concealed carry in maryland

Home Concealed Carry in Maryland (MD) – Overview

Concealed Carry in Maryland (MD) – Overview

Summary

Permit required: Yes, Maryland requires a Wear and Carry Permit to carry a concealed handgun.
Minimum age: Generally21+ for a standard Wear and Carry Permit.
Duty to inform:No general legal duty to proactively inform law enforcement you’re carrying, though you must present your permit if asked.
Where you can/can’t carry: Allowed in many public placesunless specifically prohibited; bans include schools, many government buildings, certain demonstrations, and various state lands.

Maryland issues handgun Wear and Carry Permitsstatewide through the Maryland State Police (MSP) Licensing Division, not through counties or sheriffs. Applications are submitted online via the MSP Licensing Portal, with fingerprinting, training, and background checks required.

Since the 2022Bruen decision, Maryland operates as ashall-issue state for qualifying applicants meaning if you meet statutory requirements (training, background check, eligibility), MSP must issue the permit.

Maryland does not honor any other state’s concealed carry permits, so visitors cannot legally carry concealed without a Maryland permit (with limited federal/LEOSA exceptions). Transporting a handgun without a permit is tightly limited to specific lawful purposes (e.g., to/from range, purchase, repair) and must be unloaded and secured. When traveling with firearms use secure storage (locked case, inaccessible to passengers) and consider a Faraday-protected SLNT bag for discreet, tamper-resistant transport of your phone/keys alongside your secured firearm to reduce theft/tracking risks.