A bill eliminating limitations on state reciprocity for concealed handgun permits was signed into law by Governor Paul LePage on Friday, June 5.

As previously reported, Legislative Document 868 (R-Davis), changes Maine law to grant reciprocity to concealed handgun permits issued to a person by that person’s state of residence as long as that state of residence honors a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued by the State of Maine.

Current law authorizes the Chief of the Maine State Police to grant reciprocity to a concealed carry handgun permit issued from another state if the other state has substantially equivalent or stricter requirements for the issuance of a permit and the other state observes the same rules of reciprocity regarding a person issued a permit under Maine law. LD 868 removes the authority of the Chief of the State Police to enter into reciprocity agreements and eliminates the required equivalency provisions.

Even though Constitutional/Permitless Carry legislation may soon become law in Maine, the current carry permitting system will still be in place for those who wish to participate in reciprocal concealed carry recognition when traveling to other states. With the enactment of LD868, Maine residents will now have the opportunity to carry concealed in an additional 17 states throughout the country.

On behalf of the National Rifle Association and its members in the state of Maine, we would like to thank the Governor and the Maine state Legislature for enacting this important legislation.