Maine Firearm Bill of Sale Form

A Maine Firearm Bill of Sale serves as a legal document proving the sale and transfer of a firearm between a buyer and a seller. While Maine does not require the use of a specific form, completing a bill of sale is a best practice for recording the transaction and mitigating future risks.

In Maine, private firearm sales do not require a background check or waiting period. However, certain restrictions exist regarding who can legally purchase or possess firearms.

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State Laws for Selling a Gun in Maine

Minimum Age to Purchase

Maine law prohibits the sale of firearms to individuals under the age of 18. Federal law applies, setting the minimum age to purchase:

• 18 years old for long guns
• 21 years old for handguns

Permit for Purchase

Maine does not require a permit to purchase firearms. However, sellers must ensure that they are not transferring firearms to individuals prohibited from possessing them under federal or state law.

Register a Gun

Maine does not require firearm registration and prohibits the state from maintaining records of privately owned firearms or their owners [1] .

Open Carry Permit

Maine permits open carry without a license for individuals 21 years of age or older, or those 18-20 years of age who meet specific criteria, such as military service. No permit is required for open carry [2] .

Concealed Carry Permit

Maine is a “constitutional carry” state, meaning any individual 21 or older (or 18-20 with military or law enforcement status) who is not prohibited from owning a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a permit.

How to Apply for a Concealed Handgun Permit

To carry a firearm outside of Maine, individuals must apply for a Maine concealed handgun permit.

• Step 1 – Find Local Application Agency: Check whether the permit is issued by the State Police or your local city authority.
• Step 2 – Complete Application: Submit a Resident Concealed Handguns Permit Application.
• Step 3 – Take Safety Course: Provide proof of completion of a federally recognized handgun safety course.
• Step 4 – Submit Photo: Attach a passport-quality photo to your application.
• Step 5 – Attach Birth Certificate: Include a copy of your birth certificate.
• Step 6 – Submit Application: Send your completed application to the local issuing authority or the Maine State Police Special Investigations Department (164 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0164).
• Step 7 – Pay Fees: Pay the required application fee. Permits are valid for four years.

Gun Reciprocity

Maine has concealed-carry reciprocity with states that recognize Maine concealed-carry permits. 23 states have reciprocity agreements with Maine [3] .

Restrictions on Firearm Ownership

Maine law prohibits selling firearms to individuals who:

• Are under the age of 18 [4] .
• Have been convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for one year or more [5] .
• Are fugitives from justice.
• Have been committed to a mental health facility or deemed a threat due to mental incompetency [6] .
• Are unlawful users of or addicted to controlled substances.
• Are aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. or dishonorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
• Have renounced their U.S. citizenship.