Although the state of Maine does not require residents to get permits to carry a concealed weapon, 168 people in South Berwick have concealed carry permits, according to the South Berwick Police Department.
The department’s police log regularly indicates someone has applied for a permit, which is good for four years. The number has stayed consistent over time, according to Deputy Chief Scott Stephens.
Maine is known as a constitutional carry state, which means individuals carrying a concealed weapon do not need to carry a permit. However, Stephens suggested, “It is always a good idea to obtain a concealed weapons permit if you plan to carry a concealed weapon.”
Most people obtain a permit so they can carry a gun into another state that requires a permit, he said, noting that Maine’s concealed carry permit is recognized in 23 reciprocal states.
“If you are in any of these states (that) are not a constitutional carry state, then a permit is required,” Stephens said.
Stephens recommended the Maine State Police website as the best resource for more information. The site summarizes Maine’s constitutional carry law, enacted in 2015, and strongly recommends people carrying firearms be familiar with firearms safety and the circumstances under which deadly force may be used.
Additional information on the site covers handgun safety, self-defense laws, and the concealed handgun permit application. Applicants, who must be at least 21 years old – or 18 if they meet specific military qualifications – must complete two forms and submit a $50 fee.
Required documentation includes a color passport-quality photograph; copy of a birth certificate, passport or document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; and proof of handgun safety training.
It is illegal in Maine to carry firearms in courthouses, state parks, schools, federal buildings, the State Capitol area, private property when prohibited by the property owner, wildlife sanctuaries, and establishments licensed for on-premises consumption of liquor.
Carrying a gun is also prohibited anywhere that posts a prohibition and for anyone under the influence of liquor or drugs.
