Maine prohibits any person from knowingly transferring a handgun to a person who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under age 18.¹

Maine also prohibits anyone other than a parent, foster parent or guardian (or another adult approved by the parent, foster parent or guardian) from knowingly selling or transferring a long gun to a person under age 16.² Maine also prohibits anyone other than a parent, foster parent or guardian or another adult approved by the parent, foster parent or guardian from knowingly selling a long gun to minors between the ages of 16 and 18 but this restriction does not apply to transfers.³

 Federal age restrictions impose stricter limits.

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1. Me. Stat., 17-A § 554-B(2). The term “minor” is defined as a person under 18 years of age, per Me. Stat., 17-A § 554-B(1)(B). However, section 554-B does not apply to:
   • The temporary transfer of a handgun to a minor: 1) with the prior written consent of the minor’s parent or guardian and that parent or guardian is not prohibited by federal, state or local law from possessing a firearm; or 2) in the course of employment, target practice, hunting or instruction in the safe and lawful use of a handgun;
   • A minor who is a member of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard who possesses or is armed with a handgun in the line of duty;
   • A transfer by inheritance of title to, but not possession of, a handgun to a minor; or
   • The transfer of a handgun to a minor when the minor takes the handgun in self-defense or in defense of another person against an intruder into the residence of the minor or a residence in which the minor is an invited guest.

   Section 554-B(3).[↩]

2. Me. Stat., 17-A § 554-A.[↩]
3. Id.[↩]