Tasers are a viable self-defense tool, but one that isn’t particularly well understood by civilians. Even more unfortunately, it seems that many states don’t understand them particularly well either, and despite mass adoption by various police agencies, these devices remain illegal or highly restricted for civilians in some states.
Nonetheless, strides have been made in recent years concerning their legality from coast to coast, though there are still a few holdouts in the US. How about Maine? Are tasers legal in Maine?
Yes, tasers and stun guns are completely legal in Maine. You can purchase, possess and conceal a taser or stun gun in Maine with no permit or additional training required. Note that there are still restricted places where you cannot take a taser, however.
This is great news for anyone in Maine who wants a less-lethal force option for self-defense, or for folks who just aren’t comfortable with guns generally.
You won’t have any problems buying or carrying your taser in Maine, but there are still laws and other considerations you’ll need to familiarize yourself with. I’ll tell you what they are in the rest of this article…
How are Tasers Classified in Maine?
Tasers don’t really have a specific legal definition in Maine. They don’t fall under the state definition of “firearm,” which is defined as a weapon which expels a projectile by action of an explosive. Tasers don’t use explosives, although they use compressed gas for the purpose.
Accordingly, it is beneficial to look at the state definitions found in 17A Section 2 concerning deadly force and dangerous weapons. Tasers are not non-lethal weapons; they are properly categorized as less-lethal weapons because there are still capable of inflicting death or great bodily injury although they are designed not to.
Keep this in mind when you set out to acquire a taser to add to your self-defense program, because the use of any taser, even a justified use, still entails the risk of death or great bodily injury for the person struck by it.
17-A Section 2. Definitions
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8. “Deadly force” means physical force that a person uses with the intent of causing, or that a person knows to create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury. Except as provided in section 101, subsection 5, intentionally, knowingly or recklessly discharging a firearm in the direction of another person or at a moving vehicle constitutes deadly force.
9. Dangerous weapon.
A. “Use of a dangerous weapon” means the use of a firearm or other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which, in the manner it is used or threatened to be used is capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.
(1) A firearm;
(2) Any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or serious bodily injury; or
(3) Any other device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which, in the manner it is intended to be used by the actor, is capable of producing or threatening death or serious bodily injury. For purposes of this definition, the intent may be conditional.
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23. “Serious bodily injury” means a bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement or loss or substantial impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or extended convalescence necessary for recovery of physical health.
Are Stun Guns Legal in Maine?
Yes, they are. Stun guns are completely legal in Maine just like tasers are. Now, even though tasers and stun guns don’t have specific definitions under the state statutes, it is still important for you to know the difference between them so you can make intelligent choices concerning them.
A stun gun is an electroshock weapon that has electrodes fixed to the front of the device, electrodes that arc (pretty spectacularly) when the stun gun is switched on or activated. When touched to a target at contact range, they will be shocked and hopefully disabled.
A taser, on the other hand, is a device that fires a pair of probes or darts that trail wires back to the main unit. When the darts both stick to the target, a current is transmitted through them which will produce muscular disruption and temporary incapacitation.
Similar devices, but very different in practical application!
Can You Carry a Taser Openly in Maine?
Yes, you sure can. Open carry of a taser or stun gun is completely legal in Maine so long as you aren’t a prohibited person and the device itself is legal.
Can You Carry a Taser Concealed in Maine?
Yes, you can conceal carry a taser in Maine. You won’t need a permit to do so, either, since Maine is considered a constitutional carry state. But as with open carry, you must be a legal possessor of the taser or stun gun, and there are still places you aren’t allowed to carry it whether you have a permit or not. More on those in a moment.
Are there Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession in Maine?
Yes. You must be at least 18 years old to possess a taser or stun gun in Maine.
What Do You Need to Do to Purchase a Taser in Maine?
If you want to purchase a taser or stun gun in Maine, all you need to do is head to whatever retailer has these devices for sale. Usually this will be a gun shop, sporting goods store or a nicely-equipped hunting store. People don’t hunt with tasers, but they often have them for sale as convenience items.
Keep in mind you’re not allowed to be in possession of a taser in Maine if you have any sort of felony criminal record, have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, have been a juvenile delinquent and are not yet 25 years old, or if you’ve been adjudicated mentally defective or involuntarily committed as a ward of the state for whatever reason.
But assuming that none of those things apply to you, you can freely purchase a taser in Maine, or buy one off the internet or from an out-of-state vendor and have it sent directly to you.
Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Maine?
No. You do not have to complete any sort of mandatory training to purchase or possess a taser in Maine, nor is any sort of training required to carry one concealed.
Where Can You Carry a Taser in Maine?
You can carry a taser pretty much anywhere in Maine that you can carry weapons normally. However, there’s quite a long list of places where you’re not allowed to carry them.
You cannot carry your taser into any courthouse or courthouse annex, or into any government building, office or installation at any level. This includes the state capital. If any private property owner for bids the carry of weapons generally or tasers specifically on the property, you can’t carry yours there.
You also cannot carry your taser and any state or city parks where weapons are forbidden, any military bases or into the secured area of any seaport or airport or other sensitive installation.
When Can You Use a Taser to Defend Yourself in Maine?
A taser should only be used to protect yourself in cases of legitimate self-defense, particularly if you are being threatened with great bodily harm or death. The deployment of a taser itself is going to be considered a significant use of force in Maine, legally speaking. It might even be considered deadly force depending on the circumstances.
Accordingly, you should never pop off your taser just because someone’s giving you a hard time or insulting you, or in the case of a simple assault. Make sure you read the relevant sections below concerning the charges of aggravated assault and reckless conduct. That could apply to you if you act unwisely!
17-A Section 208. Aggravated assault
1. A person is guilty of aggravated assault if that person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes:
A. Bodily injury to another that creates a substantial risk of death or extended convalescence necessary for recovery of physical health. Violation of this paragraph is a Class B crime; A-1. Bodily injury to another that causes serious, permanent disfigurement or loss or substantial impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. Violation of this paragraph is a Class A crime;
B. Bodily injury to another with use of a dangerous weapon. Violation of this paragraph is a Class B crime; or
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17-A Section 211. Reckless conduct
1. A person is guilty of reckless conduct if he recklessly creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person.
Tom Marlowe practically grew up with a gun in his hand, and has held all kinds of jobs in the gun industry: range safety, sales, instruction and consulting, Tom has the experience to help civilian shooters figure out what will work best for them.