Maryland Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

No. A person may not carry weapons other than handguns, even with a WCHP.

No more than 10 rounds. A person may not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, purchase, receive or transfer a detachable magazine that has a capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition for a firearm. Possession is not addressed in the statute.

There is an exemption for .22 caliber rifles with tubular magazines and for law enforcement officers (LEOs) and retired LEOs.

[Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-305]

Yes, except as noted below, stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit. The minimum age to purchase is 18 years old, and a background check is required to verify that the purchaser has not been convicted of specific crimes. 

[[Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-109]

Under Maryland law, it's illegal to carry a dangerous weapon unless you:

• are a public official authorized to carry the weapon;
• have a permit to carry a handgun; or
• ​​​​​​​are carrying the weapon as a reasonable precaution against perceived danger and don’t intend to hurt someone else in an unlawful way.

Although the law does not specifically mention electronic control devices, they could be considered dangerous weapons.

It is illegal to possess Tasers and stun guns in public schools, State public buildings and City public buildings in the City of Baltimore.

[City of Baltimore Police Ordinance § 59-28]

A Maryland Wear/Carry Handgun Permit is required to possess a stun gun or Taser anywhere other than in your own home in Ocean City.

[Ocean City Ordinance Sec. 58-162]

No. Maryland does not allow constitutional carry.

No. As of October 1st, 2023, open carry is no longer permitted. 

Only with a Maryland WCHP. Without a permit, Maryland has restrictions for legal transport of firearms within/through Maryland. Handguns can only be transported between residences, to and from a repair shop, a shooting sporting event or between a residence and place of business if substantially owned and operated by the person. For interstate transportation, firearms must be unloaded and in an enclosed case or enclosed holster with neither the firearm nor any ammunition readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment. In the case the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver's compartment, the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked compartment other than the glove compartment or console.

[Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-203(b)(2)]

An innkeeper may refuse to provide lodging or services to, or may remove from a lodging establishment an individual who the innkeeper reasonably believes possesses property that may be dangerous to other individuals, such as firearms or explosives. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

[Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 15-203(a)6]

No. State Highway Rest Areas are prohibited, unless properly secured within vehicle.

(COMAR 11.04.07.12)

Not while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

[Md. Admin. Code §5–314]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No. Your Maryland driver’s license is not linked to your Maryland wear/carry handgun permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry permit holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. However, LEOs may have access to other databases where they can obtain this information.

No. Not mentioned in state statutes.

Yes, Maryland has a red flag law. A variety of people, including family members, cohabitants, medical professionals and law enforcement are allowed to petition for an order to surrender to law enforcement authorities any firearm and ammunition in the respondent’s possession; and prohibit the respondent from purchasing or possessing any firearm or ammunition for the duration of the interim &/or final extreme risk protection order.

[Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-601(E)(2)]

No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Maryland.

Yes. Seven days.

Yes, for handguns. A valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) is required to purchase, rent or transfer ownership of a regulated firearm. In addition, a person may not purchase more than one regulated firearm in a 30-day period, although there are several exemptions.

No.

No person may manufacture, sell or offer for sale in the state a handgun manufactured after January 1, 1985, that is not included on the handgun roster.

MD Handgun Roster

[Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-406]

90 days

You must notify the Licensing Division of address changes, in writing, within 30 days of any change. You must mail this change to:

Maryland State PoliceLicensing Division1111 Reisterstown RoadPikesville, MD 21208ATTN: Handgun Permit Unit

Initial Permit $75 Starting 10/01/23 it goes up to $125

Renewal  $50 Starting 10/01/23 it goes up to $75

Maryland will grant permits to non-residents. Non-residents use the same process as residents.

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old (an applicant between 18 and 21 years of age may only be issued a wear and carry permit to possess a regulated firearm required for employment);
• Have successfully completed required firearms training, within 2 years, prior to submitting an application or meet a training exemption;
• Not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year has been imposed; or convicted of a criminal offense for which you could have been sentenced to more than 2 years incarceration (or has been pardoned or granted relief under 19 U.S.C. Section 925(c));
• Not have been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance;
• Not be presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance unless under legitimate medical direction;
• If under age 30, have no adjudications of delinquency in a juvenile court for any act that would be a felony or “crime of violence” if committed by an adult or for any misdemeanor carrying a statutory penalty of 2 years or more, and have never been committed to any detention, training or correctional institution for more than 1 year as a juvenile;
• Based on an investigation, not have exhibited a propensity for violence or instability that may reasonably render the person’s possession of a handgun a danger to the person or others;
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Maryland.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? Beginning 10/01/23, locations licensed to sell or dispense alcohol or cannabis for on-site consumption will be prohibited. (Preliminary injunction granted on 9/29 and again on 8/2/24)/
  
• Carry in roadside rest areas? No.
• Carry in WMAs? Yes. Only with a Maryland WCHP. 
• Carry in places of worship? There is no state statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

There is no known statute in Maryland making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.

Yes. A person may not interfere intentionally with the lawful taking of wildlife by another person on private land that is owned by another person or in a hunting area on land managed by the Department.

[Nat. Resources Code § 10-422]

Yes, but only for personal protection while bow hunting in Deer Management Region A. The Department may not prohibit a licensed bow hunter from openly carrying a handgun that the hunter is otherwise authorized to carry under § 4-203 of the Criminal Law Article if the bow hunter is at least 21 years old anddoes not use the handgun to kill wildlife wounded by a vertical bow or crossbow.

[Nat. Resources Code § 10-408(b)(2)]