Maryland Gun Laws
Maryland has no constitutional provision granting a “right to bear arms.”
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | Yes |
Registration of Firearms | No | Yes |
Licensing of Owners | No | Yes |
Permit to Carry | No | Yes |
The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | Enacted |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | No Provisions |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | Rights Restricted-Very Limited Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | None |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | No Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Antiques
An antique firearm is defined as a firearm manufactured before 1899, or any replica thereof, which is not designed for firing fixed ammunition or which uses fixed ammunition and is no longer manufactured in the United States or readily available commercially. Antique firearms are exempt from certain requirements of state law. |
Carrying and Transportation in Vehicles
It is unlawful for any person without a permit to wear or carry a handgun, openly or concealed, upon or about his person. It is also unlawful for any person to knowingly transport a handgun in any vehicle traveling on public roads, highways, waterways or airways, or upon roads or parking lots generally used by the public. This does not apply to any person wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun within the confines of real estate owned or leased by him, or on which he resides, or within the confines of a business establishment owned or leased by him. MORE |
Machine Guns
A machine gun is defined as a loaded or unloaded weapon wherein more than one shot may be automatically discharged from a magazine by a single function of the firing device. |
Miscellaneous
It is unlawful to alter or obliterate the manufacturer’s identification mark or number on any firearm. Any person in possession of such a weapon will be presumed to have committed the offense. MORE |
Permit To Carry
Application for a permit to carry a handgun is made to the Secretary of State Police. In addition to the printed application form, the applicant should submit a notarized letter stating the reasons why he is applying for a permit. MORE |
Possession
Subject to some exceptions, possession of "assault weapons" is generally prohibited in Maryland. Additionally, Maryland's prohibited person categories for possession of firearms are more extensive than federal law. MORE |
Preemption
The state generally preempts all aspects of firearm and ammunition regulation. MORE |
Purchase
Maryland does not regulate the sale of rifles or shotguns and no permit is required to purchase a rifle or shotgun that is not an "assault weapon." MORE |
Range Protection
§ 5-403. 1. Sport shooting ranges MORE |
Sources: Md. Code Ann., [Criminal Law] § 4 (2004) et seq.; [Public Safety] § 5 (2004) et seq.; NAT. RES., § 10 (2004) et seq. |
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
On February 10th, the Queen Anne's County Planning Commission is considering imposing one-size-fits-all restrictions on where shooting ranges ...
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Today, January 12th, the Maryland General Assembly begins the 2022 legislative session. Once again, anti-gun lawmakers will seek ...
Thursday, August 19, 2021
On Thursday, a federal judge upheld a Maryland law requiring anyone seeking to obtain a handgun to first ...
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Yesterday, the General Assembly adjourned sine die from its 2021 session. During this session, strong efforts by NRA ...
Friday, April 9, 2021
Back in March, we reported that three bills to severely restrict Maryland’s centuries-old practice of home-building firearms for personal use ...
Thursday, April 8, 2021
On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed Bill 4-21 to place unnecessary restrictions on Maryland’s centuries-old practice ...
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Monday, March 22nd, was the deadline for bills to cross over from their chamber of origin. As such, ...
Friday, February 12, 2021
Yesterday, the Maryland House of Delegates voted to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of House Bill 4 after ...
Monday, February 8, 2021
Today, the House of Delegates will consider overriding Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of House Bill 4. Tomorrow, the ...
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Yesterday, Senate Bill 309 received an assignment to the House Judiciary Committee after the Senate passed it unanimously on January ...