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Maryland Firearm Laws - Complete Guide

Comprehensive analysis of Maryland gun laws, permit requirements, carry regulations, and recent legislative updates for responsible gun owners.

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Maryland Gun Laws at a Glance

Maryland is a permit-only carry state with significant restrictions on where firearms may be carried. Following NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), Maryland removed its former “good and substantial reason” standard and remains shall-issue for Wear and Carry Permits, but open carry of handguns is prohibited—handguns must be concealed. Maryland maintains an assault weapons ban, a 10-round magazine sales/transfer cap (possession generally not prohibited), an HQL (Handgun Qualification License) to purchase handguns, and state preemption of most local firearm regulations (with specific carve-outs). Portions of the 2023 “sensitive places” law are currently enjoined and not enforced.

  • Carry Framework: Permit required for public carry; open carry of handguns prohibited; concealed carry only.
  • Assault Weapons & LCMs: Ban on assault weapons; ban on manufacture/sale/transfer/receipt of magazines over 10 rounds (possession generally lawful).
  • HQL for Handguns: Training, fingerprints, and background check required before purchasing handguns.
  • Shall-Issue Permits: Wear and Carry Permit (WCP) is shall-issue; 16 hours initial training, 8 hours renewal.
  • Red Flag Law (ERPOs): Prevents gun ownership and new purchases by dangerous individuals
  • Duty to Retreat: No stand-your-ground; duty to retreat outside home if safe; castle doctrine/civil immunity at home and business.
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Areas of Restriction

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Federal Prohibited Locations

Schools, Federal buildings

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State-Specific Restrictions

Bars, stadiums, museums, casinos, 1,000-foot demonstration zones

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Private Property Rights

Owners may prohibit firearms, 2023 default private-property ban is enjoined and not enforced

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Intoxication Prohibitions

No carry while under the influence

Concealed Carry

Permit Required (Concealed Only)

Effective Oct. 1, 2023 (as amended/clarified 2024–2025), Maryland issues Wear and Carry Permits to applicants who:

  • Age: Are 21+ (18–20 permitted for certain employment-related carry).
  • Legal Eligibility: Are not prohibited under state/federal law; pass background investigation and fingerprinting.
  • Training: Complete required training (see below).
  • Good Standing: Are not subject to disqualifying orders (e.g., ERPO/protective orders) or specified recent convictions/probation statuses.

 

Permitless Carry Limitations

  • Age Restriction: No general permitless carry; carrying handguns in public without a permit remains unlawful (limited transport exceptions only).
  • Prohibited Locations: All location bans apply to permit holders and non-holders alike.
  • No Reciprocity: Maryland does not honor other states’ permits.
  • Enhanced Penalties: Higher penalties apply for loaded carry violations, school property, or repeat offenses.

Advantages of Licensed Carry

  • Interstate Recognition: Valid in ~33 states (varies; check current reciprocity before travel).
  • Background & Training Proof: Demonstrates training and vetting, useful for other states’ nonresident permits.
  • Vehicle Carry: Allows loaded handgun carry in vehicles, subject to location restrictions.
  • Expedites Purchases: May serve as an alternative for certain NICS scenarios when paired with handgun qualification/purchase application processes.

 

Application Requirements

  • Age: 21+ (18–20 for employment-specific carry).
  • Background Check: State & federal background, fingerprinting, review of disqualifiers.
  • Training Course: 16 hours initial (classroom + live fire), covering safety, MD law, and situational training; 8 hours for renewals.
  • Proficiency Demonstration: Live-fire component and safe-handling evaluation.
  • Fee: $125 initial; $75 renewal; $20 duplicate/modification (plus fingerprinting/training vendor costs).

 

Disqualifying Factors

  • Current ERPO/protective order or other prohibiting court order
  • Specified recent DUI (certain subsections) or on supervised probation for crimes punishable by 1+ year
  • Certain mental health adjudications/long involuntary commitments
  • Prohibited person under state/federal law
  • Specified repeat child-access prevention violations or other statutory disqualifiers

This state has a Red Flag law, which allows authorities to restrict a resident’s ability to own or purchase a gun. These are enforced through Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs). 

Emergency orders are one-sided and only last until a court hearing, when the “red flag” person can present their case, and the judge decides if a final order is necessary. 

ERPOs are registered nationally in the NICS, and prevent any new purchases that require a background check.

  • Effective Date: 2018
  • Petitioners: Law enforcement; family/household; certain clinicians
  • Orders: Emergency up to 7 days (interim/temporary); final up to 12 months (renewable)
  • Firearm Surrender: Required per court order
  • Purchase Denial: Orders entered in NICS

Open Carry

Handgun Open Carry

Prohibited: Maryland requires permit holders to carry concealed; open carry of handguns is not permitted. Brief, inadvertent exposure of a concealed handgun is not penalized when promptly corrected.

