Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task you must undertake as an armed American. To help with that, we will be providing you with a summary of basic carry laws for several states. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in Maine, the Pine Tree State, below.

Permitting in Maine

Open and concealed carry are legal in Maine without a permit​. Any person 21 or older — or at least 18 and active duty or honorably discharged military — who can legally possess a firearm is allowed to carry openly or 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. Maine CCHs are issued to residents and non-residents that are at least 18 years old.

Maine is unique in that, although permitless carry is allowed, it also recognizes resident concealed handgun permits issued by another state if that state recognizes Maine’s resident CCHs. Permit holders from these states are allowed to carry in a few areas that individuals who carry under the permitless carry law cannot, including Acadia National Park.

Other Self-Defense Tools

Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit. They may be used in defense of a person or that person’s dwelling place. Pepper spray can be used to defend a person, premises, retaking property, preventing that taking or preventing criminal mischief.

Purchasing a Firearm

There is no permit required to purchase firearms nor is firearms registration required in the state of Maine. Private firearms transfers are not subject to a background check, although federal and state purchaser prohibitions, including age restrictions, still apply. There is no state-imposed waiting period for purchases.

Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. There are no magazine capacity restrictions for handguns. There is a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Maine if you are carrying without a permit.

Where Can One Carry in Maine?

Anyone that is legally allowed to possess a firearm can concealed carry in a vehicle without a permit in Maine.

Locations where a concealed handgun may be carried include:

  • Restaurants that serve alcohol, provided you are not under the influence (unless posted)
  • State/national parks and state/national forests with a permit (except for areas that are posted). Open carry is not allowed.
  • Wildlife Management Areas without a permit
  • Roadside rest areas

Locations where carry is prohibited, even for permit holders, include:

  • Schools
  • Courthouses
  • State Capitol area
  • Private property when prohibited by the property owner
  • Any hotel, lodging house or campground when prohibited by the innkeeper or campground owner
  • Wildlife sanctuaries
  • Labor disputes and strikes
  • Baxter State Park (Park rules)
  • Allagash Wilderness Waterway (Park rules)
  • Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation

Visit the USCCA Maine gun laws page now…