Like many southern, midwestern and southwestern states, open carry Maine laws are very liberal toward gun owners. Maine is unique in the fact that open or concealed carry, without a permit, is legal for those age 21 or older. Our criminal lawyers near me in southern Maine stand ready to defend any citizen facing federal firearms offenses or State of Maine gun charges.

For those who wish to obtain a Maine concealed carry permit (which will be recognized by about half the other states in America), the first step under state law is to complete and submit a Maine concealed carry permit application. A Maine concealed carry application will be reviewed, verified, and processed by State Police in Maine, through the Department of Public Safety.

Like many southern, midwestern and southwestern states, open carry Maine laws are very liberal toward gun owners. Maine is unique in the fact that open or concealed carry, without a permit, is legal for those age 21 or older. Several links within this article can direct you to information on CCW near me, at various public or private establishments.

Those under 21 must apply, but an exception exists for military personnel 18 and older. All others user age 21 may be cited or arrested, since (without a permit) it is illegal to carry.

For those who wish to obtain a Maine concealed carry permit (which will be recognized by about half the other states in America), the first step under state law is to complete and submit a Maine concealed carry permit application. A Maine concealed carry application will be reviewed, verified, and processed by State Police in Maine, through the Department of Public Safety.

It is advisable to also have taken the concealed carry Maine course identifying your legal rights and your related obligations. Be sure that it is an establishment licensed to certify handgun owners to acquire permits to carry.

First, this course identifies who is federally barred from possessing guns in America. Second, the course explains the radical differences between laws in other state jurisdictions (e.g., New York City), regarding carrying a gun.

The last benefit of taking a concealed carry class Maine course is that (for many interstate travelers) you can then apply for your non-resident or resident multi-state Maine concealed handgun permit. This short description from the Cumberland County concealed carry page from the Sheriff's office is instructive:

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Office performs an assortment of services daily. The Special Services Office issues all permits to purchase pistols in Cumberland County and all concealed carry permits are applied for and issued in the Special Services Office.

Federal firearms laws enacted under the Gun Control Act of 1968 make the following persons ineligible to possess firearms (See Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922):

Any person convicted of a felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor

Fugitives from justice

Illegal drug users, including marijuana

Persons who have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution

Illegal Aliens

Persons who have renounced U.S. citizenship

Persons dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces

Persons subject to a domestic violence restraining order

The penalties for violating the federal guns possession laws can include large fines and up to life in prison. Note that this is a total ban on owning or possessing a gun, and of course designed to prohibit openly carrying a firearm. Thus, for one of these individuals to carry a concealed weapon or openly carry a handgun is a huge infraction.

The Maine constitutional carry law also can permit a Maine non-resident CCW for gun owners from other USA states. The Maine CCW laws (concealed carry weapons) form seeks information on matching the applicant to background checks through federal and state databases.

the Maine concealed carry law has rules of where you can go with a firearm (e.g., do not plan to enter a courthouse with a concealed weapon). Although the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants citizens the right to carry arms, there are instances where these rights can be lost. Such instances include certain criminal offenses where a citizen has been found guilty (the person was convicted).

Maine CCW reciprocity exists with Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, West Virginia and 14 other states. Federal gun possession laws define which individuals are not eligible to exercise their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. This website provides a complete concealed carry laws by state, and up-to-date list of the states that allow concealed carry without permit.

The handgun carry rules for Maine, broadly stated, are as follows:

Maine laws allow a person age 21 and older who is not otherwise legally barred or prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Maine without the necessity of having a permit. This law in ME further authorizes a person to possess a loaded pistol or revolver while in a motor vehicle, trailer or other vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle.

The primary difference between Maine gun laws and federal gun laws depends on which government makes the laws and prosecutes those suspected of violating them. Further, some weapons that do not count as firearms under federal law (such as black-powder or antique weapons) are counted as firearms under Maine gun law.

In addition to federal gun laws prohibiting ownership of a federally defined firearm, Maine firearms laws prohibit people from carrying a gun if:

They have been convicted of a crime in Maine punishable by at least one year in prison

They have been convicted in another state of a crime punishable by more than a year in prison (except certain misdemeanors punishable by two years or less.)

They have committed a crime using a firearm or other dangerous weapon in Maine, any other state, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation or any federal jurisdiction

There is a domestic violence protection order against them in Maine or any other state, United States territory, commonwealth or tribe that orders them to stop hurting or threatening an intimate partner or child of an intimate partner

They were convicted as a juvenile of a crime that would have been considered one of the offenses listed above, if committed by an adult

They have been found not guilty of any of the crimes listed above due to mental illness or insanity

Gun Laws in Maine: How do you Conceal Carry?

Maine law enforcement officers always ask a detained person if they have a dangerous weapon on their person, have a pistol concealed in their vehicle, or are carrying a long gun (rifles and shotguns). An officer will also ask if the detained citizen has a valid license to carry a handgun, either openly or a concealed carry permit.

Call a gun law attorney near me at the law offices of John S. Webb located in Saco or Portland. Take time to learn about your gun rights in the state of Maine, including legally how to carry a concealed handgun or obtain an open carry permit (legally carry guns in public). Mr. Webb has over 28 years of experience in federal laws criminal defense and will provide legal advice during your free initial consultation.

LINK to Concealed weapons class near me.

How to renew a concealed carry permit Maine: