Maine criminal charge
Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor in Maine
Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 554-B. Its classification is not fixed: Maine assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 554-B.
What is the penalty for unlawful transfer of handgun to minor in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — base offense — Applies to a person who violates this section, unless the prior-conviction provision in paragraph B applies.; the statutory maximum is 'less than one year' (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(D)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $2,000 (Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — base offense — Applies to a person who violates this section, unless the prior-conviction provision in paragraph B applies.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(4)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — with prior conviction — Applies when the person violates this section and has one or more prior convictions under this section or for substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(C)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (§1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — with prior conviction — Applies when the person violates this section and has one or more prior convictions under this section or for substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(3)); organizations up to $20,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is unlawful transfer of handgun to minor classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — base offense | Class D Crime | Applies to a person who violates this section, unless the prior-conviction provision in paragraph B applies. | 17-A M.R.S. § 554-B(5)(A) |
| Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — with prior conviction | Class C Crime | Applies when the person violates this section and has one or more prior convictions under this section or for substantially similar conduct in another jurisdiction. | 17-A M.R.S. § 554-B(5)(B) |
Common questions about unlawful transfer of handgun to minor in Maine
What class of crime is unlawful transfer of handgun to minor in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful transfer of handgun to minor ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 554-B.
Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — base offense: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 554-B(5)(A)) · Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor — with prior conviction: Class C Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 554-B(5)(B))
What are the penalties for unlawful transfer of handgun to minor in Maine?
Penalties for unlawful transfer of handgun to minor in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class D Crime up to a Class C Crime — with the ranges set by 17-A M.R.S. § 1604; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Maine statute covers unlawful transfer of handgun to minor?
Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 554-B (Unlawful transfer of handgun to minor).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.