Maryland Firearms Regulation: Compliance in the Old Line State from Baltimore to the Atlantic

Wear and Carry Permits, Handgun Qualification Licenses (HQL), Banned Firearms & Sensitive Places in MD

Maryland operates under a complex regulatory system that includes the Handgun Qualification License (HQL) for purchasers and a recently overhauled “Wear and Carry” permit process. From the suburbs of D.C. to the Eastern Shore, gun owners must navigate a long list of “assault long guns” that are banned by name and strict magazine capacity limits. This section provides a clear breakdown of Maryland’s evolving “sensitive places” legislation, the legalities of transporting firearms through the state, and the specific requirements for legal private transfers.