Carry Methods

  • Concealment Required: Handgun must be concealed from view or carried within an enclosed case.
  • Permit on Person: Permit must be in possession when carrying.
  • Comply With Limits: Adhere to all sensitive-place restrictions and any permit limitations.
  • Lawful Conduct: No carry while under the influence; comply with lawful orders and trespass notices.

 

Long Gun Open Carry

General Provisions

  • Generally Allowed: No statewide statute broadly prohibiting open carry of rifles/shotguns in public (subject to breach-of-peace and location-specific rules).
  • Vehicle Rule: Loaded long guns in/on vehicles are prohibited; see Transportation Rules.
  • Local Nuances: Some local ordinances or special districts may further restrict display/carry.
  • Sensitive Places: Firearm-free zones apply (e.g., schools, certain government facilities, posted areas).

Federal Requirements Applied in Maryland

Background Check Process

  • Licensed Dealer Sales: NICS/State background check required; for handguns (“regulated firearms”) use purchase approval process tied to handgun qualification.
  • Private Sales: Background checks required for all firearm transfers, including most private long-gun transfers.
  • Out-of-State Purchases: Handgun purchases must be through a Maryland FFL; long guns from out-of-state FFLs permitted if compliant with MD law (assault-weapon restrictions apply).
  • Prohibited Persons: Federal and state disqualifiers enforced; ERPO and certain orders bar possession.

 

Age Requirements

  • Handguns: 21+ to purchase from dealers; HQL required; possession generally 21+.
  • Long Guns: 18+ to purchase/possess unless otherwise restricted.
  • Ammunition: 21+ for handgun ammo from dealers; 18+ for rifle/shotgun ammo.

Maryland-Specific Purchase Laws

Waiting Periods

  • State Waiting Period: 7 days for regulated firearms (handguns and certain “regulated” models).
  • Approval Timing: Transfer occurs on “Not Disapproved” after waiting period; processing may extend transfer timing.
  • Roster: Handgun must be on the Maryland Handgun Roster.

 

Purchase Limitations

  • Purchase Limits: Generally one regulated firearm per 30 days (exceptions for Designated Collector and others).
  • Registration: No broad firearm registration; regulated firearm transfers are recorded via MSP.
  • Permit to Purchase: HQL required for handgun purchases (training/fingerprints/exemptions for certain owners).

Prohibited Locations

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Absolutely Prohibited Locations

  • K–12 Schools & School Property: Criminal prohibition; narrow exceptions (e.g., law enforcement).
  • Courthouses & Correctional Facilities: No firearms for the public.
  • Government Buildings: State/local buildings; typically require posted signage.
  • Public Transit (select systems/vehicles/facilities): Restrictions apply; check current status.
  • State Parks/Forests/Chesapeake Forest Lands: Carry restrictions apply, with limited activity-related exceptions.

 

Government Buildings

  • Executive/Legislative Facilities: Firearms prohibited unless authorized.
  • Higher Education Buildings: Prohibited on buildings/grounds of colleges/universities (with narrow exceptions).
  • Critical Infrastructure: Electric/gas/nuclear facilities prohibited.
  • Courts & Detention: Absolute prohibition for general public.

Business Prohibition Authority

  • Notice-Based: Owners/agents may ban firearms via policy or verbal notice.
  • Signage: No mandated sign format; obey posted signs and staff directives.
  • Trespass Enforcement: Refusal to leave after notice may constitute trespass.
  • Enjoined Default Ban: 2023 law’s default private-property carry ban is enjoined; consent requirement not enforced.

General Storage Requirements

No Universal Safe-Storage Mandate:

Maryland has no blanket statute requiring all firearms to be stored with locks at all times; however, dealers must include locking devices with handguns and certain models must have integrated safety devices.

Child Access Prevention

  • Unsupervised Minor Access: It is unlawful to store/leave a loaded firearm where an unsupervised minor (under 18) could gain access.
  • Reasonable Precautions: Use locked containers or disabling devices to prevent access.
  • Enhanced Penalties: Increased penalties for violations leading to injury/death; repeat violations affect permit eligibility.
  • Best Practices: Store firearms unloaded; secure ammo separately.

Vehicle Storage

General Provisions

  • Handguns Without Permit: Transport only under narrow exceptions; must be unloaded and in an enclosed case/holster.
  • Long Guns: Do not keep long guns loaded in/on vehicles; keep cased/unloaded when transporting.
  • Out of Sight: Use locked containers in the trunk or otherwise inaccessible compartments.
  • No Parking-Lot Protection Law: Employers/owners may restrict firearms on their property.

Transportation Rules

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Licensed/Constitutional Carry Holders

  • With WCP: May carry a loaded, concealed handgun in vehicles, subject to sensitive-place/location bans.
  • Duty of Concealment: Maintain concealment; avoid handling/display during stops absent necessity.
  • Long Guns: Keep long guns unloaded while in vehicles.
  • Documentation: Keep permit and ID on person; follow lawful orders.

