Gun laws in Maine

Gun laws in Maine regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of Maine.^[1][2]

Location of Maine in the United States

Maine^[3][4] is a "shall issue" state for concealed carry. The issuing authority are the local police, or the state police. As of October 15, 2015, a permit is not needed to carry a firearm - concealed or open - in the State of Maine, provided that the carrier is legally allowed to own a gun and is over 21 or a member or veteran of the military and over age 18. Concealed carry permits are still available (and are needed in order to legally carry weapons in various other States with which Maine has reciprocity agreements); such permits shall be issued within 30 days to a qualified applicant (who has to show proficiency in the use of pistols) and who has been a Maine resident for at least five years, or within 60 days to a nonresident or a resident for less than five years. The permit is valid for four years. Open carry is not lawful in establishments that directly serve alcohol as an open drink such as bars, clubs, certain restaurants and so on provided there is a no firearm sign posted in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of patrons or if the carrier of firearms is under the influence or asked to leave.^[5][6] Open carry is not lawful in Federal buildings.^{[7][8][9][10]} Maine honors concealed carry permits from several other states.^[11]

For hunters, a semi-automatic firearm's magazine capacity can not exceed 6 cartridges (5 in the magazine +1 in the chamber. For migratory game bird hunting, shotgun capacity is 3 shells. Upland bird hunting follows the semi-automatic laws. This is stated in Maine hunting law, but not Maine firearm law. Firearms, even if by definition it qualifies as a "hunting firearm", have no magazine capacity restriction. It only becomes a crime if one actively, or has previously, hunted while violating the magazine capacity restriction. These provisions do not apply to .22 caliber rimfire guns or to auto-loading pistols with a barrel length of less than 8 inches.^[12]

Maine has state preemption of firearms laws. No political subdivision of the state may adopt any law regulating firearms or ammunition, except for regulating the discharge of firearms.^[1]

A municipality may not sue a firearm or ammunition manufacturer for damages relating to the lawful design, manufacture, marketing or sale of firearms or ammunition. A municipality may bring legal action for breach of contract or warranty.^[2]

Employers in Maine may not prohibit its employees from keeping a firearm in the employee's vehicle if the employee has a valid permit to carry the concealed firearm and the firearm is concealed in the employee's own locked vehicle.^[13] Employers may continue to prohibit firearms on its premises other than in its parking lot under the conditions specified in the law.^[14]

References