Maryland is now a shall-issue state since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the NYSRPA v Bruen case on June 23rd, 2022. Concealed weapons permits are issued at the state level by the Secretary of the Maryland State Police (Secretary).
A permit to purchase, a background check and firearms registration are required to buy a handgun from a private individual. Private firearms sellers must process transfers of handguns and assault weapons through a licensed dealer or designated law enforcement agency, who then conducts a background check. In addition, Maryland has established a handgun roster that, subject to limited exceptions, lists the only handguns that dealers or any private sellers are allowed to sell in the state.
Concealed carry is legal in Maryland only for Maryland Wear/Carry Handgun Permit (WCHP) holders. Open carry is prohibited as of October 1, 2023. In order to obtain a WCHP, applicants must be at least 21 years old (or 18 years old for employment purposes only).
For each category, additional documents are required.
WCHPs require a state-approved 16-hour firearms training course that includes live-fire training. An additional eight hours of training is required at each WCHP renewal. Permits are issued to residents and non-residents. Some areas are off-limits, including rest areas and state parks. In terms of reciprocity, Maryland does not honor permits from any other states.
Where can I carry with my Maryland permit?
Yes
Yes, Constitutional Carry
Yes, Other Restrictions
No
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Important Firearm Laws
carry while using alcohol or drugs?
Not while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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.
preemption?
Yes. There is full state preemption of all gun laws. However, municipalities may regulate firearms and ammunition in, or within 100 yards of, a park, church, school, public building and other place of public assembly.
driver's license linked to carry permit?
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.
non-resident permitting?
Yes. Maryland grants permits to non-residents.
"no weapons allowed" signs enforced?
No. Not mentioned in state statutes.
public access to concealed carry registry?
No. Maryland does not permit the public access to concealed carry registry information.
red flag law?
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.
"assault weapons" ban?
Yes. Maryland prohibits the possession, sale, offering of sale, transfer, purchase, receipt, or transportation into the state of an "assault weapon", which includes "assault pistols" and "assault long guns".
You can find a list of weapons and more information here.
duty to inform officer you're carrying?
No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Maryland.
brandishing?
No definition of brandishing was found in Maryland law.However, a person may not intentionally cause or attempt to cause serious physical injury to another.
A person may not commit an assault with a firearm, including a handgun, antique firearm, rifle, shotgun, short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle.
Carry Basics
weapons other than handguns allowed?
No. A person may not carry weapons other than handguns, even with a WCHP.
gun permit licensure?
Maryland is a now a shall-issue state.
magazine limits for handguns?
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.
minimum age for concealed carry?
You must be at least 21 years old (or 18 years old for employment purposes only) to get a concealed carry permit in Maryland.
ammunition restrictions?
No. Maryland does not have ammunition restrictions.
constitutional carry?
No. Maryland does not allow constitutional carry.
open carry permitted?
No. As of October 1st, 2023, open carry is no longer permitted.
non-lethal weapons?
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:
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]
PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes. Maryland law classifies pepper spray as a "dangerous weapon," but it is permitted for use. Restrictions include:
TEAR GAS - Legal for self-defense and restricted the same as pepper spray.
BEAR SPRAY - No specific restrictions mentioned, but misuse against humans could lead to legal consequences.
BLUDGEONS AND BATONS - Expandable batons are legal to own but illegal to carry concealed under Maryland's "dangerous weapon" laws (CR 4-101). Open carry may be permitted unless intent to harm is suspected.
Items like billy clubs, nunchucks, and throwing stars are strictly prohibited for public carry. Possession of Nunchucks or throwing starts can result in up to 3 years imprisonment.
BRASS KNUCKLES - Illegal to possess, manufacture, sell, or carry concealed without a concealed carry permit. Maryland classifies brass knuckles as "dangerous weapons".
byrna's?
Yes, they are legal for purchase and possession. Byrna guns are not classified as firearms under Maryland law.
Handgun Purchase & Possession
waiting period?
Yes. Seven days.
minimum age to possess and transport?
21 years old.
purchase permits?
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.
handgun registration?
Yes, for handguns. New Maryland residents must register all regulated firearms with the Secretary of the Maryland Department of State Police within 90 days after establishing residency.
maryland permit exempts from background check?
No.
background checks for private gun sales?
Yes. Private firearms sellers must process transfers of handguns through a licensed dealer or designated law enforcement agency, who are required to conduct a background check. In addition, no regulated firearm transfers may be made to any person whom the private seller knows or has a reasonable cause to believe is a prohibited purchaser under state law. Private sellers of regulated firearms must also forward completed transaction information to the secretary of state's office within seven days after a regulated firearm transfer.
approved handgun roster?
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.
possess a handgun on my private property without a permit?
Yes. Anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm may possess a firearm on real estate that the person owns or leases, where the person resides, or within the confines of a business establishment that the person owns or leases.
handgun purchase process
To purchase, rent or transfer ownership of a regulated firearm in Maryland, which includes handguns, you must possess a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL). You must apply for this license online through the Maryland State Police web portal. Physical applications are not accepted.
Top Gun Laws & Concealed Carry Permit Information For Maryland Residents
Concealed Carry Basics Faq
wear a covid mask & carry?
There is no known statute in Maryland making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed.
what are the knife laws in maryland?
There are no limitations on the types of knives you can own in Maryland. You cannot concealed carry a throwing star, dirk, switchblade, gravity knife or Bowie knife. Although there is no law against open carry of throwing stars, dirks, switchblades, gravity knives or Bowie knives, it is illegal to carry them "with the intent to harm someone." All knives are banned from Maryland schools. Maryland municipalities may have additional restrictions.
hunter harassment law?
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.
carry while gun hunting?
carry while bow hunting?
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.
Processing Time:
90 days
Valid For:
Initial permits expire on the last day of the holder’s birth month following 2 years after the date the permit is issued and may be renewed for successive periods of 3 years each.
Name/Address Changes:
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
Residency Changes:
Moving to Maryland and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?Maryland issues resident and non-resident permits, so you can apply for your permit at any time.
Moving from Maryland and have a Maryland resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Maryland permit remains valid?If a person with a Maryland wear/carry handgun permit establishes residency in another state, the permit is valid until it expires provided you submit the above referenced Name/Address change form.
Fees:
Initial Permit $75 Starting 10/01/23 it goes up to $125
Renewal $50 Starting 10/01/23 it goes up to $75
Lost/Stolen Permits:
You must submit a notarized letter advising the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the permit. Submit a $20 check or money order and one passport-sized photograph taken within the last 30 days. If you are a security guard, private detective, armored car guard or special police officer, also provide a company letter from your current employer verifying your employment.
Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits:
Maryland will grant permits to non-residents. Non-residents use the same process as residents.
Application:
Requirements:
An applicant must:
*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.
Step 1:
Complete a state-approved firearm training course within 2 years of application or meet a training exemption.
Step 2:
Get fingerprints taken at an Electronic Fingerprint Processing Center authorized by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Step 3:
Complete your application using the online licensing portal. As of October 1, 2019, paper applications will be rejected and returned to the applicant with instructions to submit the Wear and Carry Permit application via the licensing portal. You will need the following:
Pay the fee.
Step 4:
You will receive application status updates via email as your application progresses and will be notified within 90 days of submittal of a complete application whether your application has been approved or denied.
store in a vehicle in an employee parking lot?
Not addressed in Maryland state law, although employers may have a policy.
carry/possess at a hotel?
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.
carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas (wmas)?
No for state/national parks and state/national forests.
Yes, with a Maryland WCHP for WMAs.
carry in vehicle?
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.
carry at roadside rest areas?
No. State Highway Rest Areas are prohibited, unless properly secured within vehicle.
carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol?
The Fourth Circuit has issued a stay of its opinion while the Plaintiffs seek review in the United States Supreme Court. So as of 2026, the new law cannot be enforced.
Beginning 10/01/23, locations licensed to sell or dispense alcohol or cannabis for on-site consumption will be prohibited.(A preliminary injunction was issued on 9/29/2023)
That injunction has now been lifted by a U.S. Court of Appeals (Fourth Circuit) ruling in early 2026. The appeals court upheld most of Maryland’s law, including the bans on carrying guns in locations that sell or serve alcohol, along with other “sensitive places” such as schools, healthcare facilities, government buildings, parks, stadiums, museums, etc. However, a stay was issued for this "sensitive location" meaning that is cannot be enforced currently.
Self-Defense
Although Maryland doesn’t have a specific statute, it follows common law principles making it a Castle Doctrine state. There is a duty to retreat, requiring people who are outside of their homes to retreat or avoid danger if possible before using deadly force to defend themselves. Deadly force is only legal when defending one’s self from the immediate threat of serious injury or death. A person:
In addition, according to Maryland Code, a person is not liable for damages for a personal injury or death of an individual who enters the person’s dwelling or place of business if:
[Md. Code Ann., Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-808]
Maryland Gun Law Updates
DateDetails
2026-03-19
Added disclaimer regarding the carry in bars sections.
2025-04-07
Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basic section?
2023-10-01
Updated to reflect new restrictions in effect on 10/1/23
2021-05-18
Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table
2020-11-13
Added information on potential training exemptions in the Training Section
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