Maine is a constitutional carry state, and does not require a permit to carry concealed for individuals 21 and older. However, the state does offer a concealed carry permit for the purposes of reciprocity. In order to be eligible, the applicant for the permit must be 18 years old. The chief of police of the municipality or the state police may issue a permit should the applicant be qualified. Competency training is an integral part of the application process. Online training only is not permitted as adequate proof of competency. The cost will vary depending upon whether the applicant seeks a resident or non-resident permit. Regardless of type, permits are valid for 4 years. Furthermore, the resident permit is only available to those who have been residents for 5 years or more. Holders of a Maine concealed permit are allowed to carry in 29 other states.
Table of Contents
Maine Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars*
# of States That Accept ME License
# of Years Valid
Minimum Age
# of Days To Get A Permit*
Reciprocity Map for Maine
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept a Maine concealed carry permit or those states that Maine will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor Maine Concealed Carry
- Alabama
- Alaska – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arizona – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida – Resident Permit ONLY
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Missouri – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Maine Will Honor The Following States
- Alabama – Resident permit also accepted
- Alaska – Resident permit also accepted
- Arizona – Resident permit also accepted
- Arkansas – Resident permit also accepted
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware – Resident permit also accepted
- Florida – Resident permit also accepted
- Georgia – Resident permit also accepted
- Hawaii
- Idaho – Resident permit also accepted
- Illinois
- Indiana – Resident permit also accepted
- Iowa – Resident permit also accepted
- Kansas – Resident permit also accepted
- Kentucky
- Louisiana – Resident permit also accepted
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan – Resident permit also accepted
- Minnesota
- Mississippi – Resident permit also accepted
- Missouri – Resident permit also accepted
- Montana
- Nebraska – Resident permit also accepted
- Nevada
- New Hampshire – Resident permit also accepted
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina – Resident permit also accepted
- North Dakota – Resident permit also accepted
- Ohio – Resident permit also accepted
- Oklahoma – Resident permit also accepted
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota – Resident permit also accepted
- Tennessee – Resident permit also accepted
- Texas
- Utah – Resident permit also accepted
- Vermont
- Virginia – Resident permit also accepted
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming – Resident permit also accepted
Maine permits anyone 21 years or older to carry concealed without a permit.
How To Apply for a Maine Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in Maine?
Although Maine does not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon, the state is a shall issue state for qualified individuals. However, in order to be qualified to carry a firearm without a permit, the person must be 21 years old. Maine offers a concealed carry permit for the purposes of reciprocity.
Relevant Code(s):
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in ME?
In order to obtain a concealed carry permit issued by Maine, an applicant must be at least 18 years old. However, you need
Relevant Code(s):
Who issues a concealed carry permit in Maine?
The issuing authority for a Maine concealed permit can be the full time chief of police of the municipality of application. Or, in the case that the municipality does not have a full time police chief, then the state police can become the issuing authority.
Relevant Code(s):
How long is a Maine concealed carry permit good for?
Maine permits are valid for a period of 4 years from the date of issuance, regardless of whether they are resident issued or non-resident issued.
Relevant Code(s):
Does ME issue concealed permits to non-residents?
Maine offers both nonresident concealed carry permits, as well as resident permits.Nonresident permit holders are subject to the same restrictions and regulations as other permit holders.
Relevant Code(s):
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
The duration of time allotted for issuing or denying a permit is based upon the term of residency. Applicants who have been residents of the state for 5 years or longer will be issued or denied within 30 days. However, any applicant who is a nonresident or a resident for less than 5 years can expect to have their permit issued or denied within 60 days.
Relevant Code(s):
How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
For the initial issuance of a concealed carry license, the cost is $35 for a resident permit. However, for a non-resident permit, the initial cost is $60.
Relevant Code(s):
What are the accepted forms of competency training?
Maine offers guidelines for proof of competency training. Below are the details the state provides for what is considered adequate firearms training.
“[…]a course that included handgun safety offered by or under the supervision of a federal, state, county or municipal law enforcement agency or a firearms instructor certified by a private firearms association recognized as knowledgeable in matters of handgun safety by the issuing authority or by the state in which the course was taken.“
Proof of completion must be provided and courses must have occurred within the previous 5 years prior to application. While the code does not specifically exclude online training, my research suggests that it does not meet the education requirements for proof of competency.
Relevant Code(s):
Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Maine
Is Maine an Open Carry State?
Maine does not have any code within the criminal code making open carry a crime, and therefore open carry is permitted in the state.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
Maine allows individuals of proper age to carry concealed within a vehicle. Nothing in Maine state criminal code makes carrying concealed in a vehicle a crime. In addition, no employer may forbid carrying concealed in a vehicle by a person with a valid permit.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
Generally speaking, concealed carry is permitted in Maine state parks. However, there are specific exceptions listed within the Maine State code, including Acadia National Park. It is recommended that you check with the specific park regarding their policies. Furthermore, the Maine National Parks provides the following from their website:
“A concealed handgun may be carried by qualifying individuals consistent with the provisions of 12 M.R.S.A. §1803, (7). Open carry is not permitted under this provision.”
Relevant Code(s):
Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
Patrons are permitted to carry concealed within restaurants so long as firearms are not forbidden in the establishment.
“[…]the person possesses any firearm on the premises of a licensed establishment posted to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of patrons, in violation of the posted prohibition or restriction”
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
Because Maine is a constitutional carry state, individuals or proper age are permitted to carry in churches and other places of worship. However, private property owners may post signage to prevent the carrying of firearms on their premesis.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Financial institutions are not among the listed prohibited areas for carrying a firearm concealed. However, establishments do have the right to prohibit such carrying using posted signage.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Neither hospitals nor medical facilities are listed as places where concealed carry is forbidden. As with all other private property, owners may forbid the carrying of concealed firearms through posted signage.
Relevant Code(s):