1. Home
2. Maryland
3. Firearm Requirements

Purchasing a firearm in Maryland

Steps to Register a Firearm in Maryland

People who are residents of Maryland or are looking to be a Maryland resident have to register their weapons with the Secretary of the Maryland State Police. The information required in the application is as follows :*

• The make, model, manufacturerÕs serial number, caliber, type, barrel length, and country of origin of each regulated firearm
• The applicantÕs name, address, social security number, place and date of birth, height, weight, race, eye and hair color, signature, driverÕs or photographic identification soundex number, and occupation

The cost of the application is $15. No other firearm registration is required in Maryland

All firearms are to be registered with the Secretary of the Maryland State Police

Requirements to hold a firearm license

A person may purchase, rent, or receive a handgun only if they are not prohibited from purchasing and possessing a handgun along with :-

• Possess a valid handgun qualification license issued by the Secretary of State
• Possesses valid credentials from a law enforcement agency
• Is an active or retired member of the armed forces and possess a valid military ID
• Is purchasing, renting, or receiving an antique, curio, or relic firearm

The Secretary must issue a handgun qualification license to someone if they :*

• Are at least 21 years old
• Are a resident of Maryland
• Is not prohibited by federal or state law from purchasing or possessing a handgun.

Handguns

More information on Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL), as well as what each license type can do, can be found on our FFL home page.
We also have a very helpful FFL search tool if you want to search by postal code, state, business name, or even license number.

Does Maryland Require a Background Check to purchase a Firearm?

No, Maryland does not have a state law that requires a background check prior to the sale of a firearm, but federal law requires all federally licensed firearm dealers to perform a background check before any sale of a firearm.

Prospective purchasers of handguns and assault weapons must complete the stateÕs application form and than it must be than be processed through the Secretary. A seller of a firearm who is not a licensed dealer in such firearms transfers must complete a transaction through a regulated firearms dealer. Also, transfers of regulated firearms by an unlicensed person may also go through a designated law enforcement agency. Along with that, a dealer must contact the FBI for the federally required NICS checks for long gun (rifle and shotgun) transfers

Owning a firearm in Maryland

Does Maryland have a Gun Free Zone law?

Yes, Maryland has a defined list of gun free zones:

Maryland prohibits the possession of a firearm at a demonstration in a public place. There is no exception for handgun permit holders. There are no laws but administrative rules may still apply to the following places :-

• Parks
• Hospitals
• Place of worship
• Bars
• Sports Arena
• Gambling facilities
• Polling stations

Does Maryland Require a Safety Course to own a Firearm?

Yes, you are required to take a safety course prior to owning a firearm in Maryland.

To qualify for a handgun permit, applicants must have successfully completed a firearms training course approved by the Secretary that include :-

• A minimum of 16 hours of instruction by a qualified handgun instructor (first time)
• A 8 hours of instruction by a qualified handgun instructor (renewal)

The course consists of :*

• State firearm law
• home firearm safety
• Handgun mechanisms and operation

Common Firearm Offenses in Maryland

[¤ 2-201] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-2/subtitle-2/section-2-201/) [¤ 2-204] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-2/subtitle-2/section-2-204/) [¤ 2-205] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-2/subtitle-2/section-2-205/) [¤ 2-206] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-2/subtitle-2/section-2-206/) [ ¤ 2-207] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-2/subtitle-2/section-2-207/) [¤ 4-203] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-4/subtitle-2/section-4-203/) [¤ 4-204] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-4/subtitle-2/section-4-204/) [¤ 4-303[ (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-4/subtitle-3/section-4-303/) [¤ 4-305] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-4/subtitle-3/section-4-305/) [¤ 4-503] (https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2021/criminal-law/title-4/subtitle-5/section-4-503/)

More on Maryland Firearm Laws

---