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’ve provided a comprehensive overview of Maine gun laws. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Pine Tree State below.
Can You Carry a Gun 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 Concealed Carry Permit
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. These 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.
Stand Your Ground
Maine is a Castle Doctrine state. Maine’s law states that a person is justified in using deadly force upon another person:
- When the person reasonably believes it necessary and reasonably believes such other person is about to use unlawful, deadly force against the person or a third party, or is committing or about to commit a kidnapping, robbery or sexual assault against the person or a third party
- When the person reasonably believes that such other person has entered or is attempting to enter a dwelling place or has surreptitiously remained within a dwelling place without a license or privilege to do so, or that deadly force is necessary to prevent the infliction of bodily injury by such other person upon the person or a third party present in the dwelling place
Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements
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. However, federal and state purchaser prohibitions — including age restrictions — still apply. Background checks are required for private firearm sales that are publicly advertised, such as through online platforms or newspapers. A proposed three-day waiting period for firearms purchases is currently being challenged in court and is not in effect at this time.
Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. There are no magazine-capacity restrictions for handguns. In Maine, there is a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you are carrying a concealed firearm if you are doing so without a permit.
Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons
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.
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Where Can One Carry Concealed in Maine?
Understanding where you can and cannot carry a firearm is crucial for staying compliant with Maine’s gun laws. The state has specific locations where carrying a concealed handgun is allowed and places where it is strictly prohibited, even for permit holders. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure you are always carrying legally and responsibly.
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) (Note: 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
Can You Carry a Gun in Acadia National Park?
Possibly. Maine doesn’t honor all other states permits, and national parks are locations that are off-limits to those carrying under permitless carry in Maine. You must have a Maine permit or a resident permit from a state Maine honors to carry in Acadia.
Can You Have a Loaded Gun in Your Car in Maine?
Any person 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm may carry it concealed in a vehicle in Maine without a permit. However, if you are carrying under a permit or license that Maine recognizes, you must be at least 18 years old.
Can You Carry a Gun in a Bar in Maine?
Any person who is at least 21 years old and legally entitled to carry a firearm can carry a handgun in a bar, unless posted, provided he or she is not under the influence. However, if you are carrying under a permit or license that Maine recognizes, you must be at least 18 years old. Under the influence includes liquor or drugs or a combination of liquor and drugs or with an excessive alcohol level (BAC of 0.08 or greater) in a licensed establishment.
As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.
Ready to Learn More About Maine Gun Laws?
It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about Maine’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit the Maine gun laws page now…
Interested in obtaining your Maine concealed carry permit? Learn how to apply for a Maine concealed carry permit here with this step-by-step guide.
Find a concealed carry class in Maine today.
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The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing and, as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
