State profile · MD
Maryland Concealed Carry Reciprocity: Where Your Permit Works
A Maryland resident permit (Maryland Wear and Carry Permit (Handgun Permit)) is honored in 27 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 7 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In the other direction, Maryland recognizes no out-of-state carry permits. Maryland is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Maryland recognizes.
Where a Maryland permit is honored
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits Maryland honors
Maryland does not recognize any out-of-state concealed-carry permit.
MSP FAQ: 'Maryland does not recognize permits/CCWs from any other state.' Maryland law does not authorize reciprocity agreements with any state.
Maryland at a glance
- Permit
- Maryland Wear and Carry Permit (Handgun Permit)
- Issued by
- Maryland State Police, Licensing Division
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permits
- Issued
- Permitless carry
- No
- Duty to inform
- No
- Magazine limit
- 10 rounds
Pub. Safety §5-306 contains no residency requirement; out-of-state residents apply through the same MSP Licensing Division process.
Vehicle carry
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
- 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))
- Health care facilities including hospitals and nursing facilities (CR 4-111(c))
- Polling places and ballot canvassing facilities (CR 4-111(d))
- Stadiums, museums, casinos, racetracks and amusement parks (CR 4-111(e))
- State parks and state forests (COMAR 08.07.06.04, 08.07.01.04)
Frequently asked questions
- Which states honor a Maryland carry permit?
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does Maryland recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- MSP FAQ: 'Maryland does not recognize permits/CCWs from any other state.' Maryland law does not authorize reciprocity agreements with any state.
- Can I carry in Maryland without a permit?
- Maryland is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Maryland recognizes.
- Do I have to tell police in Maryland that I am carrying?
- 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).
Official sources
- Maryland State Police — Wear & Carry Permit — accessed 2026-08-08
- Maryland State Police — Firearms FAQs (reciprocity statement) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Maryland State Police — Prohibited Places to Carry a Firearm (incl. Kipke v. Moore status) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Md. Public Safety §5-306 (permit qualifications, no residency or good-and-substantial-reason requirement) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Md. Criminal Law §4-305 (detachable magazines over 10 rounds) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Md. Public Safety §5-308 (permit must be carried) — accessed 2026-08-08