Maryland Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Maryland is a now a shall-issue state.

You must be at least 21 years old (or 18 years old for employment purposes only) to get a concealed carry permit in Maryland.

No. Maryland does not allow constitutional carry.

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]

PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes. Maryland law classifies pepper spray as a "dangerous weapon," but it is permitted for use. Restrictions include:

• Individuals must be 18 or older to purchase or carry.
  
• Misuse can result in criminal charges.
• Open carry of pepper spray may be illegal if law enforcement deems intent malicious.

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".

Not addressed in Maryland state law, although employers may have a policy.

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)​

No for state/national parks and state/national forests.

Yes, with a Maryland WCHP for WMAs.

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.

[Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-209]

Yes. Maryland grants permits to non-residents.

No. Maryland does not permit the public access to concealed carry registry information.

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.​

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.

[Md. Code. Ann. Crim. Law § 3-202]

21 years old.

[Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-133 (d)(1)]

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.

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.

[Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-124]

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.

[Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-203(b)(6)]

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.

1. Within 3 years prior to obtaining a HQL, an applicant must complete a Firearms Safety Training Course taught by a state-approved Qualified Handgun Instructor. A USCCA Certified Instructor-led course can meet the qualifications for a Maryland Firearms Safety Training Course if the instructor is also licensed through the state. You can also search for an instructor near you. This training course may be waived if you are a veteran of the U.S. military, a qualified handgun instructor, a lawful owner of a regulated firearm or if you have completed a Maryland DNR Hunter’s Safety Course.
2. Fingerprinting is also required before you can submit your HQL application unless you already possess a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit. Complete your online HQL application and pay the necessary fees. Upon approval, the state of Maryland will mail your HQL to you within 30 days. A HQL is valid for 10 years.
3. Complete the Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R) Form using the Maryland State Police Licensing Portal. Physical applications are not accepted. A valid email address is necessary to complete the form. After submitting your application you will get an email with an application number and a PIN number.
4. Bring both the application number and PIN number to a Maryland State Police Barracks or a Maryland Regulated Firearm Dealer to finish the application process. The State Police/Dealer will complete the application and submit it to the state Licensing Division.
5. After submitting your application, you must wait 7 days, after which you will get an email notifying you if you have been approved. Upon approval, you can purchase or transfer ownership of a firearm through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL)..

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.

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.

You must submit a notarized letter advising the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the permit. Submit a $10 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.​

Online licensing portal

• Public schools [Criminal Law § 4-102];
• Child care centers, except for small centers located in residences [CMR 13a.16.10.04];
• Hospitals;
• State parks [CMR 8.07.06.04];
• State and national forests [CMR 8.07.01.04];
• Chesapeake Forest Lands [CMR 8.01.07.14​];
• State Highway rest areas (display and discharge prohibited) [CMR 11.04.07.12​];
• Commercial aircraft [CMR § 5-1008];
• Lodging establishments where the innkeeper has notified an individual, either orally or in writing, that the establishment refuses to provide further lodging [CMR § 15-203]​;
• Dredge boats [CMR §4–1013​​];
• Community Adult Rehabilitation Centers [CMR 12.02.03.10​​​​];
• In or around State-owned public buildings and grounds [CMR 04.05.01.03​​];
• Any building where the Senate or the House has a chamber [CMR §2–1702];
• Any building or grounds where a member, officer or employee of the General Assembly has an official office or any Joint Hearing Room [CMR 04.05.01.01​​​]​;
• Demonstration at a public place or in a vehicle within 1,000 feet of a demonstration;If prohibited by a local municipality, within 100 yards of or in a park, church, school, public building and other place of public assembly [CMR §4–208​];
• Any place while under the influence of alcohol or drugs [CMR §5–314​]​; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

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.

[Crim. Law §§ 4-101, 4-102(b)]

Yes.

[Nat. Resources Code § 10-408 (d)]