Constitutional Carry in Maine

Overview

Maine is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state. Since October 15, 2015, most adults who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed handgun in public without obtaining a permit. Maine's permitting system remains available for those who want reciprocity with other states or who wish to carry in certain restricted locations.

Statutory Authority: Public Law 2015, Chapter 327 (127th Legislature, LD 652); codified at 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A.

Who May Carry Without a Permit

Under 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(2)(A-1), an individual may carry a concealed handgun in Maine without a permit if they meet all of the following:

• Are 21 years of age or older (or 18+ if on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or honorably discharged from service)
• Are not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm

Age Requirements Summary

Requirements for Permitless Carriers

Even though no permit is required, Maine law imposes three obligations on anyone carrying a concealed handgun without a permit:

1. Age and eligibility: Must be 21 or older (with the military exception noted above) and not prohibited from possessing firearms.
2. Firearms safety brochure acknowledgment: Upon purchase of a handgun, the buyer must sign — in the presence of the firearms dealer — an acknowledgment stating they have received the firearms safety brochure developed by the Maine State Police, and must retain that acknowledgment. (25 M.R.S. § 2003-A)
3. Duty to inform law enforcement: Upon contact with a law enforcement officer during a routine traffic stop, detention, or arrest, a person carrying concealed without a permit must immediately inform the officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun. (This duty applies only to permitless carriers; permit holders are not subject to the same immediate-disclosure obligation.)

Why Consider Obtaining a Permit Anyway?

Although not required, a Maine concealed handgun permit offers benefits:

• Reciprocity: A Maine permit is honored in many other states, allowing lawful concealed carry while traveling.
• Expanded carry locations: Permit holders may carry in certain locations (such as some state parks) where permitless carriers face restrictions.
• Employee vehicle protections: Under Maine law, an employer cannot prohibit an employee from storing a firearm in the employee's vehicle on employer property if the employee holds a valid concealed carry permit, the vehicle is locked, and the firearm is stored out of sight. This protection does not extend to permitless carriers.

Permits are issued by the Maine State Police or by local police departments / municipal authorities, depending on the applicant's residence. Maine is effectively a shall-issue state: applicants meeting statutory requirements (age, background check, training, etc.) must be issued a permit. Non-resident permits are also available.

General Carry Restrictions

Constitutional carry does not override location-based prohibitions. Carrying concealed is generally prohibited in:

• Courthouses
• Schools (K–12 and school property)
• Federal buildings and facilities
• Many state parks (permit holders have broader access)
• Posted private property (owners may prohibit firearms)
• Certain posted establishments serving alcohol (bars/restaurants)

Recent Legislative Activity (2025)

In April 2025, the Maine Legislature's Judiciary Committee considered — and ultimately rejected — four bills that would have modified the state's concealed carry framework. The committee voted to keep current constitutional carry law in place, including:

• LD 1049 (rejected 11–2): Would have altered the duty to inform law enforcement; current immediate-disclosure requirement retained.
• LD 998 (rejected 10–3): Would have removed the requirement that employees hold a valid permit to invoke vehicle-storage workplace protections; current permit-based protection retained.
• LD 829 (rejected, party-line): Would have clarified statutory language around carry in state parks.
• LD 424 (rejected 7–5): Would have lowered the permitless carry age from 21 to 18 for non-military applicants.

Rep. Adam Lee (D-Auburn) summarized the committee's view: "I think we do have a good balance right now in our constitutional carry law."

Key Statutes and Official Resources

• 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A — Threats with use of dangerous weapons; permitless concealed carry authority
• 25 M.R.S. § 2003-A — Firearms safety brochure acknowledgment requirement
• Public Law 2015, Chapter 327 (LD 652) — Constitutional carry enabling legislation (eff. Oct. 15, 2015)
• Maine State Police – Concealed Carry in Maine: https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/licenses-permits/concealed-carry-maine
• LD 652 Summary: https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/sites/maine.gov.dps.msp/files/inline-files/LD%20652%20Summary.pdf
• Public Law 2015, Chapter 327 full text: https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/sites/maine.gov.dps.msp/files/inline-files/Maine%20127%20-%20SP%20245%20item%2019.pdf
• Handgun use for self-defense guidance (MSP): https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/licenses-permits/concealed-carry-maine/self-defense

Practical Reminders

• Constitutional carry covers handguns only — different rules apply to other firearms.
• Always verify reciprocity before carrying in another state; permitless carry in Maine does not translate to legal carry elsewhere.
• Private property owners and posted locations may lawfully prohibit carry regardless of permit status.
• When traveling or storing a firearm in a vehicle, follow secure storage practices and local statutes governing transportation.

This guide is for general legal reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult the current text of Maine statutes or a licensed Maine attorney for specific questions.