Maine enacted permitless carry (constitutional carry) effective October 15, 2015 (Public Law 2015, Chapter 327), codified at Title 25, § 2001-A. A...
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Maine enacted permitless carry (constitutional carry) effective October 15, 2015 (Public Law 2015, Chapter 327), codified at Title 25, § 2001-A. A person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a permit, subject to the following age requirements:
| Age Group | Permit Required? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 21 years or older | No | Must not be prohibited from possessing firearms |
| 18–20 years, active-duty military or honorably discharged | No | Must be serving in or honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard |
| 18–20 years, no military service | Yes | Must obtain a concealed handgun permit (CHP) |
| Under 18 | N/A — cannot carry concealed | — |
Firearm safety brochure requirement (§ 2001-A, subsection 3): When an individual who qualifies for permitless carry purchases a handgun, the dealer must provide a basic firearm safety brochure, and the purchaser must sign an acknowledgment of receipt.
If an individual is carrying a concealed handgun without a permit, they have a legal duty to immediately inform any law enforcement officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun when coming into contact with that officer during a routine traffic stop, detention, or arrest. This requirement does not apply to persons carrying with a valid permit.
Source: Maine State Police, "Concealed Carry in Maine" (maine.gov/dps/msp/licenses-permits/concealed-carry-maine)
Although permitless carry is available, Maine continues to issue concealed handgun permits under Title 25, § 2003. A permit provides significant advantages:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Maine State Police (for ~360 municipalities without local police) or local police departments |
| Application types | Resident new, resident renewal, non-resident new, non-resident renewal |
| Information required | Full name; current address and addresses for the prior 5 years; physical descriptors; responses to questions about pending charges, prior convictions, mental health status, substance use, protective orders, and other disqualifying factors |
| Processing time | 30 days for applicants who have been Maine residents for 5+ years; 60 days for non-residents or residents of less than 5 years |
| Permit duration | 4 years |
| Permit scope | Authorizes concealed carry of handguns throughout the State |
| Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident — original | $35 |
| Resident — renewal | $20 |
| Non-resident — original or renewal | $80 |
Note: The Maine State Police posted updated permit fees effective September 24, 2025 per a Permit Fee Statute Amendment Memo. The amounts above reflect the statutory text of § 2003; applicants should confirm current fees with the issuing authority.
Contact:
The following persons are prohibited from possessing firearms and therefore cannot carry concealed (with or without a permit):
| Category | Statute Reference | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Felony convictions | § 393(1)(A-1) | Crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more, including offenses involving firearms or dangerous weapons against persons |
| Domestic violence misdemeanors | § 393(1-B) | Specific Class D domestic violence convictions; prohibition lasts 5 years and may expire with no subsequent convictions |
| Domestic abuse protection orders | § 393(1)(D) | Subjects of court orders restricting harassment, stalking, or threatening of intimate partners |
| Juvenile adjudications | § 393(1)(C) | Conduct that would constitute a disqualifying adult conviction, particularly where bodily injury occurred |
| Involuntary mental health commitment | § 393(1)(E) | Persons involuntarily committed for likelihood of serious harm, found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity, or found incompetent to stand trial |
| Restricted person (mental health) | § 393(1)(E-1) | Designated restricted persons under mental health treatment laws |
| Progressive treatment orders | § 393(1)(E-2) | Directed not to possess dangerous weapons as part of court-ordered treatment |
| Extreme Risk Protection Orders | § 393(1)(E-3) | Subjects of ERPOs or emergency ERPOs (see below) |
| Fugitive from justice | § 393(1)(F) | Persons fleeing from justice |
| Unlawful substance use | § 393(1)(G) | Unlawful users of or persons addicted to controlled substances per federal law. Note: Cannabis use compliant with Maine state law does not disqualify. |
| Illegal/unauthorized aliens | § 393(1)(H) | Unauthorized immigrants or certain nonimmigrant visa holders |
| Dishonorable discharge | § 393(1)(I) | Discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions |
| Renounced citizenship | § 393(1)(J) | Former U.S. citizens who have renounced citizenship |
Restoration of rights:
Effective February 23, 2026, Maine enacted an ERPO system under Title 25, § 2244.
Source: Maine Judicial Branch (courts.maine.gov/help/erpo.html)
Firearms may not be carried (concealed or otherwise) in the following locations, regardless of permit status unless otherwise noted:
| Location | Statute |
|---|---|
| Courthouses | 17-A M.R.S. § 1058 |
| Schools | 20-A M.R.S. § 6552 |
| Federal buildings | 18 U.S.C. § 930 |
| State Capitol area | 25 M.R.S. § 2904 |
| State parks (open carry prohibited; concealed carry with permit only) | 12 M.R.S. § 1803 |
| Acadia National Park (permit required) | 12 M.R.S. § 756 |
| Wildlife sanctuaries | 12 M.R.S. § 12707 |
| Licensed alcohol establishments (if posted) | — |
| Baxter State Park | Park rules |
| Allagash Wilderness Waterway | Park rules |
| Labor dispute locations | — |
Maine recognizes valid concealed carry permits from other states for purposes of carrying in locations that require a permit (e.g., Acadia National Park), provided that state reciprocates with Maine. Travelers should verify current reciprocity status with both their home state and Maine before traveling.
A Maine CHP may be recognized by other states with reciprocity agreements. Permitless carry status in Maine is not recognized by other states — a Maine CHP is necessary for interstate reciprocity.
In April 2025, the Maine Legislature's Judiciary Committee considered and rejected four bills proposing changes to concealed carry laws (132nd Legislature):
| Bill | Proposal | Committee Vote | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| LD 1049 | Repeal the duty-to-inform requirement for permitless carriers during law enforcement encounters (later amended to require officer to ask first) | 11–2 against | Rejected |
| LD 998 | Remove requirement that employees have a valid CHP to store a firearm in a locked vehicle on employer premises | 10–3 against | Rejected |
| LD 829 | Clarify that concealed carry is permitted in state parks for persons not otherwise prohibited | Party-line vote against | Rejected |
| LD 424 | Lower the permitless carry age from 21 to 18 (without military service) | 7–5 against | Rejected |
The committee's bipartisan consensus was that Maine's existing constitutional carry framework strikes an appropriate balance. As Rep. Adam Lee (D-Auburn) stated: "I think we do have a good balance right now in our constitutional carry law."
Source: Maine Morning Star, April 4, 2025
| Statute | Description |
|---|---|
| Title 25, § 2001-A | Permitless (constitutional) carry provision — effective October 15, 2015 |
| Title 25, § 2003 | Concealed handgun permit eligibility, application, fees, and duration |
| Title 15, § 393 | Persons disqualified from possessing firearms |
| Title 25, § 2244 | Extreme Risk Protection Orders (effective February 23, 2026) |
| 17-A M.R.S. § 1058 | Prohibition on firearms in courthouses |
| 20-A M.R.S. § 6552 | Prohibition on firearms in schools |
| 12 M.R.S. § 1803 | State park firearm restrictions |
| 12 M.R.S. § 756 | Acadia National Park firearm restrictions |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2904 | State Capitol area restrictions |
| 12 M.R.S. § 12707 | Wildlife sanctuary restrictions |
| 18 U.S.C. § 930 | Federal building firearm prohibition |
| 18 U.S.C. § 926A (FOPA) | Federal safe passage for interstate firearm transport |
| 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C (LEOSA) | Federal concealed carry for qualified law enforcement officers |
This page covers one part of our Maine concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Maine guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.