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Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents
Example Permit:
Issuing Authority:
The issuing authority for a permit to carry a concealed weapon is the mayor and municipal officers or councilors of a city, the municipal officers or councilors of a town, or the assessors of a plantation or, if they so choose, their full-time chief of police; or the chief of the state police in case of a resident of unorganized territory or a nonresident.
Out Of State Permit Issue:
Maine does issue permits to non-residents.
NICS/Background Check:
Permit Valid For:
The permit to carry concealed shall be valid for 4 years from the date of issue and valid throughout the state, unless revoked sooner.
Permit Issued Timeline:
A permit shall be issued within 30 days for a resident of 5 or more years, otherwise it shall be issued within 60 days.
Cost:
Resident of a municipality or unorganized territory, $35 for an original application and $20 for a renewal, except that a person who paid $60 for a concealed firearms permit or renewal during 1991 or 1992 is entitled to a credit toward renewal fees in an amount equal to $30 for a person who paid $60 for an original application and $45 for a person who paid $60 for a permit renewal. The credit is valid until fully utilized.
Nonresident, $60 for an original or renewal application, except that a person who paid $80 for a concealed firearms permit during 1991 or 1992 is entitled to a $20 credit toward permit renewal fees. The credit is valid until fully utilized.
Requirements:
1. 18 years of age or older
2. Not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state law
3. Be of good moral character. In judging good moral character the issuing authority shall make its determination based upon evidence recorded by governmental entities within the last 5 years.
Required Documents:
1. Application form - Applicant must provide name; personal information; physical description; address(es) for the last five years; and history of any issuances, refusals or revocation of any carry licenses. The applicant must also answer over 30 questions related to:
a. Both adult and juvenile criminal history, including for pending charges, convictions, not guilty verdicts by mental disease or defect for a wide variety of crimes including: drugs, weapons, crimes punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment; and threatened bodily injury.
b. Restraining orders; fugitive from justice status; drug abuse, drug addiction or drug dependency; dishonorable discharges from military; illegal alien status; and other good moral character issues.
c. Mental disorders that cause a danger to self or others; or adjudicated as mentally incapacitated without designation removed.
2. May be required to provide a photograph
3. May be required to give fingerprints
4. May be required to allow access to mental health records
Renewal Information:
A person may apply for renewal of a permit at the permit renewal rate at any time within 6 months after expiration of a permit. A person who applies for a permit more than 6 months after the expiration date of the permit last issued to that person must submit an original application and pay the original application fee.
Change of Name or Address:
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Permits:
Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:
Every permit holder shall have his permit in his immediate possession at all times when carrying a concealed firearm and shall display the same on demand of any law enforcement officer. No person charged with violating this subsection may be adjudicated as having committed a civil violation if he produces in court the concealed firearms permit which was valid at the time of the issuance of a summons to court or, if he exhibits the permit to a law enforcement officer designated by the summonsing officer not later than 24 hours before the time set for the court appearance, no complaint may be issued.
Automobile carry:
With a permit, you may carry concealed inside your automibile. Without a permit, firearms must be unloaded and may b e carried in plain view while in the passenger compartment.
Places off-limits when carrying:
1. On the premises of a licensed establishment posted to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of patrons, in violation of the posted prohibition or restriction
2. On public school property including property of a community college that adopts a policy imposing such a prohibition.
3. It is a Class D crime for any person, including, but not limited to, security guards and persons involved in a labor dispute or strike, to be armed with a dangerous weapon, as defined in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 9, at the site of a labor dispute or strike. A person holding a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm is not exempt from this subsection. A security guard is exempt from this subsection to the extent that federal laws, rules or regulations require the security guard to be armed with a dangerous weapon at the site of a labor dispute or strike.
4. All persons are prohibited from entering any court facility, including any courtroom, or any other area or building within the control or supervision of the Maine Judicial Branch, if armed with a firearm, other dangerous weapon or while in possession of a disabling chemical.
5. Any place where federal law prohibits the carrying of firearms.
Alcohol and Drugs:
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a firearm if while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or a combination of liquor and drugs or with an excessive blood-alcohol level, the person possesses a firearm in a licensed establishment.
Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
Maine is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law.
Open Carry:
Unrestricted under state law in most public areas.
Localities with Varying Laws:
State law prevents cities and other localities from enacting laws concerning the regulation of firearms, components, ammunition and supplies, which are not in conformity with state law. A municipality or any political subdivision of the state may not any ordinance, law or rule regulating hunting, fishing and trapping.
Forms & Links:
Maine Revised Statutes: Permits to Carry Concealed Firearms
NRA-ILA: Maine Gun Laws
Maine Concealed Firearms Booklet is available for download (PDF)
In-State Concealed Firearms Permit Application (PDF)
Non-Resident Concealed Firearms Permit Application(PDF)
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