Maine is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state. Since October 15, 2015, any eligible person may carry a concealed handgun in Maine without a...
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Maine is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state. Since October 15, 2015, any eligible person may carry a concealed handgun in Maine without a permit. Maine also continues to issue optional concealed handgun permits (CHPs) primarily for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states. Because permitless carry extends to non-residents, visitors to Maine generally do not need any permit to carry concealed, provided they meet Maine's eligibility requirements.
Because Maine allows permitless carry for all eligible persons regardless of residency, the question of whether Maine "recognizes" another state's permit is largely moot — no permit of any kind is required to carry concealed in Maine if the carrier meets the statutory eligibility criteria.
Maine State Police maintains a dedicated Concealed Handgun Reciprocity page listing current reciprocity agreements. The specific list of states that honor Maine's CHP changes periodically. Permit holders must verify current reciprocity status with each destination state before traveling.
Because Maine enacted permitless carry under Title 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A, formal recognition of other states' permits is not necessary for lawful concealed carry within Maine. Any person who meets Maine's eligibility requirements (age 21+, or 18+ active-duty military, and not a prohibited person) may carry concealed in Maine regardless of whether they hold a permit from any state.
Under Title 15 M.R.S. § 393, a person may not own, possess, or have under their control a firearm (unless they have obtained a permit under this section) if that person:
| Category | Statutory Reference | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Convicted of or found not criminally responsible for a crime punishable by imprisonment of 1+ years (Maine), exceeding 1 year (federal), or exceeding 1 year (other states, excluding misdemeanors punishable by 2 years or less) | § 393(1)(A-1)(1)–(4) | Class C crime |
| Convicted of a crime where the prosecution proved use of a firearm against a person or use of any other dangerous weapon | § 393(1)(A-1)(5) | Class C crime |
| Adjudicated as a juvenile for conduct that would be a disqualifying conviction if committed as an adult, where bodily injury was threatened or resulted | § 393(1)(C) | — |
| Subject to a court restraining order (harassment, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child), issued after a hearing with actual notice and opportunity to participate, that includes a credible-threat finding or explicitly prohibits use of physical force | § 393(1)(D) | Class D crime |
| Involuntarily committed to a hospital under Title 34-B § 3864 (likelihood of serious harm) | § 393(1)(E)(1) | Class D crime |
| Found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity | § 393(1)(E)(2) | Class D crime |
| Found not competent to stand trial | § 393(1)(E)(3) | Class D crime |
| Is a fugitive from justice (as defined in § 201(4)) | § 393(1)(F) | Class D crime |
| Is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (per 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)) | § 393(1)(G) | Class D crime |
| Dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces | § 393(1)(I) | Class D crime |
| Has renounced United States citizenship | § 393(1)(J) | Class D crime |
Deferred dispositions: A person is deemed convicted when the court imposes the sentence. However, during the deferred disposition period for certain offenses listed in Title 15 § 1023(4)(B-1), firearm possession is prohibited (Class C crime).
Domestic violence offenses: Title 15 M.R.S. § 393(1-B) contains additional prohibitions for persons convicted of domestic violence offenses.
In addition to Maine state prohibitions, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) prohibits firearm possession by persons who:
| Law | Citation | Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) | 18 U.S.C. § 926A | Federal safe harbor for lawful transport of firearms through restrictive states, provided the firearm is unloaded and not readily accessible and the person is traveling between two locations where possession is lawful |
| Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) | 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C | Qualified active and retired law enforcement officers may carry concealed firearms nationwide, subject to certain conditions |
| Undetectable Firearms Act | 18 U.S.C. § 922(p) | Prohibits manufacture, import, sale, possession, or transfer of firearms not detectable by walkthrough metal detectors or airport x-ray machines |
As of 2026, the Maine Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has reviewed several firearms-related bills that could affect carry laws if enacted:
| Bill | Title | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| LD 1071 | An Act To Prohibit the Sale of High-capacity Magazines | Would ban sale of magazines with capacity exceeding 10 rounds |
| LD 1569 | An Act To Prohibit Untraceable and Undetectable Firearms | Would create Class D crimes for manufacturing, selling, or possessing ghost guns, unserialized frames/receivers, and distributing downloadable gun code |
| LD 1099 | An Act To Reduce Suicide and Violent Crimes by Requiring a 72-hour Waiting Period | Would require sellers to withhold delivery for 72 hours after sale agreement; civil penalties for violations |
| LD 533 | An Act to Eliminate the Statutory Duty to Retreat | Would affirm right of self-defense and eliminate duty to retreat ("stand your ground") |
Note: Bill status should be verified with the Maine Legislature for current disposition. These bills may or may not advance.
| Statute | Description |
|---|---|
| Title 25 M.R.S. § 2001-A | Permitless (constitutional) carry — effective October 15, 2015 |
| Title 25 M.R.S. § 2003 | Concealed handgun permit issuance (optional, for reciprocity) |
| Title 15 M.R.S. § 393 | State prohibited persons — detailed disqualifying categories and penalties |
| Title 15 M.R.S. § 393(1-B) | Additional prohibition for domestic violence offenses |
| 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) | Federal prohibited persons categories |
| 18 U.S.C. § 922(p) | Federal ban on undetectable firearms |
| 18 U.S.C. § 926A (FOPA) | Federal interstate transport safe harbor |
| 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C (LEOSA) | Law enforcement concealed carry nationwide |
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.