Is a South Dakota Non-Resident Permit Valid in Maine?

Why

• South Dakota does not issue carry permits to non-residents (no non-resident permits — the applicant must have physically resided in and be a resident of the county of application for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (sdcl 23-7-7.1)).

Maine recognizes a permit 'issued by another state to its resident' only where that state recognizes Maine's resident permit - non-resident permits are not honored. Extra conditions: permit holders from Alaska, Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Virginia must be 21+ (Virginia holders must also carry government-issued photo ID). In practice most visitors 21+ may simply carry permitless.

Carry rules in Maine

Carry law is state law. From the moment you enter Maine, these rules replace the ones you know from South Dakota.

• Permit holders have no proactive duty to inform. A person carrying WITHOUT a permit under Maine's permitless-carry law must immediately inform the officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun upon any routine stop, detention or arrest.
• Maine sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Maine allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A person 21+ who may legally possess a firearm may keep a loaded concealed handgun in a vehicle without a permit, but if carrying without a permit must immediately inform law enforcement during any stop.

Off-limits places in Maine

• Courthouses
• Schools and school property
• State Capitol area
• Establishments licensed for on-premises liquor consumption where posted, and while drinking
• Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park (per Maine State Police guidance)
• State parks and wildlife sanctuaries (per Maine State Police guidance)

Frequently asked questions

Is a South Dakota non-resident permit valid in Maine?

None issued, so none recognized. South Dakota keeps its permits resident-only (no non-resident permits — the applicant must have physically resided in and be a resident of the county of application for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (SDCL 23-7-7.1)). Your route to carrying in Maine runs through a permit you are eligible to obtain elsewhere.

Do I have to tell police in Maine that I am carrying?

Permit holders have no proactive duty to inform. A person carrying WITHOUT a permit under Maine's permitless-carry law must immediately inform the officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun upon any routine stop, detention or arrest.

Does Maine limit magazine capacity?

Maine sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Maine without any permit?

Maine allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does South Dakota issue non-resident carry permits?

No. South Dakota issues carry permits to residents only (no non-resident permits — the applicant must have physically resided in and be a resident of the county of application for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (SDCL 23-7-7.1)). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.