Concealed Handguns Law

Chapter 327 – LD 652
An Act to Authorize the Carrying of Concealed Handguns without a Permit This change in law allows a person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Maine without a permit. This law also authorizes a person to possess a loaded pistol or revolver while in a motor vehicle, trailer or other vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle. “Concealed carry” without a permit is limited to people who are 21 or older, unless a person is 18 years of age or older, and is on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces or the National Guard, and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm. A person who is 18-20 years old and without the referenced military qualifications must have a permit to carry concealed. The law does not otherwise change where a person may carry or who may possess a firearm. It will still be illegal to possess a firearm in the following places, with some very limited exceptions:
 Courthouses (17-A MRS §1058)
 State Parks (12 MRS §1803(6 & 7) and Bureau of Parks and Lands Rules Chapter 1)
 Acadia National Park (12 MRS §756)
 Schools (20-A MRS §6552)
 Federal buildings (18 U.S.C. §930)
 State Capitol area (25 MRS §2904 & DPS Rule Chapter 41)
 Private property when prohibited by the property owner.
 Establishments licensed for on-premises consumption of liquor, if the premises are posted. Note that even if there is no posted prohibition, it is illegal to carry on these premises while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. (17-A MRS §1057) There will be some circumstances in which an optional handgun permit will authorize the permittee to carry concealed in certain locations or during an activity when an unpermitted person could not:
 Acadia National Park (permit required; 12 MRS §756)
 State Parks (permit required; open carry not permitted; 12 MRS §1803(7))
 Regular archery hunting-deer only (permit required; 12 MRS §11403)
 Employees’ vehicles on work premises (permit required; vehicle must be locked and firearm must not be visible; 26 MRS §600)

If a person is carrying a concealed handgun without a permit, that person has a duty, when coming into contact with any law enforcement officer during a routine stop, detention or arrest, to immediately inform the officer that the person is carrying a concealed handgun. A person who fails to do so commits a civil violation for which a fine of
not more than $100 may be adjudged.

Amends 12 MRS §11212, sub-§1, ¶B
Enacts 25 MRS §2001-A, sub-§2, ¶A-1
Enacts 25 MRS §2001-A, sub-§3
Enacts 25 MRS §2003-A
Enacts 25 MRS §2004, sub-§5
Amends 25 MRS §2012, sub-§1, ¶A

Follow this link for the actual text of the law.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getDoc.asp?id=49922