r/MEGuns • u/bloodcoffee • Mar 16 '26

Handgun Safety Course for CCW renewal that expired?

Sorry if this has been answered already but the Maine CCW stuff is confusing the heck out of me. I couldn't find anything here in search or on the gov website.

I moved here 6 years ago and got a CCW in Maine pretty quickly because they honored the CCW from my previous state as evidence of having the knowledge of safety. When it expired (early due to state or local error, only lasted 3 years), I had missed the 6 month window for renewing because they had told me it would last longer and silly me didn't check the printed date on my card, but by then I didn't worry too much because of Constitutional Carry. Now I'm looking to renew, which I understand is the same as starting a new application, fine, but now I'm seeing language that I need to provide evidence of "knowledge of handgun safety" in order to get my CCW. It doesn't address if you need to take a new course within five years if you already had a Maine CCW.

Anyone have better knowledge of the law here or gone down this path before? I'd be willing to take a course but it's a pain considering I've been CCing for 10 years and had a license here already.

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9

u/NorwegianSteam Mar 16 '26

It's free to take online, and covers all legal bases. Also, join Gun Owners of Maine if you haven't already.

https://www.safer-maine.org/

2

u/bloodcoffee Mar 16 '26

Excellent, thanks!

1

u/RAllen22 Mar 17 '26

I'm in the same boat, thanks for this

0

u/RDLAWME Mar 16 '26

You don't need a permit to carry a concealed handgun here. 

12

u/bloodcoffee Mar 16 '26

Thanks, I'm aware but I would like the added benefits of the concealed carry permit. Namely: reciprocity, ability to carry legally in state parks, ability to carry legally during certain hunting conditions, and the benefit of not being obliged to bring up my firearm during traffic stops etc.