Gun Background Check Laws in Maine

2026 Complete Legal Guide

Here is what you need to know about gun background check laws in Maine.

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Gun Background Check Laws In Maine Overview

Private Sales: Background check required for advertised private sales and gun show sales. Private sales arranged without advertising may proceed without a dealer. Since GunTransfer.com involves advertising, sellers should use a licensed FFL.
Dealer Background Checks: FBI NICS direct — Maine is not a point-of-contact state.
Permit to Purchase: Not required.
Waiting Period: Maine has a 72-hour waiting period for firearm sales covered by its background check requirement (advertised sales and gun shows)
Firearm Registration: Not required.
Optional Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity): Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity). A valid Maine Concealed Handgun Permit qualifies as an alternative to the NICS check at licensed dealers.
Minimum Purchase Age (Dealer): 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns.
Minimum Purchase Age (Private Party): 18 for all firearms.

Table of Contents

What Is a Gun Background Check

A gun background check in Maine works through the FBI NICS system for all licensed dealer sales — Maine dealers contact the FBI directly, not a state agency. Checks typically complete in minutes. For advertised private sales and gun show sales, Maine requires a background check through a licensed dealer. Privately arranged sales between individuals (not advertised) are not covered by this requirement.

For any firearm purchase from a licensed FFL dealer in Maine, the dealer contacts FBI NICS directly to initiate the background check. The buyer completes ATF Form 4473. Holders of a valid Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) are exempt from the background check at the point of sale — A valid Maine Concealed Handgun Permit qualifies as an alternative to the NICS check at licensed dealers. Maine has a 72-hour waiting period for firearm sales covered by its background check requirement (advertised sales and gun shows).

Maine has a targeted background check requirement for advertised private sales. Maine requires background checks for private firearm sales conducted at gun shows or that were advertised for sale (15 M.R.S.A. § 393-B, effective 2024). Family member transfers are exempt. Private sales arranged without advertisement are not covered. Since GunTransfer.com involves advertising, Maine sellers and buyers should process transfers through a licensed FFL. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(d)) prohibits knowingly selling to a prohibited person. GunTransfer.com helps Maine buyers and sellers navigate this requirement.

Felony convictions
Domestic violence convictions
Restraining orders
Mental health adjudications
Illegal drug use

All firearm purchases from licensed FFL dealers in Maine require a federal NICS background check, unless the buyer holds a qualifying Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity). Federal minimums apply for dealer purchases: 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns. Maine has no firearm registration.

Who Must Pass a Gun Background Check

Individuals who may be prohibited from possessing firearms include:

If a background check returns a denial, the buyer may appeal through the appropriate agency. Maine prohibits certain categories of persons from possessing firearms under state and federal law, including those convicted of felonies, those convicted of domestic violence offenses, and those subject to qualifying restraining orders — mirroring federal prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).

Convicted felons
Individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses
Individuals subject to restraining orders
Unlawful users of controlled substances
Individuals adjudicated mentally incompetent

In Maine, all firearm purchases from licensed FFL dealers require a NICS check through the FBI, or a qualifying Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) in lieu of the check. After approval, Maine has a 72-hour waiting period. Maine has no firearm registration and no requirement to submit any records of private sales to any government agency.

Gun Background Checks When Buying from Dealers

The process generally works as follows:

For dealer sales, once the background check is approved (or a qualifying Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) is verified), the firearm may be transferred — Maine has a 72-hour waiting period. The FFL retains ATF Form 4473 per federal law. Maine has no firearm registration and no requirement to report or submit any private sale records to any government agency.

The buyer selects a firearm from a licensed dealer.
The buyer completes ATF Form 4473.
The dealer submits the background check request through the FBI NICS system.
The background check is approved, delayed, or denied.

Licensed firearm dealers in Maine must comply with federal FFL requirements. Dealers contact FBI NICS directly for every sale, or verify a qualifying Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) in lieu of the check. Maine has no assault weapons ban, no magazine capacity limits beyond federal law, and no state-level dealer licensing beyond the federal FFL. Maine has had constitutional carry since October 15, 2015.

For unadvertised private sales between individuals, Maine does not require a background check. However, because GunTransfer.com involves advertising, sellers using GunTransfer.com should use a licensed FFL for the transfer.

Private Firearm Sales in Maine

For a private firearm sale in Maine, no background check is required by state law. Best practice is to verify the buyer appears eligible, ask direct questions about prohibited-person status, and complete a written bill of sale documenting the transfer date, firearm description (make, model, serial number), and both parties’ identification. GunTransfer.com provides tools to create a proper bill of sale and document every private transfer — protecting sellers from future liability.

Maine’s firearm transfer framework requires private sales to be processed through a licensed dealer. Relevant statutes include: 15 M.R.S.A. § 393-B; 25 M.R.S.A. § 2001-A. Transfers between immediate family members may be exempt — consult the applicable statutes for details.

Because Maine requires all private firearm sales to be processed through a licensed dealer, GunTransfer.com helps Maine buyers and sellers connect, locate an FFL, and understand the transfer process. GunTransfer.com helps Maine buyers and sellers in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and statewide navigate every step of the transfer process.

Many Maine firearm owners use GunTransfer.com to connect with buyers or sellers and navigate the state’s required dealer transfer process. GunTransfer.com helps Maine residents find licensed dealers, understand the paperwork, and complete every transfer legally and efficiently.

