Maine Gun Laws in Plain English
In Maine, you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit if you are 21 or older. However, new laws passed in 2024 mean you now have to wait 72 hours to take a gun home after buying it, and you must pass a background check if you buy a gun through an advertisement (like an online listing). You can own AR-15s and standard magazines, but bump stocks are banned. You must inform police immediately if you are carrying without a permit and are stopped.
Critical: Maine Gun Law Gotchas
These are the most important things to know that could get you arrested or charged with a crime:
- #1If you are carrying under Constitutional Carry (no permit), you MUST inform law enforcement immediately upon contact (25 M.R.S. § 2003-A). Permit holders only need to show on demand.
- #2The 72-hour waiting period applies to almost all purchases now, effective August 2024 (25 M.R.S. § 2014).
- #3Constitutional Carry does NOT exempt you from the federal 1,000-foot Gun-Free School Zone (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)). You need a physical Maine permit for that.
- #4If you list a gun for sale on Uncle Henry's or Armslist, you MUST do the transfer at a dealer with a background check (25 M.R.S. § 2013).
- #5Loaded rifles and shotguns are generally prohibited in vehicles to prevent poaching, even if you have a permit (12 M.R.S. § 11212). Only handguns can be loaded.
- #6Acadia National Park buildings are federal facilities where carry is banned, even though you can carry on the trails (18 U.S.C. § 930).
- #7Marijuana use (even medical) makes you a prohibited person federally, regardless of Maine state law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)).
- #8Bump stocks and other rapid-fire devices are now defined as illegal machine guns under state law (17-A M.R.S. § 1051).
- #9Maine's 'Yellow Flag' law allows police to take your guns if a medical practitioner assesses you as a threat (34-B M.R.S. § 3862-A).
- #10You cannot carry in State Capitol area buildings (25 M.R.S. § 2001-A(2)).
- #11It is illegal to furnish a firearm to a minor under 16 (17-A M.R.S. § 554-A).
Read these carefully - they cover common mistakes that lead to felony charges.