Maine Gun Laws

Constitutional carry. No magazine limit. 72-hour waiting period. Red flag law. Castle doctrine; duty to retreat outside the home.

Last reviewed against official sources on 2026-09-25. Official state source.

Maine allows constitutional carry for adults 21+ who are not prohibited persons. The state recognizes castle doctrine but generally imposes a duty to retreat outside the home. No magazine limits or assault weapon bans exist, but a 72-hour waiting period applies to firearm sales, and an Extreme Risk Protection Order law took effect in 2026.

Key facts

• Concealed Carry: Constitutional carry — no permit required for adults 21+ (25 M.R.S. § 2001-A)
• Open Carry: Permitted without a permit (25 M.R.S. § 2001-A)
• Permit to Purchase: Not required
• Assault Weapon Ban: No ban
• Magazine Limit: No limit
• Waiting Period: 72 hours for all firearm sales (in effect since April 2026) (25 M.R.S. § 2016)
• Universal Background Check: Required for gun-show and advertised private sales; not other private sales (15 M.R.S. § 395)
• Red Flag Law (ERPO): Yes — Extreme Risk Protection Order (2026) plus Yellow Flag Law (25 M.R.S. § 2244)
• Castle Doctrine: Yes (17-A M.R.S. § 108)
• Stand Your Ground: Duty to retreat outside the home (17-A M.R.S. § 108)
• Concealed Carry Reciprocity: Honors resident permits from ~23 reciprocal states; visitors 21+ can carry concealed here without one anyway (Maine State Police — Reciprocity)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to carry in Maine?

No. Maine is a constitutional carry state. Adults 21 and older who are not prohibited may carry concealed or openly without a permit.

Does Maine have a red flag law?

Yes. Since February 2026, family or household members and law enforcement can petition a court directly for an Extreme Risk Protection Order. Maine's older Yellow Flag Law, which lets police remove firearms after a medical evaluation, also remains in effect.

Does Maine require background checks for private sales?

Only in some cases. Private sales at gun shows, or sales arranged through an advertisement (including online listings), must go through a licensed dealer who runs a background check. Other private transfers do not require one.

Does Maine have stand your ground?

Maine recognizes castle doctrine in the home but generally requires a duty to retreat in public if safe to do so.

Does Maine honor concealed carry permits from other states?

Yes, and unusually broadly — Maine's permitless carry law itself extends to any adult 21 or older, resident or not, so a visitor doesn't strictly need a permit at all. Maine separately recognizes resident permits from states that honor Maine's permit — about two dozen states, listed by the Maine State Police.

Not legal advice. Laws change; verify with official sources.