State · ME
Maine gun laws
Here's a plain-language look at Maine's own firearm laws, topic by topic. Federal law applies here too, so it's worth reading the federal page alongside this one. City and county rules aren't covered, and some places have stricter ones.
At a glance: Permitless carry
Recently changed or in flux
- Recently changedMaine's ERPO law, passed as a ballot measure, took effect Feb. 21, 2026.
- In court72-hour waiting period: the 1st Circuit vacated the preliminary injunction (Apr. 3, 2026), and the U.S. Supreme Court denied review on Oct. 19, 2026 (Beckwith v. Frey, No. 26-258). The case now goes back to the federal district court in Maine, and the waiting period stays in force while it continues.
Permit to purchase#
- Handguns
- No state permit required. Licensed dealers run the federal NICS background check.
- Long guns
- No state permit required. Licensed dealers run the federal NICS background check.
Registration#
- No state firearm registration.
Carrying a handgun#
- Permitless carry
- Yes. Adults 21 and older (or 18 and older for military members) may carry concealed without a permit (since 2015).
- Concealed carry permit
- Shall-issue (officials must issue a permit to anyone who qualifies). The permit is optional.
- Open carry
- Legal.
- Reciprocity
- Before you travel, check the current recognition list on the state's official page, because these lists change.
“Assault weapon” rules#
- None at the state level.
Magazine limits#
- None at the state level.
Waiting period#
- 72 hours for all firearm sales (effective Aug. 9, 2024). On April 3, 2026, the 1st Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction (a temporary court order blocking the law) in Beckwith v. Frey, so the waiting period is in force while the case continues.
Background checks and private sales#
- Partial. A background check is required for private sales that are advertised (2024 law); other private sales aren't covered.
Red flag (ERPO) law#
- Yes. Voters approved an Extreme Risk Protection Order law (Question 2, Nov. 2025), effective Feb. 21, 2026. Maine's earlier 'yellow flag' process (protective custody) also remains.
Suppressors, SBRs and SBSs#
- Suppressors
- Legal to own under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
- Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
- Legal under state law if federal requirements are met (see the national NFA note).
About the October 2026 federal NFA change
On October 9, 2026, ATF said it will stop enforcing the NFA's approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and AOWs. Where Maine allows these items only if federal requirements are met, it isn't settled how state law treats an item that is no longer federally registered. Check with state authorities before relying on ATF's change.
Ammunition#
- No state background check, license or permit for buying ammunition was identified.
Minimum ages#
- Handgun purchase
- 21 from a licensed dealer (federal law). In a private sale, 18: federal law bars anyone from selling or giving a handgun to someone under 18 (18 U.S.C. § 922(x)), and Maine law says the same, with limited exceptions (17-A M.R.S. § 554-B).
- Long gun purchase
- 18 from a licensed dealer (federal law). In a private sale, federal law sets no minimum age. In Maine, transferring a long gun to someone under 16 is a crime, and selling one to someone 16 or 17 is a civil violation, with exceptions (17-A M.R.S. § 554-A).
Shipping and buying online#
- We found no notable state shipping restrictions. The usual federal rules apply: firearms ship to a licensed dealer, and handguns must go to a dealer in the buyer's home state. Check city and county rules too.
Buying a firearm online means it ships to a licensed dealer, who completes the transfer. Find one near you in the Dealer Finder. Retailers make the final call on what they'll ship, so always check their policy too.
Pending legislation and litigation#
Bills, ballot measures, rules and court cases that could change the rules in Maine. We check this list every week; last scan . See everything we're tracking.
No open items right now. Here's what was settled recently.
Recently resolved (1)
Beckwith v. Frey (72-hour waiting period)
No. 26-258 · U.S. Supreme Court (cert petition)
Status:
Gun owners and businesses asked the Supreme Court to review the 1st Circuit's ruling that let Maine's 72-hour waiting period take effect while their challenge goes on. The Court said no, so the case goes back to the federal district court in Maine.
What it changed: Nothing changes for buyers: the 72-hour waiting period stays in force while the district court case continues.
Outcome: Review denied Oct. 19, 2026. The waiting period remains in effect, and the challenge continues in the district court.
