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I have a question

Heather Lee

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
12
Location
maine
I just have a question if anyone can help me. I'm a 22 year old female. Looking to buy my first gun. But I'm not familiar with the laws. Can I open carry without having a permit. Can i carry conceiled ?Do I have to have the gun registered to me? Can I open carry in stores like walmart? Or small convenient stores? Can I carry a loaded gun in Open carry or concealed? I can't seem to get a simple answer from any of the government sites. I feel stupid for asking

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--Moderator note: Moved post and created a thread as is state specific--
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Heather Lee

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
12
Location
maine
Buying my first gun!

Help!
I'm buying my very first gun tomorrow.
I'm not a felon. 22 year old female.
I have a valid drivers licence.
So with that being said. My questions are as the following.
•do I have to register my gun or take classes?
Do I have to have a permit to own /carry my gun.

•can I open carry?
If so... does the gun have to be empty? Or can it be loaded.
Can I open carry in places like walmart?
Can a cop ask for my id?

Conceiled questions. Can I carry a conceiled handgun? Can it be loaded or does sit have to be empty. Do I have to have a permit?
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
Welcome

Considering you meet all the requirements under federal laws it shouldn't be hard for you to go to a gun store and buy a firearm.

I would suggest that you find some one to give you some training to the proper use, care and handling the firearm of your choice.

Here's a link to a over view of Maine gun laws

https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/
 
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qednick

Regular Member
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
499
Location
Bandera, TX
I just have a question if anyone can help me. I'm a 22 year old female. Looking to buy my first gun. But I'm not familiar with the laws. Can I open carry without having a permit. Can i carry conceiled ?Do I have to have the gun registered to me? Can I open carry in stores like walmart? Or small convenient stores? Can I carry a loaded gun in Open carry or concealed? I can't seem to get a simple answer from any of the government sites. I feel stupid for asking

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Hello and welcome to the forums! You are the spitting image of our youngest BTW--I actually thought it was her posting :lol:

You don't need a permit to carry in Maine (open or concealed) though I do recommend getting a permit at some point for the benefits it brings. Here's a link to Maine laws:

http://handgunlaw.us/states/maine.pdf

There is no handgun registration in Maine. Yes you can carry in WalMart and other places that do not prohibit carry either by signs or law. Be vigilant and be careful not to carry into prohibited places such as post offices, places that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption, court rooms, etc. and be careful near schools. The gun may be loaded but I'm not sure whether you can have one in the chamber if carrying in a vehicle in Maine. Perhaps a Maine member can chime in on that?

What are you planning on buying? If you want something suitable for both open and concealed carry I highly recommend Smith & Wesson MP Shield or the new Taurus PT111 G2 series.

Whatever you get, take it to the range and practice practice practice. Get used to the weapon inside and out before carrying it!
 

Heather Lee

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
12
Location
maine
Hello and welcome to the forums! You are the spitting image of our youngest BTW--I actually thought it was her posting[emoji38]
You don't need a permit to carry in Maine (open or concealed) though I do recommend getting a permit at some point for the benefits it brings. Here's a link to Maine laws:

http://handgunlaw.us/states/maine.pdf

There is no handgun registration in Maine. Yes you can carry in WalMart and other places that do not prohibit carry either by signs or law. Be vigilant and be careful not to carry into prohibited places such as post offices, places that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption, court rooms, etc. and be careful near schools. The gun may be loaded but I'm not sure whether you can have one in the chamber if carrying in a vehicle in Maine. Perhaps a Maine member can chime in on that?

What are you planning on buying? If you want something suitable for both open and concealed carry I highly recommend Smith & Wesson MP Shield or the new Taurus PT111 G2 series.

Whatever you get, take it to the range and practice practice practice. Get used to the weapon inside and out before carrying it!
I plan on getting a ruger lc9 9mm.
If cabellas has any left.
Know anything about it.
 

solus

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
Messages
9,315
Location
here nc
Welcome to the forum...

you have been given specifics to find the Maine statutes re firearms, some suggestions re firearm purchase...

another tidbit...http://www.nrainstructors.org/SearchResults.aspx?State=y&SearchState=ME&id=2&bsa=&youth=&women=
this is off the NRA's course listing and shows those NRA Basic Pistol classes for your state. this course will provide you the unemotionally & unbiased pistol BASICs of firearm safety, revolver/pistol types, how to hold, how to select, as well as how to maintain your new acquisition.

i liken it to not allow a relative teaching you how to drive but go to the accredited, certified, professional to learn.

look forward to your future participation out here on the forum.

ipse
 

Heather Lee

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
12
Location
maine
I made my purchase last night. My dad is an avid gun collector. I plan on taking my gun to target practice this weekend. Thank you guys for all of your help. I've shot guns before but not this one. So I kinda know a little bit about what I am doing. The basics anyways.

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Heather Lee

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
12
Location
maine
Don't buy a Glock, other than that, good luck and welcome.
I ended up buying a ruger sr22.
Welcome

Considering you meet all the requirements under federal laws it shouldn't be hard for you to go to a gun store and buy a firearm.

I would suggest that you find some one to give you some training to the proper use, care and handling the firearm of your choice.

Here's a link to a over view of Maine gun laws

https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/


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qednick

Regular Member
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
499
Location
Bandera, TX
I ended up buying a ruger sr22.



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A great intro pistol with excellent reviews. Eventually, you'll want to expand your collection and move up in caliber. Once you get used to the weapon and carrying it, please come back and share your experiences!
 

WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
Just make sure to buy the premium ammo for your SR for carry, not the budget bulk ammo. While the gun has a great reputation, lately 22lr bulk has faltered.
 

Heather Lee

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
12
Location
maine
Just make sure to buy the premium ammo for your SR for carry, not the budget bulk ammo. While the gun has a great reputation, lately 22lr bulk has faltered.
I got 50 bullets for 20$ he told me it's the better kind.

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Citizen

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
18,269
Location
Fairfax Co., VA
I should hope so!

Now, now. Be nice, Nightmare. :p:)

Premium defensive ammo can easily cost $1 per cartridge.


ETA <facepalm> only after posting did I notice Heather's post about buying a .22. But, you still gotta be nice, Nightmare. :p:)
 
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WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
Now, now. Be nice, Nightmare. :p:)

Premium defensive ammo can easily cost $1 per cartridge.


ETA <facepalm> only after posting did I notice Heather's post about buying a .22. But, you still gotta be nice, Nightmare. :p:)

$20 seems a little stiff, but with the unobtanium prices of the good stuff are high where they have it. I have been trying to pick up a couple boxes of hyper velocity for over a year with no luck. But since my 22 is a revolver, and I do not carry it for SD I can live with my decades old stash of rimfire.

In any case if indeed it is quality ammo her life is worth 20 bucks.
 

WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
Fifty dollars! 40¢/round of .22

Most 22 comes in a hundred pack, unless he sold them loose to her I would guess she meant 100. Plus she said 20 bucks for fifty, not the other way around.

She basically paid centerfire price for rimfire if she got 50.
 
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Heather Lee

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2016
Messages
12
Location
maine
Expanding Full Metal Jacket, but with a 22 expansion is not what you need to concentrate on. Shot placement, and penetration should be your primary concern.
I'm gonna do some target practicing this weekend so I'll post a picture of my target :)

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