Maryland Gun Laws (2026): Carry, Permits, and Where Firearms Are Allowed

Maryland remains one of the most highly regulated states in the country for firearm ownership and public carry. After the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, Maryland eliminated the prior requirement that permit applicants show a "good and substantial reason" to carry a handgun.

 

As a result, Maryland now functions as a shall-issue state for concealed carry permits.

In response, the Maryland legislature enacted the Maryland Gun Safety Act of 2023, which created a broad list of locations where firearms may not be carried, even by permit holders.

 

Several provisions of that law have been challenged in federal court, and litigation continues to shape how the law is applied.

 

This guide reflects the general state of Maryland law as of early 2026. Firearm laws change frequently, and court rulings may alter the rules described below.

---

Quick Summary 

 

---

Recent Legal Developments

 

Post-Bruen Carry Permitting

 

Following New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, Maryland removed the requirement that applicants demonstrate a special need for self-defense. The state now issues permits to applicants who meet statutory requirements and complete the required training.

 

Sensitive-Place Restrictions

 

The Maryland Gun Safety Act of 2023 created numerous "sensitive places" where firearms are prohibited even for permit holders. Federal courts have reviewed several of these restrictions, and while many have been upheld, litigation remains ongoing and future rulings may modify the scope of these restrictions.

 

Handgun Qualification License (HQL)

 

Maryland continues to require a Handgun Qualification License to purchase a handgun. The requirement has been challenged in federal court, but it remains in effect as of 2026.

---

Carrying a Handgun in Maryland

 

Concealed Carry

 

Carrying a concealed handgun in public requires a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit issued by the Maryland State Police. Applicants must be at least 21 years old (with limited exceptions), complete state-approved training, pass background and fingerprint checks, and demonstrate firearms proficiency during training. Once issued, the permit allows the holder to carry a handgun subject to Maryland's location restrictions.

 

Open Carry

 

Maryland law does not explicitly prohibit open carry for permit holders. However, open carry is relatively uncommon in practice and may result in law-enforcement encounters or public disturbance complaints depending on the circumstances. Most permit holders in Maryland choose to carry concealed.

 

Carrying Without a Permit

 

Carrying a handgun without a permit is generally prohibited under Maryland Criminal Law §4‑203 and may result in criminal penalties.

 

See Also: WHAT IS CONCEALED CARRY?

---

Maryland Wear and Carry Permit

 

Maryland issues a single permit authorizing both concealed and open carry. Both Maryland residents and non-residents may apply; the application process and requirements are the same.

 

Training Requirements

• Initial permit: 16 hours of state-approved training and live-fire qualification
• Renewal: 8 hours of refresher training

Application Fees

• Initial permit: $125
• Renewal: $75
• Training and fingerprinting costs are typically additional.

See Also: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A CONCEALED CARRY CLASS

---

Handgun Qualification License (HQL)

 

Separate from the carry permit, Maryland generally requires a Handgun Qualification License to purchase, rent, or receive a handgun. However, individuals who already possess a Wear and Carry Permit may apply for an HQL exemption through the Maryland State Police.

---

Places Where Carry Is Prohibited

 

Under Maryland law and the Maryland Gun Safety Act of 2023, firearms are generally prohibited in the following locations even for permit holders: public and private K-12 schools and school grounds; state and local government facilities; locations licensed to sell alcohol for on-site consumption; public transit vehicles and stations; hospitals, nursing homes, and certain medical facilities; professional sports venues and Maryland video lottery facilities; certain state-owned recreational areas and museums; and within a designated distance of organized public demonstrations or protests.

 

Because litigation continues over some of these restrictions, the exact scope of these prohibitions may evolve through future court decisions.

---

Private Property Rules

 

Businesses may prohibit firearms on their property by posting notice or otherwise informing visitors. Carrying a firearm inside a private home generally requires the permission of the property owner.

---

Buying and Owning Firearms

 

Most handgun transfers must be processed through a licensed dealer or through the Maryland State Police, which conducts both federal and state background checks. Maryland imposes a 7-day waiting period for regulated firearm purchases, primarily handguns, and maintains records of handgun transfers conducted through the state system.

 

Maryland law prohibits the sale, transfer, or manufacture within the state of detachable magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Possession of such magazines is generally lawful if they were obtained outside Maryland.

---

Transporting Firearms

 

Under Maryland Criminal Law §4‑203, transporting a handgun without a carry permit is only lawful when traveling between specific authorized locations. It is not sufficient to simply be on a public road with an unloaded, cased handgun — the destination matters.

 

Permitted transport destinations include a residence, a firearms range or shooting facility, a licensed firearms dealer, a gunsmith or repair shop, a place of purchase or sale, and a business owned or operated by the person transporting the handgun.

 

During transport, the handgun must be unloaded and enclosed in a case or holster. Traveling outside these specific purpose-and-destination categories without a permit may constitute a violation of Maryland law even if the firearm is otherwise properly secured. Permit holders are not subject to these destination restrictions.

 

See also: RIGHT TO BEAR CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY MAP 

---

Self-Defense Law

 

Maryland self-defense law is more restrictive than in many neighboring states. Outside the home, Maryland generally follows a duty-to-retreat principle, meaning a person must avoid using deadly force if a safe avenue of retreat is available. Maryland courts recognize a version of the Castle Doctrine, meaning a person typically has no duty to retreat within their own home. Maryland does not have a statutory stand-your-ground law. Even when a shooting is deemed legally justified, Maryland law does not provide automatic immunity from civil lawsuits.

---

Interstate Travel and Reciprocity

 

Maryland does not recognize any out-of-state carry permits. Travelers transporting firearms through the state may rely on federal protections under the Firearm Owners Protection Act, provided the firearm is unloaded, secured in a container, and the traveler is moving between locations where possession is lawful.

---

National Parks and Air Travel

 

Federal law generally allows firearms in national parks if possession complies with the laws of the state in which the park is located, though firearms are typically prohibited inside federal buildings within parks. Firearms transported by air must be unloaded, secured in a locked hard-sided case, and declared to the airline at check-in under TSA rules.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I keep a handgun in my car in Maryland?

 

Only if you have a Wear and Carry Permit. Without a permit, you may only transport a handgun when traveling between specific authorized locations — such as your home, a firearms range, a licensed dealer, a gunsmith, or a business you own. The handgun must be unloaded and enclosed in a case or holster. Simply driving with a properly secured handgun for a purpose not covered by these categories may still violate Maryland law.

 

Does Maryland ban large-capacity magazines?

 

Maryland bans the sale or transfer of magazines holding more than 10 rounds within the state, though possession of magazines acquired elsewhere is generally lawful.

 

Do I have to tell a police officer I am carrying a gun?

 

Maryland does not impose a general duty to inform, but you must present your permit if requested by law enforcement.

 

Are AR-15 rifles legal in Maryland?

 

Maryland bans the sale or transfer of certain listed semi-automatic rifles and "copycat weapons" defined under state law.

 

Can marijuana users possess firearms?

 

Under federal law, individuals who are unlawful users of controlled substances — including marijuana — are prohibited from possessing firearms.