Maine is a constitutional carry state as of October 15, 2015 (Public Law 2015, Chapter 327, LD 652), allowing persons 21 and older — or those 18+ with...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Maine is a constitutional carry state as of October 15, 2015 (Public Law 2015, Chapter 327, LD 652), allowing persons 21 and older — or those 18+ with qualifying military service — to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm. However, regardless of permit status, firearms possession remains illegal in numerous locations under state and federal law.
The following locations are prohibited for firearms possession, with some very limited exceptions, as enumerated by the Maine State Police and codified in Maine statutes:
| Location | Statute | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Courthouses | 17-A M.R.S. § 1058 | Firearms are prohibited in courthouse buildings |
| Schools (K-12) | 20-A M.R.S. § 6552 | Possession of a firearm on public school property or property of an approved private school is prohibited; discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of school property is also prohibited. Violation is a Class E crime. |
| State Parks | 12 M.R.S. § 1803(6), (7) and Bureau of Parks and Lands Rules Ch. 1 | Firearms possession is restricted; a concealed carry permit is required (open carry is not permitted even with a permit) |
| Acadia National Park | 12 M.R.S. § 756 | A Maine concealed carry permit is required. Per 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(2)(F), Maine recognizes a concealed handgun permit issued by another state to its resident if that state recognizes Maine's resident permits — a qualifying out-of-state resident permit is valid for concealed carry within Acadia |
| State Capitol Area | 25 M.R.S. § 2904 and DPS Rule Chapter 41 | Restrictions apply in the State House and Capitol complex |
| Establishments Licensed for On-Premises Liquor Consumption | 17-A M.R.S. § 1057 | Firearms are prohibited if the premises are posted to prohibit or restrict possession. Even where not posted, it is always illegal to possess a firearm on these premises while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs (BAC ≥ 0.08 or impaired). A concealed carry permit is not a defense. Violation is a Class D crime, and conviction results in permit revocation and a 5-year disqualification from obtaining a new permit. |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries | 12 M.R.S. § 12707 | Firearms are prohibited in designated wildlife sanctuaries as listed in the statute |
| Labor Disputes and Strikes | 32 M.R.S. § 9412(5) | Restrictions on firearms apply during labor disputes |
| Baxter State Park | Park Rules | Firearms are prohibited by park authority rules |
| Allagash Wilderness Waterway | AWW Rules | Firearms are prohibited by waterway rules |
| Private Property | Common law / trespass statutes | Property owners may prohibit firearms on their premises. Carrying in violation of a posted notice or a direct request to leave may result in criminal trespass charges. |
| Federal Buildings | 18 U.S.C. § 930 | Federal prohibition on firearms in federal facilities applies regardless of state law |
The school firearms prohibition does not apply to:
Certain locations allow concealed carry only with a valid permit. Persons carrying without a permit (under constitutional carry) may not carry in these locations:
| Location | Statute | Permit Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park | 12 M.R.S. § 756 | Maine permit or recognized out-of-state resident permit required |
| State Parks | 12 M.R.S. § 1803(7) | Permit required; open carry not permitted |
| Regular Archery Hunting (Deer Only) | 12 M.R.S. § 11403 | Permit required to carry a handgun while archery hunting deer |
| Employees' Vehicles on Work Premises | 26 M.R.S. § 600 | Permit required; vehicle must be locked and firearm must not be visible |
A person carrying a concealed handgun without a permit has a legal duty, when coming into contact with any law enforcement officer during a routine stop, detention, or arrest, to immediately inform the officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun. This duty does not apply to permit holders.
Regardless of location, the following categories of persons are prohibited from owning, possessing, or having control of a firearm under Maine law:
Convicted persons may apply to the Governor for a firearm permit after 5 years from final discharge (15 M.R.S. § 393(2)). Domestic violence prohibitions expire 5 years after final discharge if no subsequent convictions occur.
Maine's extreme risk protection order (ERPO or "red flag") law authorizes courts to temporarily prohibit a person from possessing firearms. Key details:
The statute creates two separate offenses for firearms in establishments licensed for on-premises liquor consumption:
Law enforcement officers with probable cause may require chemical testing. Refusal to submit to testing is admissible evidence of intoxication. A conviction results in mandatory permit revocation and a 5-year prohibition on obtaining a new permit.
Property owners and persons in possession or control of premises have the legal right to prohibit firearms on their property. Maine's use-of-force statute (17-A M.R.S. § 104) authorizes persons in possession or control of premises to use nondeadly force to prevent or terminate criminal trespass. Entering or remaining on private property in violation of a firearms prohibition may constitute criminal trespass.
| Statute | Description |
|---|---|
| 18 U.S.C. § 930 | Prohibits firearms in federal facilities (post offices, courthouses, federal buildings, VA facilities, etc.) |
| 18 U.S.C. § 922(q) | Prohibits possession or discharge of a firearm in a school zone (within 1,000 feet), with exceptions for state-licensed carriers |
| 18 U.S.C. § 926A (FOPA) | Provides safe passage protections for lawful interstate transport of firearms, provided the firearm is unloaded and not readily accessible |
| 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C (LEOSA) | Qualified active and retired law enforcement officers may carry concealed nationwide, with exceptions for government property, schools, and certain other locations |
As of the current legislative session, the Maine Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has considered several firearms-related bills, including:
Permit holders should monitor the Maine Legislature for updates on pending firearms legislation.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| 17-A M.R.S. § 1057 | Firearms in liquor establishments |
| 17-A M.R.S. § 1058 | Firearms in courthouses |
| 20-A M.R.S. § 6552 | Firearms on school property |
| 12 M.R.S. § 756 | Acadia National Park |
| 12 M.R.S. § 1803(6), (7) | State parks |
| 12 M.R.S. § 12707 | Wildlife sanctuaries |
| 12 M.R.S. § 11403 | Archery hunting — handgun carry |
| 15 M.R.S. § 393 | Persons prohibited from possessing firearms |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2904 | State Capitol area restrictions |
| 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A | Reciprocity recognition |
| 25 M.R.S. §§ 2244–2245 | Extreme risk protection orders |
| 26 M.R.S. § 600 | Employee vehicles on work premises |
| 32 M.R.S. § 9412(5) | Labor disputes and strikes |
| 18 U.S.C. § 930 | Federal facilities |
| 18 U.S.C. § 922(q) | Federal school zone restrictions |
| 18 U.S.C. § 926A | FOPA interstate transport |
| 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C | LEOSA law enforcement carry |
Sources: Maine State Police Concealed Carry Page (maine.gov/dps/msp); Maine Revised Statutes (legislature.maine.gov); Maine Judicial Branch (courts.maine.gov). Last reviewed: April 2026.
This page covers one part of our Maine concealed carry guide.
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