Maine Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Maine have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Maine does not ban assault weapons or large-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Background checks are not required for private sales between individuals. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. All sales through licensed dealers require a federal background check. |
| Is Maine a Stand Your Ground state? | 🚫 No. Maine does not have a Stand Your Ground law; there is a duty to retreat in public unless you are in your home. |
| What kind of restrictions does Maine have? |
|
| Does Maine have any gun storage laws? | 🚫 No general storage requirement, but child endangerment laws may apply if a child accesses a firearm. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Maine? | ✅ Yes. There are no state-imposed limits on firearm quantity purchases. |
| Does Maine have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. Maine has a “Yellow Flag” law that allows temporary firearm removal following a mental health evaluation and judicial approval. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Maine? | 🚫 No. Maine does not require registration of firearms. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. No permit is required to purchase firearms. |
| Does Maine have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period. |
🚫 No. Maine does not ban assault weapons or large-capacity magazines.
🚫 No. Background checks are not required for private sales between individuals.
✅ Yes. All sales through licensed dealers require a federal background check.
🚫 No. Maine does not have a Stand Your Ground law; there is a duty to retreat in public unless you are in your home.
- ℹ️ Constitutional carry since 2015 (permitless concealed carry)
- ℹ️ No permit or registration required to own firearms
- ℹ️ No magazine limits or waiting periods
- ℹ️ Prohibited persons laws enforced federally and at state level
🚫 No general storage requirement, but child endangerment laws may apply if a child accesses a firearm.
✅ Yes. There are no state-imposed limits on firearm quantity purchases.
✅ Yes. Maine has a “Yellow Flag” law that allows temporary firearm removal following a mental health evaluation and judicial approval.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. Maine does not require registration of firearms.
🚫 No. No permit is required to purchase firearms.
🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Maine allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older. |
| Does Maine allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Permitless carry (constitutional carry) is legal for 21+ (or 18+ if in the military) since 2015. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Yes. Pepper spray and stun guns are legal for self-defense without a permit. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public places, private property (unless posted), and vehicles. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, and posted “no firearms” locations. |
| States honored? | ✅ Maine honors valid concealed handgun permits from several states with similar standards. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ States that recognize Maine’s concealed handgun permit include:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 4 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Concealed carry provisions apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ In Maine, concealed handgun permits are issued by the local issuing authority, which can be the Chief of the State Police or the municipal officers (or a designated chief of police). For residents of unorganized territories, the Chief of the State Police issues the permit. The State Police also handle permits for non-residents and professional investigators. |
✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 18 and older.
✅ Permitless carry (constitutional carry) is legal for 21+ (or 18+ if in the military) since 2015.
✅ Yes. Pepper spray and stun guns are legal for self-defense without a permit.
✅ Most public places, private property (unless posted), and vehicles.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, and posted “no firearms” locations.
✅ Maine honors valid concealed handgun permits from several states with similar standards.
✅ States that recognize Maine’s concealed handgun permit include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 4 Years.
🚫 No. Concealed carry provisions apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ In Maine, concealed handgun permits are issued by the local issuing authority, which can be the Chief of the State Police or the municipal officers (or a designated chief of police). For residents of unorganized territories, the Chief of the State Police issues the permit. The State Police also handle permits for non-residents and professional investigators.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Maine Leadership
- Born: December 30, 1947 (Farmington, ME)
- Term Started: January 2, 2019
- Previous Role: Attorney General of Maine
- Born: December 7, 1952 (Caribou, ME)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 1997
- Committees:
- Appropriations
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Intelligence
- Born: March 31, 1944 (Alexandria, VA)
- Term Started: Since January 3, 2013
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Intelligence