 

Unlicensed Individuals

  • Handguns: Transport only between authorized locations (home, place of business owned/operated by you, range, gunsmithing, purchase/sale, hunting/training) unloaded and in an enclosed case/holster.
  • Long Guns: Transport unloaded; avoid loaded long guns in vehicles; follow hunting/season rules.
  • Direct Travel: Go directly to/from the lawful destination; avoid unnecessary deviations.
  • Ammunition: Store separately from the firearm when practicable.

Federal Safe Passage (FOPA)

  • Lawful Origin and Destination: Legal possession at both locations
  • Unloaded and Secured: Ammunition separated from firearm
  • Inaccessible Storage: Locked container or vehicle trunk
  • Continuous Journey: Minimal stops for necessities only

Self-Defense Laws

Castle Doctrine

Home Protection

  • No Duty to Retreat at Home: May use reasonable force, including deadly force, to stop a forcible felony/home invasion.
  • Reasonableness Standard: Force must be proportionate to the threat.
  • Defense of Others: Applies to protecting household members.
  • Civil Immunity: Statutory civil immunity for defense of dwelling under defined circumstances.

 

Vehicle and Workplace

  • Place of Business: Civil immunity extends to defense of a place of business (subject to reasonableness).
  • Vehicles: No stand-your-ground rule in vehicles; general self-defense principles apply.
  • No Deadly Force for Property Alone: Deadly force not justified solely to protect property.
  • Report/Cooperate: Expect investigation; seek counsel after defensive incidents.

Duty to Retreat (No Stand Your Ground)

Public Places

  • Retreat If Safe: Outside the home, a defender generally must retreat before using deadly force if a safe avenue exists.
  • Imminent Threat: No duty to retreat when retreat is unsafe or during certain forcible felonies.
  • Proportionality: Use only force reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

 

Legal Protections

  • Criminal & Civil: Justified self-defense defeats criminal liability and may provide civil defenses.
  • Immunity Statute: Civil immunity for defense of home/place of business (does not guarantee criminal immunity).
  • Burden & Evidence: Expect scrutiny of reasonableness, retreat options, and imminence.
  • Counsel Advised: Retain counsel promptly after any use-of-force event.

Knife and Blade Laws

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Maximum Legal Blade Length

  • State Maximum: No statewide blade-length maximum.
  • Local Preemption: No statewide knife preemption; several localities impose their own restrictions—check local ordinances (e.g., Baltimore City, Ocean City).

 

Categories of Knives

Maryland law distinguishes “penknives without a switchblade” (ordinary folding knives), which may be carried openly or concealed, from other dangerous weapons (dirk, bowie, switchblade, star/throwing knives, etc.) that face restrictions, particularly on concealed carry or carry with unlawful intent.

 

Prohibited and Federally Regulated Knives

  • Switchblades: Sale/offer to sell/barter is prohibited statewide; mere possession not criminalized by state statute.
  • Ballistic Knives: Sale/offer to sell is prohibited (“shooting knives”).
  • Federal Interstate Ban: Both switchblades and ballistic knives remain subject to federal commerce restrictions 

 

State-Specific Legal Knives

  • Gravity Knives: Treated as dangerous weapons if concealed or carried with unlawful intent; no explicit statewide ban.
  • Butterfly/Balisong Knives: Often treated like other folding knives unless automatic; local rules may vary; concealment with unlawful intent is prohibited.
  • Assisted-Opening Knives: Generally treated as ordinary folding knives (if not automatic).
  • Concealed/Disguised Knives: Concealed carry of dangerous weapons (other than a penknife) is prohibited; disguised knives may be deemed dangerous weapons.

 

Generally Legal Knives

  • Pocket/Folding Knives: “Penknives without a switchblade” are generally lawful to carry, including concealed.
  • Fixed/Utility Knives: Carry is lawful openly without unlawful intent; concealed carry may be treated as carrying a dangerous weapon.

Carry Restrictions

  • Concealed Carry: Concealed carry of dangerous weapons (other than penknives) is prohibited; concealed penknives are allowed.
  • Open Carry: Open carry of knives is generally lawful absent unlawful intent; avoid restricted locations and local bans.
  • Restricted Locations: Schools, certain government buildings, and posted areas prohibit knives regardless of type.

 

Local Ordinance Preemption

  • Preemption Status: No state preemption for knives; verify local codes for blade-length limits or specific bans.

 

Significant Differences from Gun Laws

  • Transport/Storage: Fewer statewide transport rules for knives; however, school and building prohibitions mirror firearms in practice.
  • Self-Defense: Same general self-defense standards apply; knives treated as deadly weapons in force analyses.
  • Age Restrictions: No uniform statewide age rule for knives; local ordinances may impose curfews/restrictions for minors carrying “dangerous weapons.”

Recent Updates

New Laws