Our hours are by appointment only.

We maintain a limited in-store inventory, though our business is primarily built around facilitating customer transfers and processing online orders. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify that a firearm is legally eligible for transfer or possession in the state of Maine prior to placing an order. We hold all necessary licensing to handle firearms and NFA items.

Rifles and shotguns: 18 years old
Handguns: 21 years old
NFA items: 21 years old

Yes, we facilitate private party transfers in accordance with all federal and state laws. Both buyer and seller must be present with a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID to complete the transfer process at our location. Please reach out for more details.

A seller may not knowingly deliver a firearm to a buyer within 72 hours of the agreement. The time period begins when the buyer and seller have entered into an agreement to purchase and sell a specifically identified firearm.

For transfer-only transactions, it is critical that we are notified as soon as you complete your purchase so we can start the 72-hour timer. We will ask that you email us a copy of your invoice showing the purchase as proof of the agreement timing. Items bought directly from us will already be logged in our system and calculated accordingly.

Yes. Please bring a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID showing your current physical address (no PO boxes). If your government-issued ID does not display your current physical address, you must bring a second government-issued document (such as a tax bill, vehicle registration, or voter registration card) that shows your name and current address.

The person on the order paperwork must match the person who arrives to pick up the firearm. All ATF paperwork and NICS checks must be completed for the person who placed the firearm order.

No, providing your Social Security number is optional. Including it can help speed up the background check, particularly if you share a name with someone else. All paperwork is stored securely after your NICS check is complete.

A common point of confusion is the timing of the background check. The background check (NICS) is initiated when you come to pick up your firearm, after filling out the necessary paperwork — it is not done prior to the firearm arriving at our location.

Also, ensure the name on your online order matches the name on your government-issued ID exactly to avoid delays.

Once your firearm arrives and your paperwork is complete, most NICS checks are approved instantly — typically about 20 minutes start to finish. Occasionally a check is delayed; if that happens, we appreciate your patience and will notify you as soon as we’re able to move forward with the transfer.

We prefer cash because credit/debit card fees will eventually force us to increase pricing. Credit/debit cards can be used for a fee if needed.

We will do everything we can to return the firearm to the online dealer from whom it was purchased, but any charges incurred from the online dealer will be the buyer’s responsibility. The transfer fee will be charged for the first item but will be waived for the replacement, if ordered.

If Cedar Lane Firearms placed a direct order through one of our distributors, we will handle all returns and exchanges at no charge.

For transfer-only transactions, resolving any issue with the firearm, order, or seller is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Cedar Lane Firearms is not able to assist with returns, exchanges, or disputes on transfer-only items, and the transfer fee is non-refundable and due upon delivery to our storefront.

If your NICS background check results in a denial, we are legally required to halt the transfer and cannot release the firearm to you. The firearm will be returned to the online dealer or distributor it came from — if it was a direct order through one of our distributors, we handle the return at no charge; if it was purchased through an online dealer, any charges incurred from that dealer will be the buyer’s responsibility. Either way, the transfer fee still applies, since it covers the work already completed on your paperwork and background check submission.

For transfer-only transactions, resolving a NICS denial with the seller or distributor is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Cedar Lane Firearms is not able to assist with returns or disputes in this case, and the transfer fee is non-refundable and due upon delivery to our storefront.

If you believe your NICS denial was made in error, appealing it is the buyer’s responsibility — you’ll need to contact the FBI NICS Appeal process or Maine’s designated point of contact directly. We’re glad to answer questions, but we aren’t able to file or manage an appeal on your behalf.