Concealed Carry in Maryland

No. Maryland makes it a crime to wear, carry or transport a handgun, whether concealed or open, on or about the person, or in a vehicle on a public road or parking lot, unless the person holds a Maryland permit or fits a listed exception (for example on the person's own property or business, or transporting an unloaded handgun in an enclosed case or holster to or from a purchase, repair shop, residence, or target shooting or hunting). A first offense carries 30 days to 5 years or a $250-$2,500 fine.

Permit to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, issued by the Secretary of State Police. Shall-issue: the Secretary 'shall issue a permit within a reasonable time' to a person who meets the listed qualifications. Applicant must be at least 21 years old (or a member of the uniformed services or National Guard), not be disqualified, and complete a firearms training course approved by the Secretary: at least 16 hours of in-person instruction for an initial application and 8 hours for a renewal, including classroom instruction on state and federal firearm law, de-escalation, anger management and suicide prevention, plus a live-fire qualification. Application fees may not exceed $125 (initial), $75 (renewal) and $20 (duplicate or modified permit). A permit expires on the last day of the holder's birth month following 2 years after issue, and may be renewed for successive 3-year periods.

None. Maryland State Police states that Maryland law does not recognize handgun carry permits issued by any other state and does not authorize the State to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states.

Firearms may not be worn, carried or transported in: preschools and pre-K facilities, private primary and secondary schools, and health care facilities; buildings owned or leased by state or local government (with posted signs), buildings of colleges and universities, polling places and ballot-canvassing sites, and electric, gas and nuclear power plants; locations licensed to sell or dispense alcohol or cannabis for on-site consumption, stadiums, museums, amusement parks, racetracks and video lottery (casino) facilities (up to 1 year and $1,000). Firearms are also banned on public school property, and at or within 1,000 feet of a public demonstration after a police warning. A person may not enter another's dwelling with a firearm without express permission. Maryland's rule barring carry on other private property without a posted sign or the owner's express permission (Crim. Law §6-411(d)) was held unconstitutional and enjoined by the Fourth Circuit on January 20, 2026 (Kipke v. Moore, No. 24-1799); the court upheld the other challenged restrictions, including government buildings, mass transit, schools, state parks, museums, health care facilities, stadiums/racetracks/amusement parks/casinos, alcohol-serving locations, and the 1,000-foot demonstration rule.

Without a carry permit, a handgun may not be carried or knowingly transported in a vehicle on a public road or parking lot, except in listed situations where the handgun is unloaded and in an enclosed case or enclosed holster, such as traveling to or from a purchase or sale, a repair shop, between the person's residences or residence and business, or to or from target shooting, hunting or a firearms safety class. In sensitive places, a firearm in a motor vehicle is exempt from the place ban if it is locked in a container, or if it is a handgun carried by a permit holder.