So it looks like carrying in the car is ok provided the gun is visible and unloaded
Correct.
... or locked in a case in the trunk.
It does not have to be in the trunk. If it is locked, then on the seat right next to you is acceptable. Once in a case, then it is concealed. If it is concealed, then it needs to be not accessible. That is the key to putting it in a case. In ME it is a little bit the opposite of MA. It does not have to be cased. But if you case it, then it needs to be not accessible which means the case needs to be not "about the person's person" which is understood to be with in easy reach. So, cased and in the back seat is fine. Cased and locked next to you is fine. Uncased and next to you is fine. If you have a CCW, then concealed and loaded in a case in fine.
The written law is as stated above. While "wear under the person's cloths" is pretty clear. The gray areas are not to my knowledge defined by case law. In fact, I do not believe there is much case law defining "about the person's person". So, in my opinion, a gun unloaded and in the bottom of you back pack which is zippered shut is legal as well. The key is it cannot be "
about the person's person" and
concealed. If you want to play it safe, then avoid the grey areas and either have it open or locked or in the trunk.
I know "concealed is concealed", but what about OC in Maine as a Mass resident? Do I OC?
There is no law restricting OC in ME. There is nothing written. Since there is nothing written then it is not illegal. Since there is nothing written, there is no distinction between ME residents and non residents. Since there is nothing written, there is no distinction about how it is openly carried. (which is why it is legal on the seat next to you unconcealed). I think the hard part for MA residents to grasp up here in ME is that there is a lack of written law concerning guns. While there is no law concerning OC in ME, there is a law that states a person may not "display in a threatening manner" a firearm. What manner it is acceptable to openly carry a firearm is about how it is displayed. In a holster on your belt is not threatening. And as stated above, I am not aware of a plethora of case law defining the grey areas of what is threatening other than the obvious like walking down the street waving a gun around.
I have a retention holster, so I'm not worried in that respect, and if I'm legal to OC I don't really give a crap if a sheep bleats and I get questioned by a cop. If I'm legal, I'm legal. I'll have the chat, and be on my way. Yeah, I won't LIKE it, but I'd rather have the chat than get accidentally outed CC'ing and then arrested.
Basically, I'm going camping in Saco, and spending time at Old Orchard Beach, and want to know how to carry legally. At the campground I'll OC and not worry, just wondering how to handle it ag the beach...
Is the camp ground private property? If so, the owner of the property may not allow you to open carry or even have guns. The Maine Mall has written on their sign going into the mall a rule that states no guns allowed. This rule is
NOT enforced by law. But if they see you OC and ask you to leave and you do not, you can be arrested for trespassing. It will not be a violation of any gun law but rather one of the trespassing law.
By the way, the satements I have made are an expression of opinion only. I am not a lawyer and my advice is worth what you paid for it. I have referenced the law and provided links. It is up to each individual to read the law and understand what it means. What I have expressed is my personal understanding of the law.