine is a permitless carry state, there are still restrictions on where firearms can be carried, including schools, courthouses, and federal buildings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Permit requirement | No permit is needed to carry a firearm (open or concealed) in Maine, provided the carrier is legally allowed to own a gun and is over 21 or a member or veteran of the military and over 18. |
| Concealed carry permits | Concealed carry permits are still available and are needed to carry weapons in other states with which Maine has reciprocity agreements. |
| Open carry | Allowed without a permit, except in federal buildings and establishments licensed to serve alcohol. |
| Firearm registration | No registration is required to buy a handgun from a private individual. |
| Firearm possession restrictions | Schools, courthouses, state parks, Acadia National Park, federal buildings, state capitol area, private property when prohibited by the property owner, establishments licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption. |
| Firearm training | A firearms training course approved by the state is required for a concealed carry permit. |
| Age requirement | Individuals must be 21 or older to carry a firearm without a permit. Individuals who are 18-20 years old and without military qualifications must have a permit to carry concealed. |
| Municipal laws | Municipalities may not sue firearm or ammunition manufacturers for damages relating to the lawful design, manufacturing, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition. |
| Employer laws | Employers may not prohibit employees from keeping firearms in their vehicles if the employee has a valid permit and the firearm is in their locked vehicle. Employers may prohibit firearms on their premises. |
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What You'll Learn
Concealed carry permits are still available in Maine
Maine is a constitutional carry state, meaning that a permit is not required to carry a firearm, either concealed or in the open. However, concealed carry permits are still available in Maine and are needed to carry a firearm in various other states with which Maine has reciprocity agreements. These permits are issued by the Department of Public Safety through the Maine State Police, and the local police also issue permits.
To obtain a concealed carry permit in Maine, an applicant must be a resident of the state for at least five years and demonstrate knowledge of handgun safety. This can be done by submitting proof of completion of a handgun safety course offered by a law enforcement agency or a certified firearms instructor. Alternatively, the applicant may personally demonstrate knowledge of handgun safety to an issuing authority. The permit is valid for four years, and renewals are also valid for four years.
The process for obtaining a concealed carry permit in Maine includes completing a detailed application that includes any record of previous issuances, refusals, or revocations of any concealed weapons permits. The applicant must also answer questions regarding age restrictions, pending felony charges, felony convictions, violent crimes, juvenile offenses, mental disorders, and drug use. The issuing authority will then obtain relevant information from the Department of Health and Human Services, courts, law enforcement agencies, and the military.
Although Maine is a constitutional carry state, there are still restrictions on where a firearm can be carried. For example, it is illegal to possess a firearm in courthouses, state parks, schools, federal buildings, and private property when prohibited by the property owner. Additionally, firearms are not allowed in establishments licensed to serve alcohol unless the carrier is in a vehicle in the parking lot.
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Permits allow concealed carry in other states
Maine is a "shall-issue", permitless carry state, meaning that no permit, background check, or firearms registration is required to buy a handgun from a private individual. Open and concealed carry are legal in Maine without a permit. However, concealed carry permits are still available and are needed to legally carry weapons in various other states with which Maine has reciprocity agreements. Maine issues permits for reciprocity purposes, and these permits are issued to residents and non-residents who are at least 18 years old.
Maine has a permitting system in place, and there are several reasons why one might choose to obtain a concealed handgun permit. Holders of Maine concealed handgun permits are allowed to carry concealed handguns in some other states. Additionally, a permit allows individuals under 21 to carry a concealed weapon. A permit is also required for individuals who are 18-20 years old and without the referenced military qualifications.
To obtain a Maine concealed handgun permit, applicants must demonstrate knowledge of handgun safety. They can do this by submitting proof that they have completed a course that included handgun safety offered by a law enforcement agency or a certified firearms instructor. Alternatively, applicants can personally demonstrate knowledge of handgun safety to an issuing authority if they are willing to evaluate the applicant's personal demonstration of such knowledge.
Maine concealed carry permits are valid for four years, and renewals are also valid for four years. Maine honors concealed carry permits from several other states. It is the responsibility of each person holding a Maine concealed handgun permit to check with the state/jurisdiction they are traveling to determine whether that state honors Maine's permit and whether there are any restrictions or conditions imposed on out-of-state permits and the carrying of firearms.
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Maine's permitless carry law applies to both residents and non-residents
Maine is a constitutional carry state, meaning it is a "shall-issue, permitless carry state". This means that, as of October 15, 2015, a permit is not needed to carry a firearm—either concealed or open—in the state, provided that the carrier is legally allowed to own a gun and is over 21 or a member or veteran of the military and over 18.
Maine offers both resident and non-resident permits. The law applies to both residents of Maine and non-residents. A person who is 18-20 years old and without the referenced military qualifications must have a permit to carry concealed. Maine issues permits for reciprocity purposes. Maine Permits to Carry Concealed Handguns (CCHs) require a firearms training course that has been approved by the state. CCHs are issued to residents and non-residents who are at least 18 years old.
However, it is important to note that the law does not change where a person may carry or who may possess a firearm. It is still illegal to possess a firearm in certain places, including schools, courthouses, and establishments serving alcohol, if there is a "no firearms" sign posted. Additionally, it is illegal to carry a firearm on these premises while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Firearm laws can be complex, and it is the responsibility of each person holding a Maine concealed handgun permit to check with the state or jurisdiction they are traveling to or from to determine whether that state honors Maine's permits and whether there are any restrictions or conditions imposed on out-of-state permits and the carrying of firearms.
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Some areas are off-limits to firearms, including schools and courthouses
Maine is a constitutional carry state, meaning that any person over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm without a license or permit. However, there are some areas where firearms are prohibited, even for those with a valid concealed carry permit. These include schools and school premises, within 500 feet of any school grounds (except for school-operated gun ranges), and courthouses.
The state's gun laws also prohibit firearms in bars, nightclubs, hotels, bowling alleys, or any business with a liquor license. Additionally, firearms are not permitted in state parks, federal buildings, the state capitol area, wildlife sanctuaries, and certain protected natural areas such as Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Private property owners can also prohibit firearms on their premises.
It is important to note that Maine has its own list of individuals who are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms, which includes those with felony convictions, domestic abusers under short-term emergency orders, and individuals who have been involuntarily committed or found to be a danger to themselves or others.
While Maine is a constitutional carry state, it does not honor all other states' permits. For example, to carry a firearm in Acadia National Park, individuals must have a Maine permit or a resident permit from a state that Maine recognizes.
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Employers may prohibit firearms on their premises
In Maine, constitutional carry allows individuals to openly carry a firearm without a permit. However, there are still restrictions on where and when firearms can be carried. One important consideration is that employers have the right to prohibit firearms on their premises.
As per Maine's constitutional carry law,
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Frequently asked questions
Any person 21 or older, who can legally possess a firearm, is allowed to carry a gun openly or concealed in Maine. People aged between 18 and 20 years old with military qualifications must have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
To get a gun permit in Maine, an applicant must demonstrate knowledge of handgun safety. They can do this by submitting proof of completion of a handgun safety course offered by a law enforcement agency or a certified firearms instructor. Alternatively, the applicant can personally demonstrate knowledge of handgun safety to an issuing authority.
Open carry is not lawful in federal buildings, schools, state parks, Acadia National Park, courthouses, state capitol area, private property when prohibited by the property owner, and establishments licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption.
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