Maine gun laws

Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.

Carry

Permitless (constitutional) carry: Yes, for eligible adults 21+
21+ (18+ with qualifying military status) not prohibited from possessing firearms. Tell officers you are carrying during a stop.
Open carry: Not confirmed. Check with Maine State Police.
Permits: Maine permit guide

Vehicle transport

People not prohibited from possessing firearms may have a loaded pistol or revolver in a motor vehicle without a permit (PL 2015, c. 327). On an employer's premises, carry needs a permit, a locked vehicle and the firearm out of sight (26 M.R.S. §600). Source

Places where carry is banned

Courthouses, state parks, Acadia National Park, schools, federal buildings, the State Capitol area, private property where the owner prohibits it, posted on-premises liquor establishments, wildlife sanctuaries, labor disputes, and Baxter State Park and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway under their rules. Source

Magazines and assault weapons

Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban

Duty to inform

Yes, for permitless concealed carry. During a routine stop, detention or arrest, you must immediately tell the officer you're carrying a concealed handgun. Source

Stand your ground and castle doctrine

Not on NCSL's list of states with no duty to retreat. Castle-doctrine rules at home may still apply. Not confirmed. Check with Maine State Police.

Red-flag law

Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.

Reciprocity

Maine honors resident permits from the states on Maine State Police's list, subject to conditions.

Honors permits from: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming. Some states on the list are honored only for holders 21+.

Official reciprocity information

Check whether Maine honors your permit

Sources

Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.