Maine is a permitless (constitutional) carry state. Since October 15, 2015, eligible individuals may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Maine...
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Maine is a permitless (constitutional) carry state. Since October 15, 2015, eligible individuals may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Maine also issues optional concealed handgun permits that provide additional privileges, including reciprocity recognition in other states and carry authorization in certain locations where permitless carry is not allowed.
The primary statutes governing concealed carry are found in Title 25, Chapter 252 (Permits to Carry Concealed Handguns) of the Maine Revised Statutes, specifically 25 M.R.S. §§ 2001-A through 2006.
Effective October 15, 2015, Public Law 2015, Chapter 327 (LD 652), titled "An Act To Authorize the Carrying of Concealed Handguns without a Permit," allows a person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. This law also authorizes a person to possess a loaded pistol or revolver while in a motor vehicle, trailer, or other vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle (25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(2)(A-1)).
Key provisions of permitless carry:
Firearm safety brochure requirement: Upon purchase of a handgun, a person carrying under the permitless carry exception must sign an acknowledgment in the presence of the firearm dealer confirming they were provided a basic firearm safety brochure (25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(3); § 2012(2)(A)). The Maine Department of Public Safety posts the brochure, acknowledgment form, and a list of certified safety programs on its website.
| Age | Permitless Carry Eligibility | Permit Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 21+ | Yes, if not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm | Yes |
| 18–20 with qualifying military service | Yes — must be on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard, or be an honorably discharged veteran, and not otherwise prohibited | Yes |
| 18–20 without military service | No — must obtain a permit to carry concealed | Yes (with permit) |
| Under 18 | No | No |
Source: 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(2)(A-1); Maine State Police guidance
Although permitless carry is legal, Maine continues to issue concealed handgun permits under 25 M.R.S. § 2003. Permits remain valuable because they:
Issuing authorities: Permits are issued by the chief of police of the municipality where the applicant resides, or by the Maine State Police for towns where the State Police serve as the issuing authority. The State Police maintains a town listing of municipalities for which they issue permits. Assignment of issuing authority is governed by 25 M.R.S. §§ 2002-A and 2002-B.
Permit types: Maine issues both resident and non-resident concealed handgun permits. Statistics on issued permits (including municipality of residence, issuance date, and expiration date) are published by the Maine State Police pursuant to 25 M.R.S. § 2006(2).
Permit revocation and suspension: Permits may be revoked or suspended under 25 M.R.S. § 2005 (revocation; change of residence) and § 2005-A (suspension upon refusal). A conviction under the firearms-in-liquor-establishments statute (17-A M.R.S. § 1057) results in mandatory permit revocation and a 5-year disqualification from obtaining a new permit.
A valid concealed handgun permit authorizes carry in certain locations where unpermitted persons may not carry:
| Location | Requirement | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park | Maine permit required (or a resident permit from a state that recognizes Maine permits, per 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(2)(F)) | 12 M.R.S. § 756 |
| State Parks | Permit required; open carry is not permitted | 12 M.R.S. § 1803(7) |
| Regular archery hunting (deer only) | Permit required to carry a handgun while archery hunting | 12 M.R.S. § 11403 |
| Employee vehicles on employer premises | Permit required; vehicle must be locked and firearm must not be visible | 26 M.R.S. § 600 |
It is illegal to possess a firearm in the following locations, with very limited exceptions:
| Location | Statute |
|---|---|
| Courthouses | 17-A M.R.S. § 1058 |
| State Parks (without a permit) | 12 M.R.S. § 1803(6), (7); Bureau of Parks and Lands Rules Chapter 1 |
| Acadia National Park (without a Maine permit or recognized state permit) | 12 M.R.S. § 756 |
| Schools | 20-A M.R.S. § 6552 |
| Federal buildings | 18 U.S.C. § 930 |
| State Capitol area | 25 M.R.S. § 2904; DPS Rule Chapter 41 |
| Private property when prohibited by the owner | — |
| Establishments licensed for on-premises liquor consumption if posted to prohibit firearms; also illegal to carry while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs regardless of posting | 17-A M.R.S. § 1057 |
| Wildlife sanctuaries | 12 M.R.S. § 12707 |
| Labor disputes and strikes | 32 M.R.S. § 9412(5) |
| Baxter State Park | Park rules |
| Allagash Wilderness Waterway | Waterway rules |
Detailed rules apply to carrying firearms in establishments licensed for on-premises liquor consumption:
A person may be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under state law, federal law, or both. Prohibitions include:
Source: Maine State Police concealed carry guidance; federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g))
Maine recognizes concealed handgun permits from other states on a reciprocal basis. Under 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(2)(F), a person may carry a concealed handgun in Maine with a valid permit issued by their state of residence, if that state honors Maine's resident concealed handgun permits.
This reciprocity also extends to Acadia National Park: a resident permit from a state that recognizes Maine's resident permits is valid for concealed carry within the park.
Under 25 M.R.S. § 2003-A, a person carrying a concealed handgun without a permit must immediately inform any law enforcement officer during a routine stop, detention, or arrest that they are carrying a concealed handgun. This requirement does not apply to permitted carriers.
In April 2025, the Maine Legislature's Judiciary Committee rejected a proposal (LD 1049) to repeal or modify this duty-to-inform requirement. The committee voted 11-2 to maintain the existing law.
In April 2025, the Maine Legislature's 132nd Session Judiciary Committee considered and rejected four proposals to amend concealed carry laws:
| Bill | Proposal | Committee Vote |
|---|---|---|
| LD 1049 | Repeal duty-to-inform requirement for permitless carriers during law enforcement stops | Rejected 11-2 |
| LD 998 | Remove permit requirement for employees storing firearms in vehicles on employer premises | Rejected 10-3 |
| LD 829 | Clarify that concealed carry is permitted in state parks without a permit | Rejected (party-line) |
| LD 424 | Lower permitless carry age from 21 to 18 (without military service requirement) | Rejected 7-5 |
All four proposals were voted down, with lawmakers citing a "good balance" in existing constitutional carry law.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A | Threatening display of or carrying concealed weapon; exceptions; permitless carry |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2002 | Definitions |
| 25 M.R.S. §§ 2002-A, 2002-B | Assignment of issuing authority |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2003 | Permits to carry concealed handguns |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2003-A | Duty to inform law enforcement |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2004 | Penalty |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2005 | Revocation; change of residence |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2005-A | Suspension of permit upon refusal |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2006 | Access to information and proceedings |
| 17-A M.R.S. § 1057 | Possession of firearms in liquor establishments |
| 17-A M.R.S. § 1058 | Firearms in courthouses |
| 20-A M.R.S. § 6552 | Firearms in schools |
| 12 M.R.S. § 756 | Acadia National Park |
| 12 M.R.S. § 1803 | State parks |
| 12 M.R.S. § 11403 | Archery hunting |
| 12 M.R.S. § 12707 | Wildlife sanctuaries |
| 26 M.R.S. § 600 | Employee vehicles on employer premises |
| 32 M.R.S. § 9412(5) | Labor disputes and strikes |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2904 | State Capitol area |
| PL 2015, c. 327 (LD 652) | Constitutional carry law (effective Oct. 15, 2015) |
Disclaimer: Firearms laws are complex. This summary is necessarily an overview and cannot be used as a defense to illegal activity involving firearms or ammunition. The Maine State Police advises that persons contact qualified private counsel or review applicable law with specific questions regarding whether they can legally possess firearms or ammunition.
This page covers one part of our Maine concealed carry guide.
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