Maryland
Total prohibition Total freedom
0 ------ 10 ------ 20 ------ 30 ------ 40 ------ 50 ------ 60 ------ 70 ------ 80 ------ 90 ------ 100
^
Traveler's checklist:
*Standard firearms ownership:
unrestricted, no permit or license required*Semi-auto gun ownership: restricted, assault pistol ownership prohibited
*Machine Gun Ownership:
state registration; otherwise compliance with federal law*Firearm law uniformity:
preemption law, firearm laws uniform throughout state*Right of Self-Defense: no NRA-model castle doctrine, duty to retreat in public areas
*Open carry:
prohibited in all public areas *Concealed carry: license required; granted on a discretionary basis; no reciprocity fornon-residents with carry permits from other states
*Vehicle
carry and transportation: loaded,
readily accessible handguns may not be
carried within a vehicle without a
Maryland permit, certain
exceptions exist; rifles and shotguns must remain
unloaded
*State Parks: possession and carry of firearms prohibited except at designated ranges
*Restaurants serving alcohol: permittees may carry while eating in dining areas - see p.3
*Duty to notify LEO of permit status: upon demand of police officer
*Vehicle gun possession at colleges: subject to college administrative policy
Travelers to Maryland will experience a multitude of
restrictions on the
ownership and possession of handguns. Maryland requires that all handguns
be
pre-approved by a governmental board before being sold in the state.
Some
handguns, such as assault pistols, are banned from possession entirely.
And the
sale, transfer or receipt of any over 20 shot firearm magazine is prohibited. The
open or concealed carry of handguns is similarly regulated so that it is almost
impossible for an unlicensed individual to carry a handgun legally.
Maryland permittees: The state requires a license to carry a loaded
handgun on one's person or in a
vehicle. The state police issue such permits
on
a highly discretionary
basis to persons demonstrating a compelling need for a 2-
year term. Maryland will issue permits to
nonresidents on rare occasions. But
the state will not recognize carry permits from other states.
Persons without Maryland permits: A traveler without a
Maryland permit may not carry a handgun on
foot or in a vehicle in a loaded or
readily accessible manner. But he may
transport an
unloaded handgun in a secure
case if he is traveling
to a recognized shooting competition, bonafide gun show,
hunting exercise, or
some other gun-related event. Magazines may remain loaded
while in a vehicle as long they are not attached to, or inserted into, any
handgun.
Travelers passing through the state may transport inaccessible handguns even if
they
are not traveling to one of these
events as long as the weapons are unloaded, cased
and, either stowed in the trunk, or locked in a case if the vehicle has no
trunk.
All Persons: Rifles and shotguns may be
transported in a vehicle for any reason.
But, due to Maryland's conservation/hunting laws, the
weapons must be unloaded and
secured in commercial cases or gun racks regardless
of whether one has a permit.
Maryland's preemption statute provides uniformity for most gun
laws
throughout the state. But localities may still regulate the discharge of
firearms
within their limits and the carry of firearms within 100 yards of
schools, parks,
churches, public buildings, and places of public assembly. A recently
enacted self-
defense law provides homeowners with civil immunity from damages sustained by
unlawful intruders against whom the homeowner employs deadly force.