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Maine Suppressor Laws

Suppressors are legal in Maine. Hunting with suppressors is permitted.

Reviewed by Diego Lopez, Head of Enforcement · Last reviewed August 21, 2026

Legal
Ownership Status
Allowed
Hunting Status
Federal
Requirements
$0
Tax (2026)

August 5 NFA Ruling

Updated August 21, 2026

A federal court ruled that the government cannot enforce certain NFA registration requirements against the parties covered by that case. It is not a repeal of the NFA, it is not nationwide, and it does not change state law.

Maine: state law does not tie suppressor possession to federal NFA registration. The federal questions still apply, including what happens the first time you cross into one of the fifteen states that do.

Read how this may affect you →

Ownership Requirements

To own a suppressor in Maine, you must meet federal requirements:

  • Be 21 years or older to purchase from a dealer (a trustee on a trust can be 18 or older)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
  • Be legally allowed to possess firearms
  • Complete ATF Form 4 with fingerprints and photograph
  • Pass FBI background check

Maine does not impose additional state requirements beyond federal law.

Hunting Regulations

Hunting with a suppressor is legal in Maine, and state law or the state wildlife agency says so expressly.

The prohibition at 12 M.R.S. § 11214(1)(C) was repealed by PL 2021 c. 112 § 3. Maine DIFW states that a person no longer needs a Warden Service permit to hunt with a suppressor, but still needs the federal tax stamp to possess one.

Verify this yourself before you hunt

Hunting rules change by agency action as well as by legislature, and they can change between seasons. This reflects our reading of the sources cited above as of August 21, 2026. Before you take a suppressor into the field, read the current regulations guide from your state wildlife agency and confirm anything you are unsure about with them directly. Do not rely on this page, on a forum post, or on a dealer. The person holding the firearm is the person the warden talks to. This is general information, not legal advice.

State-Specific Notes

Maine legalized suppressor hunting in 2015. The state now allows suppressors for all legal hunting activities under federal guidelines.

How to Buy in Maine

The process for buying a suppressor in Maine is straightforward:

  1. Choose a suppressor from Capitol Armory
  2. Submit fingerprints and photograph online
  3. Review and sign. Capitol Armory completes the paperwork, you sign digitally.
  4. Wait for ATF approval (currently days to weeks for eForm)
  5. After approval, we ship direct to your residence

Capitol Armory ships to Maine and offers direct-to-door delivery in all 42 suppressor-friendly states. See our complete buying guide for detailed steps.

What State Law Actually Says

Maine deregulated the subject entirely. The suppressor-hunting authorization at 12 M.R.S. § 11161 was repealed by PL 2021, c. 112, § 2, and the residual prohibition at § 11214(1)(C) was repealed by the same act. The Revisor’s page for § 11161 now reads only “(REPEALED).”

No Maine statute prohibits or licenses suppressors.

Local Rules and Preemption

25 M.R.S. § 2011(1): “The State intends to occupy and preempt the entire field of legislation concerning the regulation of firearms, components, ammunition and supplies,” and conflicting local rules are void. Me. Const. art. I, § 16: “Every citizen has a right to keep and bear arms and this right shall never be questioned.”

Worth Knowing

Maine has one of the stronger CLEO shall-sign statutes. 25 M.R.S. § 2013(2) requires certification within 15 days, bars denial “based upon a generalized objection,” and § 2013(5) provides District Court review de novo with costs and attorney’s fees to a prevailing applicant.

Check our work

Every statute quoted above is linked to the official state source. Read it yourself before you rely on it.

Key Takeaway

Suppressors are legal in Maine with no state-level restrictions beyond federal requirements. Hunting with suppressors is permitted for all legal game.