Carrying a Gun in Your Car in Maryland: Vehicle Carry Laws

Carrying Firearms in Vehicles in Maryland

Maryland is a permit-required state for carrying handguns, including while transporting them in a vehicle. Maryland does not have constitutional or permitless carry provisions. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, Maryland removed its "good and substantial reason" requirement for permit issuance, making the Wear and Carry Permit available on a shall-issue basis to all eligible applicants.

Permit Requirement for Vehicle Carry

Under MD Public Safety § 5-303, a person must have a valid Wear and Carry Permit issued by the Maryland State Police before the person carries, wears, or transports a handgun. This requirement applies to carrying a handgun on your person, in your vehicle, or otherwise transporting it.

• The term "transports" is explicitly included in the statute, meaning that even moving a handgun in a vehicle requires a valid permit unless a statutory exemption applies.
• The permit is issued through the Maryland State Police Licensing Division, which maintains an online Licensing Portal for applications.
• Maryland also requires a separate Handgun Qualification License (HQL) to purchase, rent, or receive a regulated firearm (MD Public Safety § 5-117.1). The HQL is distinct from the Wear and Carry Permit — possessing an HQL alone does not authorize carrying or transporting a handgun outside the limited statutory exemptions.

Source: Maryland State Police, A Review of Firearms Law in the State of Maryland — "A person shall have a permit issued under this subtitle before the person carries, wears, or transports a handgun" (PS § 5-303).

Wear and Carry Permit Eligibility

Per MD Public Safety § 5-306, to be eligible for a Wear and Carry Permit, an applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years of age, or be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, the National Guard, or the uniformed services (PS § 5-306(a)(1)(i))
• Not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law
• Not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than one year has been imposed, or convicted of a criminal offense for which the person could have been sentenced to more than 2 years of incarceration
• Not have been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance
• Not presently be an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance, unless the habitual use is under legitimate medical direction
• Not have exhibited a propensity for violence or instability that may reasonably render the person's possession of a handgun a danger to the person or others, based on investigation by the Maryland State Police
• Have successfully completed an MSP-approved firearms training course within 2 years prior to submitting the original or renewal application, unless exempt from the training requirement

Note: Prior to the Bruen decision (June 2022), Maryland also required applicants to demonstrate a "good and substantial reason" to carry. The MSP's own Review of Firearms Law training document still references this language, but the requirement has been removed by operation of law and is no longer part of the eligibility criteria.

Training Requirements

Per the Maryland State Police FAQ and the Wear and Carry Permit page:

• Initial permit: 16 hours of training is required
• Renewal permit: 8 hours of training is required
• Training must be completed at an MSP-approved training course and completed prior to submitting the application
• Approved instructors and training courses can be verified through the Maryland State Police Qualified Handgun Instructor verification system
• Certain individuals are exempt from the training requirement (e.g., active law enforcement, military with qualifying experience) — exemption status should be confirmed with the MSP Licensing Division

Source: MSP FAQ — "16 hours of training is required for the initial issue of a handgun (carry) permit; 8 hours is required for the renewal of a handgun (carry) permit."

Carrying on an Expired Permit (During Renewal)

Per the Maryland State Police FAQ, if a handgun permit expires before the renewed permit card is received, the permit holder may still carry on the expired permit provided the renewal application was received by the Handgun Permit Section at least two (2) weeks prior to the expiration date of the current permit.

• If the application is returned for incompleteness and resubmitted after the two-week deadline, the holder is not permitted to carry on the expired permit.
• Permit holders should plan renewal submissions well in advance of expiration to maintain uninterrupted carry authorization.

Source: MSP FAQ — "As long as the renewal application has been received at the Handgun Permit Section at least two (2) weeks prior to the expiration date of the current handgun permit, you are still allowed to carry on the expired permit until you receive your renewed permit. If the application is returned to you for incompleteness and you resubmit it after the two (2) weeks, you will not be allowed to carry your handgun."

Transporting Without a Permit — Exemptions

Under MD Criminal Law § 4-203, Maryland provides limited exemptions allowing certain persons to transport a handgun without a Wear and Carry Permit. These exemptions generally require the firearm to be unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or enclosed holster. Common exemptions include:

• Transporting a handgun between the person's home and a place of legal purchase or repair
• Transporting to and from a shooting range, sport shooting competition, or organized firearms training
• Transporting between residences (e.g., during a move)
• Transporting to and from a bona fide gun show

Important conditions for exemption transport:

• The handgun must be unloaded
• The handgun must be in an enclosed case or enclosed holster
• Transport must be made via a reasonably direct route — stopping for unrelated errands may jeopardize the exemption
• Permit holders carrying under the Wear and Carry Permit are not subject to these transport restrictions

New Maryland Residents

New residents moving to Maryland must register regulated firearms. The MSP Licensing Division maintains a New Maryland Resident page with registration requirements. During the move itself, the § 4-203 exemption for transporting between residences would apply, subject to the unloaded/enclosed-case requirements.

Firearms and Hunting in Vehicles

Maryland has additional regulations governing firearms in the hunting context that may affect vehicle transport:

• Under Natural Resources Article § 10-410(i), it is illegal to carry a firearm while hunting under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic drug. A conviction carries a potential 3-year suspension of all hunting licenses and privileges (per COMAR 08.03.16.03(C)).
• Under NR § 10-424, carelessly or negligently shooting, wounding, or killing another person while hunting may result in a 5-year suspension of hunting privileges.
• Hunters transporting firearms in vehicles to and from hunting areas should ensure compliance with both the general handgun transport laws (§ 4-203 exemptions or Wear and Carry Permit) and any applicable hunting-specific regulations.

