Key Takeaways
- Maine State Police quietly added Arkansas, Indiana, South Dakota and Tennessee back to its concealed carry permit reciprocity list.
- The agency has not explained why the four states were removed or why they were later added back to the list.
- Maine law requires the state to recognize permits from any state that honors Maine’s permit, and all four states still did.
- Whether Maine recognizes an out-of-state permit affects how encounters with law enforcement play out and where holders can legally carry.
- Recognition lists can change without notice, as this one did twice, so out-of-state permit holders should check current listings before traveling.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
AUGUSTA, ME — Arkansas, Indiana, South Dakota and Tennessee are back on the Maine State Police list of states whose concealed carry permits Maine recognizes. The agency still has not told me why they were removed in the first place.
Last month I covered Maine Quietly Drops Permit Reciprocity With Four States That Still Honor Its Permit, and Nobody Has Said Why after those four states disappeared from the reciprocity page with no explanation. I contacted the Maine State Police Weapons and Professional Licensing Unit for a statement, and the office replied that it would look into it. I never heard back. The four states have since been added back to the list.
Nothing in Maine law changed when the states were dropped. Maine’s recognition is set by state law, not by a negotiated agreement with each state. The law requires Maine to honor permits from states that honor Maine’s permit. When I covered the removal, all four states still honored Maine’s permit, which is why taking them off the list never matched the law.
The listing matters for permit holders from those states. Whether Maine recognizes your permit affects how an encounter with law enforcement plays out and where you can legally carry, including state parks.
More from USA Carry:
I have updated my concealed carry reciprocity maps to show Maine recognizing all four states again. If you plan to carry in Maine on an out-of-state permit, check the maps and my Maine concealed carry guide before you travel. Recognition lists can change without notice, as this one did twice.
The Maine State Police has not explained the removal or the reversal. I will continue tracking whether the agency offers an explanation for either change.
