Is a Wisconsin Non-Resident Permit Valid in Maine?

Why

• Wisconsin does not issue carry permits to non-residents (issued only to wisconsin residents (valid wi driver's license or id required) or active-duty military stationed in wisconsin (wi doj ccw faq)).

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

Maine's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• 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

Maine bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Courthouses
• Schools and school property

See all 6 places you can't carry in Maine →

Wisconsin vs Maine: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Wisconsin into Maine changes 2 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); out-of-state permits honored (46 states → 23 states).

Going the other way, a Maine non-resident permit in Wisconsin: not recognized.

Driving on from Maine

How a Wisconsin non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Maine:

• New Hampshire — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Maine honor a Wisconsin resident permit?

Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Maine treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Maine non-resident permit holder carry in Wisconsin?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Wisconsin's law, not Maine's.

Does Wisconsin issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Wisconsin issues carry permits to residents only (issued only to Wisconsin residents (valid WI driver's license or ID required) or active-duty military stationed in Wisconsin (WI DOJ CCW FAQ)). 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.