Maine 80 Percent Lower Laws
Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).
Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.
To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here.
What is an 80% Lower?
An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and a three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80 lower receivers we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.
Are 80 Lowers Legal In Maine?
As of this guide’s initial publish date, 80% lower receivers and frames are not considered as firearms by the ATF and are legal to ship directly to buyers residing in the state of Maine.
Do I Need to Serialize My 80 Lower in Maine?
If you build out your own firearms starting with 80 lowers in Maine you do not need to serialize the lower receiver or frame as there are currently no laws requiring citizens to do so. Should you wish to serialize your lower receiver we offer custom engraving for our lowers.
Key Gun Laws in Maine
Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Maine.
Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements
The state of Maine only requires individuals to be 18 years of age in order to legally purchase a handgun. For long guns the minimum age for a person to possess one is 16 years of age. The exception to this is if a parent, foster parent, or legal guardian transfers it to the minor. All the other normal exceptions apply for minors in terms for when they’re allowed to possess or transport a handgun: when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, traveling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian.
All firearm purchases require a background check (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Maine is not a point of contact for the NICS and as a result, dealers must conduct their background checks by going through the FBI directly. Private party transfers do not require background checks.
Open and Concealed Carrying
Maine is a constitutional carry state which means any legally eligible civilian above the age of 21 years old and any active duty or honorably discharged military members at least 18 years of age can open carry firearms in public. Maine is a “shall-issue” state and continues to offer ccw’s in the form of (CCH’s) or Concealed Carry Handguns which is also available to non-residents. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of the state and complete a state approved firearms training course. Of course, some areas are off limits such as Acadia National Park. For more details on Maine’s concealed carry policies please check out this reciprocity map here.
NFA Restrictions
There are no NFA weapons or items restrictions in Maine and there are no assault weapon bans.
Magazine Capacity Restrictions
There are no magazine capacity restrictions in Maine. Enjoy those drums and belt-fed box magazines! We carry plenty of standard capacity magazines like this 30-round magazine from Lancer. Our favorite color is the translucent smoke one.
Mandatory Storage Requirements
There are no mandatory storage requirements for firearms in Maine, however, you should still exercise caution and can be tried for negligently leaving your guns accessible to children. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are some great storage options.
Self-Defense
When in Maine, there is no duty to retreat before force for self-defense can be used because there is a stand your ground law in place and a castle doctrine.
Ammunition Purchase
In order to buy ammo in Maine the buyer must be at least 16 years old. Maine prohibits the manufacturing, possession or sale of armor-piercing bullets. Maine does not require a license for the sale, purchase or possession of ammunition. Sellers are not required to maintain a sales record. All online bulk ammo sales require buyers to be at least 21 years old.
Start Your Next 80 Lower Build with 80% Arms!
Maine residents are completely free to build their own firearms from 80 lowers and frames without any required serialization or FFL transactions. It's the perfect state to take advantage of your constitutional Second Amendment right and freedom to keep and bear arms. That includes 80% Arms! Grab an 80 lower jig and some buddies to enjoy that freedom together and let us know if you need any advice with your build at any point in the process. Friends, live free.