Texas-Maine reciprocity

[RHenriksen]

I visit Maine a few times a year. I went to their state gov website for information on non-resident CHLs, and was interested to see that they've added three states to their reciprocity list this year. I thought I'd see if they had plans to add Texas before I spent the $60 on an extra piece of plastic to thicken my wallet.

I emailed one of the state trooper addresses on their 'contact us' page, and very promptly got back this reply. Not good news, but I was very impressed by the clarity, promptness, and completeness of his response:

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Dear Mr. Henriksen my name is Lieutenant David Bowler and I am the Commanding Officer of the Special Investigations Unit for the Maine State Police. Part of my responsibilities is dealing with firearms laws for the State of Maine. I have been asked to follow up on your question about reciprocity between Maine and Texas. Back several years ago my unit was tasked with researching all the concealed firearms laws for every state in the country. The purpose was to compare our laws to all the others. In order for us to reach an agreement with another state that state’s laws had to be equal or more strict then Maine law. Our research took a long time to complete, as you can imagine, and in the end Texas fell in the category of being stricter than Maine law, therefore Texas would not enter into an agreement with Maine. There were actually ten other states that fell in this category with Texas. That is the current status between Maine and Texas and there is no other work being completed at this time. I would recommend that you apply for your non resident concealed firearms permit instead of waiting for an agreement to be reached between Maine and Texas. If there ever is an agreement reached it will be posted on our website. I hope this information has been helpful.

Respectfully Lt. Bowler

Lieutenant David E. Bowler
164 State House Station
Augusta, Me. 04333
207-624-7211

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It does make me wonder why Maine won't accept unilaterally Texas CHLs, if they recognize that our requirements are more stringent than theirs? Is this a tit-for-tat thing, or is there some bureaucratic requirement for two-way recognition or nothing?

Unfortunately I haven't yet gotten the same sort of straight answer to my question on whether the 10 hours class & shooting qualification of my Texas CHL meets the 'handgun safety course' in the Maine statute below. *I* think it does, but it'd be nice to get a definitive answer before sending off my paperwork to Augusta for processing. Getting it kicked back because someone up there decided the Texas CHL doesn't satisfy the below would just be aggravating.

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(5) Demonstrates to the issuing authority knowledge of handgun safety. The applicant may fully satisfy this requirement by submitting to the issuing authority, through documentation in accordance with this subparagraph, proof that the applicant has within 5 years prior to the date of application completed a course that included handgun safety offered by or under the supervision of a federal, state, county or municipal law enforcement agency or a firearms instructor certified by a private firearms association recognized as knowledgeable in matters of firearms safety by the issuing authority or by the state in which the course was taken. A course completion certificate or other document, or a photocopy, is sufficient if it recites or otherwise demonstrates that the course meets all of the requirements of this subparagraph.
As an alternative way of fully satisfying this requirement, an applicant may personally demonstrate knowledge of handgun safety to an issuing authority, if the issuing authority is willing to evaluate an applicant's personal demonstration of such knowledge. The issuing authority is not required to offer this 2nd option.
The demonstration of knowledge of handgun safety to the issuing authority may not be required of any applicant who holds a valid State permit to carry a concealed firearm as of April 15, 1990 or of any applicant who was or is in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and has received at least basic firearms training.
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[Keith B]

Some states will go ahead and accept another more stringent state even is that state doesn't accept the less strict states CHL. However, many states want unilateral reciprocity before they will add the other state to their list.

[RHenriksen]

I received a follow up which bodes well for not having to jump through additional certification courses:

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Dear sir a passport [in lieu of a birth certificate - Ed] is fine and if you would like to mail your documentation/proof of the firearms courses you took we will review it. I do not believe there will be an issue with what you have described to me. Any further assistance you may need I will have Joanne Cummings assist you. Joanne is our clerk that handles all the permitting for non residents. I hope this was helpful. Lt. Bowler

Lieutenant David E. Bowler
164 State House Station
Augusta, Me. 04333
207-624-7211

[stevie_d_64]

Lt. Bowler sounds like a reasonable professional...Very helpful and cordule in his responses...Someone who would be good to do business with...

[joe817]

Lt. Bowler sounds like a reasonable professional...Very helpful and cordule in his responses...Someone who would be good to do business with...

[RHenriksen]

As pleasant as Lt Bowler was initially, my overall experience w. his department was rather different. I eventually achieved my goal, but not without significant delay & hassle. The whining is documented here:

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... 99#p354299" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;