Is a West Virginia Non-Resident Permit Valid in Maryland?

Why

• Maryland does not recognize any out-of-state carry permit.

MSP FAQ: 'Maryland does not recognize permits/CCWs from any other state.' Maryland law does not authorize reciprocity agreements with any state.

Carry rules in Maryland

Maryland's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• No Maryland statute imposes a proactive duty to tell an officer you are carrying; the permit must be in your possession whenever you carry, wear or transport a handgun (Pub. Safety §5-308).
• Maryland limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds — a limit that applies to visitors, and one of the easiest laws to break by accident.
• Maryland is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Maryland recognizes.
• A Wear and Carry Permit allows carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle; without a permit, handguns may only be transported unloaded between enumerated locations under the Crim. Law §4-203 transport exceptions.

Off-limits places in Maryland

Maryland bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Public and private K-12 schools, preschools and child care centers (CR 4-102, CR 4-111(c))
• State and local government buildings and higher-education buildings (CR 4-111(d))

See all 6 places you can't carry in Maryland →

West Virginia vs Maryland: what changes at the state line

Crossing from West Virginia into Maryland changes 4 rules: permitless carry (Yes (18+) → No); magazine limit (None → 10 rounds); out-of-state permits honored (36 states → None); open carry (Yes, no permit → With a permit).

Going the other way, a Maryland non-resident permit in West Virginia: permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies.

Driving on from Maryland

How a West Virginia non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Maryland:

• Delaware — Recognized — carry with your permit
• Pennsylvania — Not recognized
• Virginia — Recognized — carry with your permit
• District of Columbia — Not recognized

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland honor a West Virginia resident permit?

Not recognized. The answer is the same as for the non-resident permit on this page.

Can a Maryland non-resident permit holder carry in West Virginia?

Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on West Virginia's law, not Maryland's.

Where does Maryland publish its official reciprocity list?

Maryland publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.