Does Maine have constitutional carry?

Yes. Maine is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The CHP remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.

How much does a Maine CHP cost?

The CHP application fee in Maine is $35. $35 for a resident permit; $60 for a non-resident permit (25 M.R.S. §2003).

Does Maine honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?

Maine honors concealed-carry permits from 23 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who Maine honors" page.

Where is a Maine CHP honored?

A Maine CHP is honored by 31 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.

How long is a Maine CHP valid?

A Maine CHP is valid for 4 years before renewal is required.

This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.

MaineConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity

Maine is a permitless (constitutional) carry state as of October 15, 2015 (LD 652). A person 21 or older — or 18 or older if on active duty or honorably discharged from the Armed Forces — who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The Maine Concealed Handgun Permit, issued by the State Police (the Division of Weapons and Professional Licensing handles roughly 360 municipalities and all non-resident permits; some larger municipalities issue their own), remains available and is worth holding for reciprocity. Open carry is lawful without a permit. Maine is a duty-to-inform state for permitless carriers: a person carrying without a permit must immediately inform a law enforcement officer on first contact during an arrest, detention, or traffic stop (25 M.R.S. §2003-A). Maine recognizes the resident concealed handgun permits of 23 states on a mutual basis — resident permits only.

Maine Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)

Issuing authority: Maine State Police (Division of Weapons and Professional Licensing) and some municipalities
Carry regime: constitutional
Minimum age: 18
Fee: $35
Training: Required
Validity: 4 years

Full Maine permit requirements →

Carry practicalities

Permitless carry

Allowed — minimum age 21

Maine has permitless (constitutional) carry since October 15, 2015 (LD 652). A person 21 or older — or 18+ if active-duty/honorably discharged military — who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit; residency is not required. A permitless carrier is subject to Maine's duty to inform (25 M.R.S. §2003-A).

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Open carry

Permitless

Open carry of a firearm is lawful in Maine without a permit for a person who may lawfully possess a firearm. Open carry remains subject to the prohibited-place restrictions and to private-property rules.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Duty to inform

Required

Maine requires a person carrying a concealed handgun WITHOUT a valid permit to immediately inform a law enforcement officer of that fact on first contact during an arrest, detention, or routine traffic stop (25 M.R.S. §2003-A). This proactive duty applies to permitless carriers (the common carry mode in Maine); permit holders present the permit on demand.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Off-limits locations

K-12 school property and school buses
courthouses and court facilities
the State House and Capitol area where prohibited
establishments licensed to serve alcohol where the person is under the influence or the establishment prohibits carry
the secured (past-screening) areas of airports
state parks and property where prohibited by rule
private property and businesses that prohibit carry
places where carrying a firearm is prohibited by federal law

Curated key categories, not exhaustive. Maine restricts firearms on school property and in courthouses and certain state facilities; property owners may prohibit carry.

official source · verified 2026-07-10

Maine reciprocity summary

Maine honors 23 states' permits · honored by 31 states

Where a Maine permit is honored →Whose permits Maine honors →

Last verified 2026-07-10 against Maine State Police — Concealed Handgun Reciprocity.

Verify Maine rules on the official page →

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Get notified when your state's reciprocity changes.

Maine FAQ

Does Maine have constitutional carry?: Yes. Maine is a constitutional (permitless) carry state — eligible adults may carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The CHP remains available and is still worth holding for reciprocity in states that don't recognize permitless carry.
How much does a Maine CHP cost?: The CHP application fee in Maine is $35. $35 for a resident permit; $60 for a non-resident permit (25 M.R.S. §2003).
Does Maine honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?: Maine honors concealed-carry permits from 23 other states, subject to the qualifiers (resident-only or permit-class restrictions) noted on each reciprocity pair. See the full inbound list on the "who Maine honors" page.
Where is a Maine CHP honored?: A Maine CHP is honored by 31 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
How long is a Maine CHP valid?: A Maine CHP is valid for 4 years before renewal is required.

Sources

Maine State Police — Concealed Handgun Reciprocity (2026-07-10)