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Maine’s New Constitutional Carry Law Cuts Reciprocity With Several States

Effective October 15, 2015, if you have a Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, or Virginia handgun license, you need to know that your state-issued carry license is no longer valid in Maine, U.S. Law Shield advised its members in a special alert.

Recent developments in Maine law have made dramatic changes to both reciprocity and the conditions under which both residents and non-residents can carry a concealed handgun in the state. As of October 15, Maine no longer recognizes any out-of-state handgun license from states that do not recognize a Maine concealed handgun license.

This comes as a result of Maine enacting a type of constitutional carry earlier this year, with the law recently becoming effective.

The Case for the 9mm

U.S. Law Shield and Texas Law Shield’s President Kirk Evans said, “For folks in one of the states where Maine does not recognize your carry license, this means you can still carry in Maine, but subject to a few unusual and important exceptions you need to know.”

What this means is that anyone 21 or older who can legally possess a firearm can carry a concealed handgun in Maine without any type of permit or license. Active military and honorably discharged veterans age 18-20 can also carry concealed.

Further, anyone who meets the age requirement and is legally entitled to possess a handgun may have one loaded in their vehicle, trailer, or other vehicle being towed. However, locations that were previously off-limits for concealed carry will remain off-limits, including courthouses, federal buildings, bars, etc.

Evans added that without a valid license, you also cannot carry in the following places: Acadia National Park, state parks (open carry not permitted), and employee’s vehicles on work premises (vehicle must be locked and firearm must not be visible).

Evans said, “A valid and recognized license is still required to carry a handgun into these locations, and your Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas or Virginia license will not satisfy that requirement. However, Oklahoma and Missouri state-issued licenses are recognized in Maine at this time.”