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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1299S.P. 529 In Senate, March 25, 2025
An Act to Prohibit the Unsecured Storage of Handguns in Motor
Vehicles
Reference to the Committee on Judiciary suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative DOUDERA of Camden and
Senators: CARNEY of Cumberland, President DAUGHTRY of Cumberland, ROTUNDO of
Androscoggin, Representatives: ABDI of Lewiston, CLOUTIER of Lewiston, Speaker
FECTEAU of Biddeford, KUHN of Falmouth, LEE of Auburn. Page 1 - 132LR0222(01)
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2 is enacted to read:
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4 As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
5 following terms have the following meanings.
6 A. "Handgun" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 554-B, subsection 1,
7 paragraph A.
8 B. "Law enforcement officer" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2,
9 subsection 17.
10 C. "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 42.
11 A person may not intentionally or knowingly store a handgun in an
12 unoccupied motor vehicle unless:
13 A. The handgun is stored out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container; and
14 B. The motor vehicle, including the trunk, is locked.
15 Except as provided in subsection 4, a person who violates subsection 2
16 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500
17 may be adjudged, except that a person who violates subsection 2 after having previously
18 been adjudicated as violating subsection 2 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not
19 less than $500 and not more than $1,000 may be adjudged.
20 The prohibition in subsection 2 does not apply to the storage of a
21 handgun by the following persons:
22 A. A law enforcement officer;
23 B. A person who possesses a valid hunting license or permit issued by the Department
24 of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and is engaged in hunting activities authorized by that
25 license or permit;
26 C. A person engaged in the instruction of a hunter education program or handgun
27 safety program offered or facilitated by the Department of Inland Fisheries and
28 Wildlife pursuant to Title 12, section 10108; and
29 D. A person who is a member of the National Guard or the Reserves of the United
30 States Armed Forces and is under an order to active duty.
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32 This bill prohibits a person from intentionally or knowingly storing a handgun in an
33 unoccupied motor vehicle unless the handgun is stored out of plain view in a locked
34 hard-sided container and the motor vehicle, including the trunk, is locked. The bill includes
35 a number of exceptions to this prohibition. A person who violates this prohibition commits
36 a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500 may be
37 adjudged, except that a person who violates the prohibition after having previously been
38 adjudicated as violating the prohibition may be adjudged a fine of not less than $500 and
39 not more than $1,000.
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