Maryland

Total prohibition                                                                                         Total freedom

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Traveler's checklist:

        *Firearms ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required

        *Assault weapon 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 castle doctrine

        *Open carry: prohibited in all public areas

        *Concealed carry: license required; granted on a discretionary basis; no reciprocity for

                                                                               non-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

 

            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. 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.  Maryland will issue permits to nonresidents on 
rare occasions.  But the state will not recognize carry permits from other states.

            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.
Travelers passing through the state may transport handguns in the same condition
even if they are not traveling to one of these events as long as the weapons are 

unloaded, cased and stowed in the trunk.  Rifles and shotguns may be transported
in a vehicle for any reason.  But 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.

 

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