Concealed Carry in Maine

Yes. The ban on carrying a concealed weapon does not apply to a handgun carried by a person who is 21 years of age or older and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm, or by a person 18 to 20 who is on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard, or is an honorably discharged veteran of them, and is not otherwise prohibited. A person carrying concealed without a Maine permit must immediately tell a law enforcement officer that he or she is carrying a concealed handgun when first in contact during an arrest, detainment or routine traffic stop.

Permit to carry concealed handguns. Shall-issue: the issuing authority 'shall, upon written application, issue' a permit to an applicant who has demonstrated good moral character and meets the requirements. Issued by the municipal officers (or the police chief or sheriff they designate) for residents of municipalities with a full-time police chief, and by the Chief of the State Police for others, including nonresidents. Applicant must be 18 years of age or older and must show knowledge of handgun safety, for example by a handgun-safety course completed within 5 years (military members with basic firearms training are exempt). Fees: $50 for an original resident application and $35 for a renewal; $80 for a nonresident original or renewal. Permits are valid for 4 years. A resident of 5 or more years must be issued or denied within 30 days; others within 60 days.

Maine honors a concealed handgun permit issued to a person by that person's state of residence if that state honors a Maine permit. Separately, anyone 21 or older (or 18-20 military/veteran) who may lawfully carry may carry concealed in Maine without a permit.

Firearms may not be possessed on public school property or the property of an approved private school (limited exceptions, such as an unloaded firearm in a locked vehicle at a school-authorized hunter's breakfast). Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a courthouse, and in a correctional facility or jail, is a crime. Possessing a firearm in a licensed bar or restaurant serving alcohol for on-premises consumption is a crime if the premises is posted to prohibit firearms, or if the person is under the influence; a concealed-carry permit is not a defense.

Maine generally prohibits having a loaded firearm in or on a motor vehicle (a firearm with a cartridge in the chamber or an attached magazine, clip or cylinder). Exception: a person 21 or older who may lawfully possess a firearm, or a person 18 to 20 on active military/National Guard duty or an honorably discharged veteran, may have a loaded pistol or revolver in or on a vehicle. Long guns must be unloaded in a vehicle. The hunting-license exception to the concealed-carry ban does not allow carrying a concealed or loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.