Sensitive Places Restrictions Affecting Vehicle Carry

On January 20, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued its opinion in Kipke v. Moore, addressing Maryland's sensitive-places firearm restrictions. The court upheld carry restrictions in all nine challenged categories of locations:

1. Government buildings
2. Mass transit facilities
3. Schools and school grounds
4. State parks, state forests, and Chesapeake forest lands
5. Museums
6. Healthcare facilities
7. Stadiums, racetracks, amusement parks, and casinos
8. Locations selling alcohol
9. Places within 1,000 feet of a public demonstration

However, pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court, the following three restrictions — despite being upheld by the Fourth Circuit — cannot currently be enforced:

Practical impact for vehicle carry: Permit holders should be aware that carrying a handgun into government buildings, schools, mass transit facilities, hospitals, state parks, museums, or entertainment venues remains prohibited even with a valid permit. The private property restriction (§ 6-411), the alcohol-serving location restriction (§ 4-111), and the demonstration proximity restriction (§ 4-208) are currently unenforceable pending Supreme Court resolution. This legal landscape may change — permit holders should monitor updates via the MSP Licensing Division mailing list for statutory and regulatory changes.

Source: Maryland State Police, Wear and Carry Permit page (mdsp.maryland.gov), updated following the Fourth Circuit's January 20, 2026 opinion.

Conduct During Traffic Stops

Maryland law does not contain an explicit statutory duty for Wear and Carry Permit holders to proactively inform law enforcement that they are carrying a firearm during a traffic stop. However, the Baltimore County Police Department publishes the following recommended procedures for all traffic stops:

1. When signaled by an officer, safely pull over to a place out of traffic flow
2. Sit calmly with your hands visible on the steering wheel; if you have passengers, ask them to sit quietly with their hands visible
3. Avoid sudden movements or ducking in the seat — these actions can unnecessarily alarm the officer
4. At nighttime, turn on your interior lights when you pull over so the officer can visually scan the car's interior
5. Do not exit the vehicle unless the officer asks you to step out; if asked, comply calmly
6. Communicate your actions in advance — tell the officer what you will be doing before you move (you may also ask to see the officer's identification)
7. If requested, tell the officer where your license and registration are located before reaching for them — especially if stored in the glove box or another unusual place

While not legally mandated, voluntarily informing the officer that you hold a Wear and Carry Permit and are currently armed is widely recommended by firearms trainers and law enforcement for safety.

Source: Baltimore County Government, "Resources and Tips for Citizens" — Traffic Stops section (baltimorecountymd.gov).

Unmarked Police Vehicles

Per the Maryland State Police FAQ, if you are signaled to stop by an unmarked vehicle:

• Police vehicles must activate a siren to be considered an emergency vehicle and may or may not display red or blue lights
• Most unmarked MSP vehicles display at least one blue flashing light
• If you feel uncomfortable, acknowledge the vehicle (wave) and slow down, then drive to a well-lit area where other people are present
• Dial #77 on a cell phone to connect with the nearest Maryland State Police barrack — the dispatcher can verify the stop and assist you

Federal Protections for Interstate Transport (FOPA)

Under 18 U.S.C. § 926A (the Firearm Owners Protection Act), a person may transport a firearm through any state, including Maryland, if:

• The firearm is unloaded and not readily accessible (e.g., locked in the trunk or a locked container separate from ammunition)
• The person may lawfully possess the firearm at both the origin and destination

This federal protection applies regardless of Maryland state law. However, Maryland has historically interpreted FOPA narrowly, and travelers relying solely on FOPA protections (without a Maryland permit) should exercise caution — particularly regarding stops, delays, or overnight stays within the state. FOPA is an affirmative defense, not an immunity from arrest.

LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act)

The Maryland State Police Licensing Division processes LEOSA credentials for qualified current and retired law enforcement officers under 18 U.S.C. §§ 926B–926C. LEOSA allows qualified officers to carry concealed firearms nationwide, including in vehicles.

• LEOSA ID Cards issued by the Maryland State Police are renewable online through the MSP Licensing Portal
• LEOSA overrides state-level carry restrictions for qualified officers but does not exempt them from federal prohibitions or certain state sensitive-places laws
• Applications and renewals are handled through the MSP Licensing Division LEOSA page
• Application instructions are available in the LEOSA instructions PDF

Source: Maryland State Police, LEOSA page and Licensing Division page (mdsp.maryland.gov).

Non-Resident Permits

Maryland's Wear and Carry Permit is available to both residents and non-residents. The eligibility criteria under MD Public Safety § 5-306 do not distinguish between resident and non-resident applicants — the same requirements for age, criminal history, training, and background investigation apply.

Non-residents who frequently travel through Maryland with a handgun should obtain a Maryland permit, as the state does not honor carry permits from any other state. Maryland has no reciprocity agreements for concealed carry permits.

Staying Informed

Maryland firearms laws are subject to ongoing legislative and judicial changes. The Maryland State Police Licensing Division maintains a public mailing list that provides periodic updates regarding changes to licenses, permits, statutory and regulatory changes, and system updates. Permit holders are encouraged to subscribe.

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Firearm laws are subject to change through legislation and court decisions. Consult the full Maryland statutes or a qualified attorney for specific legal guidance.