Is a California 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

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Maryland, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• 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 →

California vs Maryland: what changes at the state line

Crossing from California into Maryland changes one rule: open carry (Restricted → With a permit).

Going the other way, a Maryland resident permit in California: not recognized.

Driving on from Maryland

How a California resident permit fares in the states bordering Maryland:

• Delaware — Not recognized
• Pennsylvania — Not recognized
• Virginia — Recognized — carry with your permit
• West Virginia — Permit not recognized — but permitless carry applies
• District of Columbia — Not recognized

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland honor a California non-resident permit?

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

Can a Maryland resident permit holder carry in California?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on California'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.