Status history (3)
- :
- :
- :
Sources:U.S. Supreme Court docket 26-258 ↗Supreme Court order list (Oct. 19, 2026) ↗
Added · Last checked
Sources and official links#
- Maine Revised Statutes Title 25, Ch. 252 · Officialhttps://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/25/title25ch252sec0.html
- Maine State Police - Weapons Permits · Officialhttps://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/licenses-permits/weapons-permits
- Maine Judicial Branch - ERPO · Officialhttps://courts.maine.gov/help/erpo.html
- 1st Cir. opinion, Beckwith v. Frey (Apr. 3, 2026) · Court recordhttps://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca1/25-1160/25-1160-2026-04-03.html
- SCOTUS docket 26-258 (Beckwith v. Frey) · Court recordhttps://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/26-258.html
- 17-A M.R.S. § 554-A (Maine Legislature) · Officialhttps://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec554-A.html
- 17-A M.R.S. § 554-B (Maine Legislature) · Officialhttps://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec554-B.html
Maine entry last reviewed . Official state sites can move or change; if a link stops working, search the agency's site for the same title.
Notes that apply everywhere
Federal NFA change (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, AOWs)
Congress set the federal NFA making and transfer tax to $0 for suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs) and 'any other weapons' effective January 1, 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025). After a federal district court ruling (Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, N.D. Tex., Aug. 5, 2026), ATF published an open letter from Director Robert Cekada, a press release, a fact sheet and an FAQ saying that as of October 9, 2026 it will not enforce the NFA's approval, registration, tax-stamp and related requirements for those four items, for everyone. Machine guns and destructive devices remain fully regulated. The Gun Control Act still applies, including dealer background checks, the prohibited-person rules, and an approved Form 20 to take an SBR or SBS across state lines, and dealers still may not sell in violation of state or local law. ATF says this does not override state or local law. A state that bans these items still bans them. Many state laws make these items legal only if they are 'registered' or 'lawful under federal law', and how those state laws apply to unregistered items is currently unclear. ATF also warns that enforcement could resume if the law, the ruling or DOJ policy changes. Keep this note in mind whenever you read a state's suppressor, SBR or SBS entry.
U.S. Supreme Court 'assault weapon' cases
The Supreme Court granted review (June 30, 2026) in Viramontes v. Cook County (No. 25-238, a Cook County, IL ordinance) and Grant v. Higgins (No. 25-566, Connecticut). The question is whether the Second Amendment protects possession of AR-15-platform rifles. The cases are scheduled for oral argument on December 2, 2026 (not yet argued as of October 15, 2026), and a decision is expected by mid-2027. Magazine-limit petitions (for example Duncan v. Bonta from CA and NAGR v. Lamont from CT) and New Jersey's petition (No. 26-452) were pending as of mid-October 2026. Every state 'assault weapon' and magazine entry could change as a result.
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Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court, June 25, 2026)
The Court struck down Hawaii's rule that licensed carriers may not carry on private property open to the public without the owner's express permission. Similar 'default no-carry on private property' rules in some other states (for example CA, NY, NJ and MD) may be affected. This guide hasn't verified how each state has responded.
Federal minimum ages
Under federal law, licensed dealers may sell handguns only to buyers 21 and older, and long guns only to buyers 18 and older. Federal courts have split on whether the 18-20 handgun-sale restriction is constitutional, and this guide doesn't try to resolve that litigation. State rules on how old minors must be to possess guns aren't fully covered here.
Local ordinances
Many cities and counties (for example Chicago and Cook County, IL; Denver and Boulder, CO; Philadelphia, PA; and New York City) have rules stricter than state law. This guide covers state-level law only.
All states, DC and territories · Federal law
Disclaimer
The firearm law information in Firearms Almanac's Laws & Regulations guide (federal, state and territory) is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Firearm laws change frequently, differ by city and county, and are often affected by court decisions that can take effect with little notice. We try to keep this guide accurate and cite official sources, but we make no guarantee that any entry is complete, current, or correct, and we are not responsible for actions taken based on it. Before buying, selling, carrying, transporting, or shipping any firearm, ammunition, magazine, or accessory, check the current law with the official federal, state or territory source linked on each page and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney. Retailers listed on this site set their own shipping and sales policies and are responsible for complying with the law. Each entry shows the date it was last checked. See also our site Disclaimer.