Source: Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division (mdsp.maryland.gov)
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Source: Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division (mdsp.maryland.gov)
Q: Does the law require training for Concealed Carry Handgun permit holders?
A: Yes. 16 hours of training is required for the initial issue of a handgun (carry) permit. 8 hours of training is required for the renewal of a handgun (carry) permit.
Q: Who is exempt from the training requirement?
A: A list of exemptions from the Wear and Carry permit training requirement is available on the Maryland State Police Licensing Division website.
Q: Who is exempt from the HQL training requirement?
A: Exemptions from the HQL training requirement apply to:
A full list of exemptions is available on the Maryland State Police Licensing Division website.
Q: Can a handgun instructor that is not on the approved list qualify me?
A: No. The handgun instructor must be registered with the Maryland State Police online registration.
Q: How can I find an approved certified handgun instructor?
A: A list of Qualified Handgun Instructors is available online through the Maryland State Police verification portal.
Q: I have a permit/CCW from my state. Is this valid in Maryland?
A: No. Maryland does not recognize permits/CCWs from any other state.
Q: Can the application be handwritten?
A: No. The application must be completed and submitted online through the Licensing Division Portal.
Wear and Carry card "Replacement" requests are submitted through your online portal account. If you do not have an existing portal account, you will need to create one to submit this request. You must attach a notarized letter explaining the circumstances of the loss/theft. There is a $10 fee, paid via credit card upon submission. If you are a security guard, private detective, armored car driver, or special police officer, you must attach an updated company sponsorship to your request.
Q: Can an out-of-state LiveScan provider fingerprint me?
A: No. Out-of-state providers are not approved by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Q: Can a LiveScan provider that is not on the approved list fingerprint me?
A: No. They must be approved by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Q: How can I legally transport handguns within/through Maryland?
A: Handguns must be:
You can only transport a handgun between:
Refer to Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Title 4, Section 203 for detailed requirements on wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun.
Q: Can I legally transport firearms interstate?
A: Yes, under Title 18, Section 926A of the United States Code, a person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where they may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other such place, provided that during transport:
Q: Can I legally transport my regulated firearm to the range?
A: Yes, however Maryland and federal laws require specific conditions be met. The basic requirement is the handgun must be unloaded and in an enclosed case or enclosed holster with the ammunition separate from the handgun, AND you must be transporting the handgun to or from the locations listed in the statute. See Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Title 4, Section 203 and 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 178.
Q: Is it lawful for a medical cannabis patient or a personal user of cannabis to own or possess a firearm?
A: No. Federal law bars medical cannabis patients and personal cannabis users from purchasing or possessing firearms. The Federal Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), prohibits any person who is an "unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance" from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing firearms or ammunition. Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, and there are no exceptions for marijuana used for medicinal purposes, even if sanctioned by state law.
The Maryland State Police query individuals who seek to purchase a firearm about their status as a medical cannabis patient or personal user of cannabis and bar those who disclose such status from making the transaction. Providing false information by failing to disclose cannabis patient/user status when purchasing a firearm is a violation of federal statute, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Q: Is there a law for storing firearms in the home?
A: Yes. Under Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Article 4, Section 104, it is unlawful for any person to store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor has access to the firearm. For safety purposes, the stored firearm should be unloaded and the use of an appropriate lock or locked container is recommended.
Q: What is a habitual user?
A: A habitual user is a person who has been found guilty of two controlled dangerous substance crimes, one of which occurred in the past 5 years.
Q: What is a habitual drunkard?
A: A habitual drunkard is a person who has been found guilty of any three crimes under § 21-902(a), (b), or (c) of the Transportation Article, one of which occurred in the past year.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| Maryland Criminal Law, Title 4, Section 104 | Firearm storage around minors |
| Maryland Criminal Law, Title 4, Section 203 | Wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun |
| Maryland Criminal Law, Title 4, Subtitle 3 | Assault weapons / copycat weapons |
| Maryland Public Safety Article, Title 5, Subtitle 1 | Regulated firearms |
| Maryland Public Safety Article, 5-102(6) | Dealer exemptions |
| Maryland Public Safety Article, 5-146(a) | Lost/stolen firearm reporting notification |
| COMAR 29.03.01.21 | Transfer of regulated firearms at gun shows |
| 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) | Federal prohibition on firearm possession by drug users |
| 18 U.S.C. § 926A | Interstate transport of firearms |
| 21 U.S.C. § 802 | Controlled Substances Act definitions |
This page covers one part of our Maryland concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Maryland guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.