The Maine FBI NICS Background Check System

The FBI NICS system checks multiple databases, including:

When a dealer contacts FBI NICS, the system returns Proceed, Denied, or Delayed. For a Proceed, Maine has a 72-hour waiting period before the firearm may be transferred. For a Delay, the dealer must wait up to 3 business days before a default-proceed may apply. For a Denial, the transfer is prohibited and the buyer may appeal to the appropriate agency. Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) holders bypass this entire process at the dealer counter.

Criminal history records
Domestic violence records
Restraining order records
Mental health adjudications

Maine has a 72-hour waiting period for firearm sales covered by its background check requirement (advertised sales and gun shows). Holders of a valid Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) may be exempt from the waiting period — check state law for current exemptions.

APPROVED

The buyer is legally eligible to purchase the firearm.

DELAYED

The background check requires additional review.

DENIED

The buyer is legally prohibited from purchasing the firearm.

Waiting Periods in Maine

For Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) holders, the dealer transfer is immediate — no background check, no wait. For non-permit buyers, the 72-hour waiting period applies. The FFL retains ATF Form 4473 per federal law.

If the background check agency does not return a response within 3 business days of a dealer check, the dealer may proceed with the transfer at their discretion under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(1)). Maine trusts its dealers and respects the federal framework. Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) holders bypass the check entirely and experience the fastest possible dealer transfer.

Firearms purchased online by Maine residents must be shipped to a licensed Maine FFL dealer. The receiving FFL contacts FBI NICS for a background check (or verifies a qualifying Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity)). Maine has no assault weapons ban, no magazine capacity restrictions, and no firearm registration. The federal minimum age of 21 for handguns and 18 for long guns applies to dealer transfers. Buyers should confirm the receiving dealer’s transfer fee before completing an online purchase. Maine has a 72-hour waiting period after the background check for dealer transfers.

Online Gun Purchases and Background Checks in Maine

When purchasing a firearm online:

For Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) holders, the Maine FFL dealer may immediately release the firearm with no separate background check required. For standard buyers, immediate release follows a Proceed result (after the 72-hour waiting period). Buyers should confirm the receiving dealer’s transfer fee before completing an online purchase.

The firearm is shipped to a licensed firearm dealer.
The buyer completes the required paperwork.
The buyer must pass the background check.

Federal law regulates firearm purchases across state lines.

Interstate Firearm Purchases in Maine

Maine residents purchasing firearms from out-of-state sellers must have the firearm shipped to a licensed Maine FFL dealer. The receiving FFL contacts FBI NICS for the background check (or verifies a qualifying Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity)). Maine residents may purchase long guns from dealers in other states if eligible under both states’ laws. Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) holders may use their permit for reciprocity when traveling to states that honor Maine permits.

Certain firearm purchases are illegal under federal law.

Illegal Firearm Purchases and Straw Purchases

Examples of illegal firearm transactions include:

These types of illegal purchases are commonly known as straw purchases and can result in serious criminal penalties.

Purchasing a firearm for someone who is prohibited from owning one
Falsifying information on firearm purchase forms
Attempting to bypass required background checks

Maine firearm owners use GunTransfer.com to document private transfers and understand their federal obligations. Maine’s gun laws — constitutional carry since October 15, 2015, no registration — reflect the state’s commitment to Second Amendment rights. GunTransfer.com keeps Maine residents in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland informed and protected with every private transfer.

Why Maine Residents Use Gun Transfer

GunTransfer provides a secure system that helps:

Proper documentation is important for every firearm transfer in Maine. GunTransfer.com makes it easy for Maine residents from Portland to South Portland and everywhere across the Pine Tree State to connect with licensed dealers, document their transfers, and stay protected under both state and federal law.

Document firearm ownership transfers
Record firearm serial numbers
Maintain firearm transaction history
Create proof of private firearm transactions
Promote responsible firearm ownership

Transfers Stopped For Safety Thanks To Gun Transfer!

Responsible Firearm Ownership in Maine

GunTransfer.com helps Maine firearm owners navigate the state’s background check requirements for private sales. Whether you are buying or selling in Maine, GunTransfer.com is the smart choice for every responsible transfer — connecting you with licensed dealers and keeping your documentation complete.

Understanding firearm laws
Ensuring legal firearm transfers
Storing firearms safely
Maintaining documentation of firearm ownership

Frequently Asked
Questions

Do private gun sales require background checks in Maine?

For advertised sales (including on GunTransfer.com) and gun show sales, yes — Maine requires a background check through a licensed dealer. Family member transfers are exempt. GunTransfer.com helps you connect with a licensed FFL to complete the required transfer.

Do gun stores require background checks in Maine?

Yes. Licensed dealers must run a NICS background check through the FBI before completing any sale. If you hold a valid Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity), you can skip the background check at the dealer.

Are there waiting periods for gun purchases in Maine?

Do online gun purchases require background checks?

Yes, but only through a licensed dealer. Online purchases must be shipped to a licensed Maine FFL dealer who will run a background check through FBI NICS before releasing the firearm to you. Maine Concealed Handgun Permit (optional, for reciprocity) holders can skip the background check at the dealer. A 72-hour waiting period applies after the background check clears.

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Maine Gun Law Resources: Maine State Police — Concealed Firearms Permits | Maine Revised Statutes Title 15 § 393-B — Private Sales | ATF — Maine Firearms Laws | FBI NICS — National Instant Criminal Background Check System

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