Maine § 2001-A. - Threatening display of or carrying concealed weapon
Full text of Maine Maine Revised Statutes § 2001-A. — Threatening display of or carrying concealed weapon, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 2001-A.. Threatening display of or carrying concealed weapon
1. Display or carrying prohibited. A person may not, unless excepted by a provision of law:
A. Display in a threatening manner a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person; or [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
B. Wear under the person's clothes or conceal about the person's person a firearm, slungshot, knuckles, bowie knife, dirk, stiletto or other dangerous or deadly weapon usually employed in the attack on or defense of a person. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. N, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
2. Exceptions. The provisions of this section concerning the carrying of concealed weapons do not apply to:
A. A handgun carried by a person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun has been issued as provided in this chapter; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
A-1. A handgun carried by a person who is 21 years of age or older and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm or is 18 years of age or older and under 21 years of age and is on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard or is an honorably discharged veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm; [PL 2015, c. 327, §2 (NEW).]
B. Disabling chemicals as described in Title 17‑A, section 1002; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
C. Knives used to hunt, fish or trap as defined in Title 12, section 10001; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
D. A handgun carried by a law enforcement officer, a corrections officer or a corrections supervisor as permitted in writing by the officer's or supervisor's employer; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
E. A firearm carried by a person engaged in conduct for which a state-issued hunting or trapping license is required and possessing the required license, or a firearm carried by a resident person engaged in conduct expressly authorized by Title 12, section 11108 and section 12202, subsection 1. This paragraph does not authorize or permit the carrying of a concealed or loaded firearm in a motor vehicle; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
F. A handgun carried by a person to whom a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun has been issued by that person's state of residence if that person's state of residence honors a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued under this chapter; [PL 2015, c. 144, §1 (RPR).]
G. A handgun carried by an authorized federal, state or local law enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's official duties; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
H. A handgun carried by a qualified law enforcement officer pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 926B. The qualified law enforcement officer must have in the law enforcement officer's possession photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency by which the person is employed as a law enforcement officer; and [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
I. A handgun carried by a qualified retired law enforcement officer pursuant to 18 United States Code, Section 926C. The qualified retired law enforcement officer must have in the retired law enforcement officer's possession:
(2) Photographic identification issued by the law enforcement agency from which the person retired from service as a law enforcement officer and a certification issued by the state in which the person resides that indicates that the person has, not less recently than one year before the date the person carries the concealed handgun, been tested or otherwise found by that state to meet the standards established by that state for training and qualification for an active law enforcement officer to carry a handgun of the same type as the concealed handgun. [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §24 (RPR).]
3. Firearm safety brochure. Upon purchase of a handgun, a person exempt under subsection 2, paragraph A‑1 shall sign in the presence of the firearm dealer an acknowledgment that the person was provided a basic firearm safety brochure in accordance with section 2012, subsection 2, paragraph A. The purchaser shall retain the acknowledgment. The Department of Public Safety shall post on the department's publicly accessible website a basic firearm safety brochure, an acknowledgment form and a list of safety programs certified by a national nonprofit membership organization that provides a volunteer safety program, including the training of people in the safe handling and use of handguns.
Source: official Maine text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine § 2001-A.
What does Maine Revised Statutes § 2001-A. cover?
Section 2001-A. ("Threatening display of or carrying concealed weapon") is part of the Maine Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Maine. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Maine § 2001-A.?
A common citation format is "Maine Revised Statutes § 2001-A." (Maine). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Maine law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maine official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maine attorney.
How does Maine § 2001-A. apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maine can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maine.