Concealed handguns become legal in Maine today

Beginning today in Maine individuals can carry a concealed handgun without possession of a special permit.

The law - Public Law 2015, Chapter 327 (LD 652) - was passed by the Maine Legislature earlier this year.

The law also allows a person to possess a loaded pistol or revolver while in a motor vehicle, trailer or other vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle.

Concealed carry without a permit is limited to people who are 21 or older, with the following exception: If a person is 18 years of age or older, and is on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces or the National Guard, and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm, the person may carry a concealed handgun.

A person who is 18-20 years old and without the referenced military qualifications must have a permit to carry concealed. The law applies to both residents of Maine and non-residents.

It will still be illegal to possess a firearm in the following places, with some very limited exceptions:

• Courthouses (17-A M.R.S. § 1058)
  • State Parks (12 M.R.S. § 1803(6), (7) and Bureau of Parks and Lands Rules Chapter 1)
  • Acadia National Park (12 M.R.S. § 756)
  • Schools (20-A M.R.S. § 6552)
  • Federal buildings (18 U.S.C. § 930)
  • State Capitol area (25 M.R.S. § 2904 & DPS Rule Chapter 41)
  • Private property when prohibited by the property owner
  • Establishments licensed for on-premises consumption of liquor, if the premises are posted. Note that even if there is no posted prohibition, it is illegal to carry on these premises while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. (17-A M.R.S. §1057)

A concealed handgun permit is still required to carry in -

• Acadia National Park (Permit required; 12 M.R.S. §756)
  • State Parks (Permit required; open carry not permitted; 12 M.R.S. § 1803(7))
  • Regular archery hunting-deer only (Permit required; 12 MRS § 11403)
  • Employees' vehicles on work premises (Permit required; vehicle must be locked and firearm must not be visible; 26 M.R.S. §600)

If an individual is carrying a concealed handgun without a permit, he/she has a duty, when coming into contact with any law enforcement officer during a routine stop, detention or arrest, to immediately inform the law enforcement officer that the individual is carrying a concealed handgun.

The law applies only to handguns. The new law does not, however, authorize persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms to carry them.