ATTENTION GUN OWNERS & FUTURE GUN OWNERS: GET CONCEALED CARRY CERTIFIED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
1.3M
STATE POPULATION
27K
LICENSES ISSUED
2%
LICENSE PERCENTAGE
50
STATES HONORED
18
MINIMUM AGE TO CC
4
YEARS LICENSE VALID
29
RECIPROCATING STATES
YES
CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY
1
CC CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS
If you live in Maine and want to become a responsible gun owner, you need a concealed coalition certification. To obtain certification to get your concealed carry permit, you need an education partner you can trust.
Concealed Coalition has trained over a million U.S. citizens on how to carry their firearms and other weapons safely and effectively. Contact us via phone at (207) 241-4437 or go online for local training to get your Maine concealed carry permit.
Maine is a shall-issue, permitless carry state. Concealed weapons permits are issued at the state level by the Department of Public Safety through the Maine State Police.
Shall-issue means that the issuing authority, county sheriff, or police department is compelled to issue a permit if the applicant passes the basic requirements set out by state law. The Maine permitless carry status encompasses constitutional carry and means no state permit is required to carry a handgun.
Maine is fully unrestricted. There is also no permit, background check, or firearms registration required to buy a handgun from a private individual.
Open carry is legal in Maine without a permit for any person 21 or older. It is also legal for individuals who are at least 18 and on active duty or who have been honorably discharged from the military. Those who can legally possess a firearm are allowed to carry their firearm openly.
If you’ve ever wondered, Can you conceal carry in Maine, here’s your answer. Concealed carry is legal in Maine without a permit for any person 21 or older. It is also legal if you are at least 18 and on active duty or have been honorably discharged from the military. Those who can legally possess a firearm are allowed to carry their firearm concealed.
Maine is a Castle Doctrine state. However, there is no stand your ground law, so an individual has a duty to retreat outside of his or her dwelling place. Someone in possession or control of a premise or someone who is licensed or privileged to be there is justified in:
Using non-deadly force upon another person is permitted when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or terminate the commission of criminal trespass by such other person in or upon such premises.
Using deadly force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent an attempt by the other person to commit arson.
Using deadly force upon another person when the person reasonably believes:
“Dwelling place” refers to a structure that is adapted for overnight accommodation of persons or sections of any structure similarly adapted. A dwelling place does not include garages or other structures, whether adjacent or attached to the dwelling place, that is used solely for the storage of property or structures formerly used as dwelling places that are uninhabitable.
“Premises” includes, but is not limited to, lands, private ways, and any buildings or structures thereon.
A person is justified in using a reasonable degree of non-deadly force upon another person in order to defend the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful, non-deadly force by such another person, and the person may use a degree of such force that the person reasonably believes to be necessary for such purpose. However, such force is not justifiable if:
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:
However, a person is not justified in using deadly force if he or she provoked the encounter or knows that he or she or the third party can, with complete safety:
It is vitally important for all Maine firearms owners to remember that firearms laws can and do change. As a result, legislators or law enforcement agencies may alter any regulations listed below at any time. Current and prospective CC licensees should regularly visit the attorney general’s website for the latest information.
Contact us today at (207) 241-4437 or email to discuss your concealed carry Maine permit educational needs.
Quick Links
QUESTION
ANSWER
Maine issues firearm permits for reciprocity purposes. Resident permits issued by the following states will be recognized in Maine, and Maine permits held by Maine residents will be recognized in these states; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.
The state of Maine honors the permits of all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico.
Maine offers resident and non-resident permits. If indicated with “Resident only” below, that state only honors Maine resident permits (and not those issued to non-residents). These states include Arizona, Alaska, Florida (resident only), Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan (resident only), Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota (resident only), Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Many people want to know, “Can you carry a gun in Maine without a permit?” and the answer is yes, Maine is a permitless carry state.
Yes, without a permit. Any person who is at least 21 years old and legally entitled to possess a firearm can open carry.
Maine is a shall-issue state. Shall issue means that as long as an applicant passes the basic requirements set out by state law, the issuing authority county sheriff or police department is compelled to issue a permit.
Any person 18 years or older can carry with a Maine Permit to Carry Concealed Handguns or a permit from a state that Maine recognizes. Any active duty member of the military or honorably discharged 18 years old minimum is allowed to carry a concealed handgun.
No. You are not allowed to carry concealed weapons that are not handguns.
Yes. It is legal in Maine to purchase and possess stun guns and tasers without a permit. They are allowed to be used in defense of a person or that person’s dwelling place.
Yes. It is legal to purchase and use disabling chemicals in Maine. They are allowed to be used to defend a person, premises, retaking property, preventing that taking, or preventing criminal mischief.
No. Maine does not restrict magazine capacity for handguns.
Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited.
QUESTION
ANSWER
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, although open carry is prohibited in state parks.
Yes, as long as you are not under the influence or unless posted.
Not if the hotel owner prohibits it. Hotels have their own policies and procedures so you should contact the hotel to find out.
As long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible, an employer or an agent of an employer may not prohibit an employee who has a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm from keeping a firearm in their vehicle.
QUESTION
ANSWER
Yes, you have a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Maine if you are carrying without a permit. No, if you are concealed carrying with a permit.
Yes. If entering a location that is clearly posted, they are guilty of criminal trespassing.
Yes. All gun laws are under state preemption.
No.
No, Maine law has no definition of brandishing. However, no one is permitted to display a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto, or another dangerous or deadly weapon usually in the attack on or defense of a person in a threatening manner.
It is not permitted to conceal carry a firearm in a licensed establishment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or a combination of alcohol or drugs, or with an excessive level of alcohol (BAC of 0.08 or greater).
Yes. Maine allows non-resident permitting.
No. The public has no access to Maine’s concealed carry registry.
QUESTION
ANSWER
A permit is not required to purchase a handgun in Maine.
No. Private firearms transfers do not require a background check. However, federal guidelines still apply.
No.
There is no waiting period to buy a handgun in Maine.
Gun owners are not required to register their handguns in Maine.
You must be at least 18 years old to transport or concealed carry in Maine.
Yes, permitless carry is allowed for anyone meeting the legal requirements in Maine.
Quick Links
Requirements:
Fees:
New permits $35
Renewals $20
$2 for duplicates, change of address, or name changes.
Valid For:
4 years
Processing Time:
30 days for a resident of 5 or more years and 60 days for nonresidents or residents of less than 5 years.
Applications:
Download and complete the following application form.
Non-Resident Concealed Carry License:
Non-residents use the same process as residents with this non-resident application.
Name & Address Changes:
You must notify local authorities of changes of address within 30 days of moving. Waiting more than 30 days will make your permit invalid and you must start again as a new applicant at full cost. If you currently hold a valid firearm permit issued through the Maine State Police (MSP):
Lost or Stolen Licenses:
Contact your local State Police Office.
Residency Changes:
Maine issues resident and non-resident permits. You can apply as a resident once you have a voter’s registration card, a Maine driver’s license, or a state ID. If a person with a Maine permit to carry concealed handguns establishes residency in another state, the permit is valid provided the procedures are followed for changing name and address.
Step One:
Read Maine’s Laws related to Permits to Carry Concealed Handguns.
Step Two:
Download and complete the application (link to the application in the previous section).
Step Three:
Mail your completed application to the state police, or deliver in person. You will need the following:
Step Four:
You will be notified within 30 days whether your application has been approved or denied.
Step One:
Step Two:
Mail your completed application to the state police, or deliver to your local police station in-person. You will need the following:
Step Three:
You will be notified when your application is approved.
Our network of firearms professionals are holding training classes and in-person certification courses throughout Maine. Use our certification locator to enroll in an upcoming firearms training course near you today, or visit our Maine concealed carry permitting resource for online certification.
If you have any questions that you don’t see answered here — let us know! Just email [email protected] and we will be sure to get your question resolved promptly. Your feedback matters to us, and we greatly appreciate you helping us make this page the best possible resource for responsible gun owners! The information contained on this website is provided by Concealed Coalition as a service to its members and the public. The information on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our goal is to provide thorough, up-to-date information regarding concealed carry laws, reciprocity, and requirements. We make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. At the time of publishing the information contained in this page was correct and up-to-date. However, laws are constantly changing, and as a result, nothing contained on this website should be considered legal advice. Please consult a lawyer should you require legal advice regarding concealed carry and gun laws in your state. Did you know our membership includes a pre-paid legal protection plan? Sign up today and gain access to 24/7 coverage from a team of legal experts.
*Legal protection plans available in select states.
We are located at
848 North Rainbow Blvd, #508Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
(800) 805-2238
