Maine Dumps CCW Permit--or Does It?

S

stagpanther

New member
At the beginning of this year Maine lifted it's requirement for a concealed carry permit for people to carry a concealed handgun--and since I've had a permit for quite some time, and they are not easy to get, I was wondering if there was any reason to still have one. The vast majority of shooters and hunters that I know are quite happy with the change.

Decided to look at the fine print at the state's gov website and there are some interesting exceptions that give me pause for thought:

1. A permit is still required for state parks and Acadia NP.
2. A non-permit carrier must immediately declare to LE under any circumstances if they have a CCW without a permit and are stopped/questioned by LE.
3. A permit allows one to keep a secured and concealed handgun within a vehicle at one's workplace.

4. it allows the carrier of a CCW permit to carry handguns during the regular archery season for deer (I'm not sure how/if this changes the pervious hunting law). After checking the hunting laws as far as I can tell this only allows concealed carry for someone who does not have a regular firearms hunting license. I can't think of a reason why a hunter would want a concealed handgun in the first place.

The only other reason I can think of for keeping it is other state's reciprocity--though must of the states I spend time in outside of Maine do not have reciprocity with Maine.

Is there any other positive aspect to having a CCW permit when the state does not require one? I can't think of any.
 
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I think you've pretty much covered it with the parks, vehicle storage, and reciprocity. I can't think of much reason to get a new one, but if you already have one, it might be worth the small cost to keep it active just for those "just in case" moments.
 
Reciprocity is one of the benefits for sure. Depends on where and how frequently you travel. If you head south of you to some of our more Socialist states, it won't much matter.
 
You have the permit now and you said that it was hard to get. You need to keep it just incase the politicos change their minds again unless you enjoyed the hassle of getting the permit.
 
Food for thought--thanks for the replies. Since I just renewed last year I have another 4 years to make my mind up. : ) I'm curious that nobody mentioned that being in gov/LE's databases was a possible negative.
 
Carrying Concealed

Stagpanther,
I'm a CCW holder from South Carolina. Maine does not reciprocate with S.C. Can I now carry concealed when I visit Maine or is this law only for Maine residents? Thanks.
 
Being in government databases......you kinda get used to it It went hand in hand with some of the projects that I had a hand in when I was in college as a lab tech. At least now that I am 52 I do not have the recruiters calling me like when I was 18.
 
Will Maine recognize out-of-state permits for these things? If so, would a Florida or Utah permit get you more reciprocity?
 
3. A permit allows one to keep a secured and concealed handgun within a vehicle at one's workplace.
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Well that would be a real pain!

What's their rationale for this rule? You can carry a concealed handgun on your person all around the town without a permit but you can't have one locked up in your vehicle???

Practically speaking that would me I wouldn't carry at all when I went to work.
 
Don't forget about the GFSZA.
18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(A) said:
It shall be unlawful for any individual knowingly to possess a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone.
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18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(B) said:
18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(A) does not apply to the possession of a firearm—

(i) [omitted]

(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license...
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(My emphasis in boldface)
 
4. Because Black Bear will eat you too. This is why I carry a G20sf during archery season.
Also nice if you find you have stalked yourself into the middle of a herd of quietly sleeping wild boar...
 
3. Florida solved this one with the Disney case...so there is Legal Precedent.
Any company can rule against arms IN the building, but not inside a car in the parking lot.
Your personal vehicle is considered an extension of your home for legal purposes.

If you aren't particularly fond of your job, file suit for violating your second amendment rights.
Or do it just after being laid-off/canned, and say its the reason they dropped you ;)
 
Maine has no wild boar. It does have lots of bears--big ones too. I don't carry during archery season though I have thought about it. I can't remember the last time there was a bear attack here--though I'm sure it has happened--and they are aggressively pursued by hunters using a wide variety of tactics.
 
At the beginning of this year Maine lifted it's requirement for a concealed carry permit for people to carry a concealed handgun--and since I've had a permit for quite some time, and they are not easy to get, I was wondering if there was any reason to still have one. The vast majority of shooters and hunters that I know are quite happy with the change.

