An Act to Prohibit the Unsecured Storage of Handguns in Motor
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1299
Committee: Judiciary
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, DOUDERA, DAUGHTRY, FECTEAU
Amends: 25 MRSA §2017

Legislative Document
No. 1299
S.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.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  25 MRSA §2017 is enacted to read:
§2017.  Prohibition on unsecured storage of handgun in motor vehicle
1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A.  "Handgun" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 554-B, subsection 1, 
paragraph A.
B.  "Law enforcement officer" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2, 
subsection 17.
C.  "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 42.
2.  Prohibition.  A person may not intentionally or knowingly store a handgun in an 
unoccupied motor vehicle unless:
A.  The handgun is stored out of plain view in a locked hard-sided container; and
B.  The motor vehicle, including the trunk, is locked.
3.  Penalty.  Except as provided in subsection 4, a person who violates subsection 2 
commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500 
may be adjudged, except that a person who violates subsection 2 after having previously 
been adjudicated as violating subsection 2 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not 
less than $500 and not more than $1,000 may be adjudged. 
4.  Exceptions.  The prohibition in subsection 2 does not apply to the storage of a 
handgun by the following persons:
A.  A law enforcement officer;
B.  A person who possesses a valid hunting license or permit issued by the Department 
of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and is engaged in hunting activities authorized by that 
license or permit;
C.  A person engaged in the instruction of a hunter education program or handgun 
safety program offered or facilitated by the Department of Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife pursuant to Title 12, section 10108; and
D.  A person who is a member of the National Guard or the Reserves of the United 
States Armed Forces and is under an order to active duty.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person from intentionally or knowingly storing a handgun in an 
unoccupied motor vehicle unless the handgun is stored out of plain view in a locked 
hard-sided container and the motor vehicle, including the trunk, is locked.  The bill includes 
a number of exceptions to this prohibition.  A person who violates this prohibition commits 
a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500 may be 
adjudged, except that a person who violates the prohibition after having previously been 
adjudicated as violating the prohibition may be adjudged a fine of not less than $500 and 
not more than $1,000.