Decided to look at the fine print at the state's gov website and there are some interesting exceptions that give me pause for thought:

1. A permit is still required for state parks and Acadia NP.
2. A non-permit carrier must immediately declare to LE under any circumstances if they have a CCW without a permit and are stopped/questioned by LE.
3. A permit allows one to keep a secured and concealed handgun within a vehicle at one's workplace.

4. it allows the carrier of a CCW permit to carry handguns during the regular archery season for deer (I'm not sure how/if this changes the pervious hunting law). After checking the hunting laws as far as I can tell this only allows concealed carry for someone who does not have a regular firearms hunting license. I can't think of a reason why a hunter would want a concealed handgun in the first place.

The only other reason I can think of for keeping it is other state's reciprocity--though must of the states I spend time in outside of Maine do not have reciprocity with Maine.

Is there any other positive aspect to having a CCW permit when the state does not require one? I can't think of any.
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The law went into effect October 15th.

I don't know where else you've ever tried to get a concealed carry permit that you think that Maine permits aren't easy to get. Getting a CC permit here in Maine is a piece of cake. Maine is a "Shall Issue" State, as long as you prove that you've had safety training and pass the background check they have to give it to you. They accept the NRA basic handgun safety course certificate or, if you're prior military you just need to submit a copy of your DD214 with your application, and $35 and in a few weeks you have your permit. In the past it was good for 4 years with a $20 renewal but, IIRC, with the change to constitutional carry, permits will now be good for 10 years.

As far as the four concerns you listed, those are things that individuals will have to gauge for themselves. Personally, it's worth it to me for the state parks and Acadia. I'm retired LE, I haven't been stopped too often in the last 30 or so years but if I'm carrying I inform as a courtesy, regardless of the law. If the workplace law affects you, maintain your permit, same with archery hunting, it doesn't me.

As a retired LEO I am qualified under LEOSA to carry, in spite of that I still maintain my Maine CC permit, the new law hasn't changed anything for me.


I'm a CCW holder from South Carolina. Maine does not reciprocate with S.C. Can I now carry concealed when I visit Maine or is this law only for Maine residents? Thanks.
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The "constitutional/permitless carry" law applies to nonresidents as well. As long as you can legally own and possess a handgun, you can carry it concealed in Maine within the few confines of the new law. Check the Maine State Police website for details - http://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/licenses/weapons_permits.html
 
Maine still recognizes your carry permits in 22 states. So If I were you I'd keep my permit up to date and valid.

Not only for this reason, but because things change and you just cannot trust Politicians.

We, as responsible citizens, have to be the ones to show that gun ownership and use is not wrong or a danger to Society.

If I have this wrong, then please enlighten me.

Doc
 
One of the changes to the carry laws affects reciprocation. The new law says that Maine will recognize and honor the concealed carry permits of any states that does Maine's.
 
I don't know where else you've ever tried to get a concealed carry permit that you think that Maine permits aren't easy to get. Getting a CC permit here in Maine is a piece of cake. Maine is a "Shall Issue" State, as long as you prove that you've had safety training and pass the background check they have to give it to you.
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Maybe I should have rephrase that--it can take a long time while background checks are done on initial or re-application (I once missed the 30 day re-application deadline) as compared to say Georgia where all you have to do is fill out a piece of paper at the sheriff's office and you're done. A local police chief also said that local checks are sometimes done in some smaller towns where the option of "final decision" is made at a local level (I may be mistaken--but I believe this was a major point of resistance from the police chiefs association; I'm not LEO but I believe that's what the group is called). Also, the total number of CCW permittees is a matter of public record in the towns near me--though the identity is not AFAIK. I personally have no problem with my permit information being kept on record or reviewed--but this aspect is a point of contention with those that believe concealed carry is a fundamental right under the 2nd amendment.
 
Does the permit exempt you from any NICS or background checks? If so, I would keep it.
 
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Does the permit exempt your from any NICS or background checks? If so, I would keep it.
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I assume you mean for firearms purchase? I haven't heard of that--but I have heard that an individual may request that their background information for a typical FFL transfer be kept on "ready access file" thereby reducing waiting time for the transfer of a firearm. AFAIK this information by law cannot be kept by the gov and is used by the agency completing the transfer--but I could be wrong.
 
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