A person generally may not transport an "assault weapon" into Maryland or possess, sell, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, or receive an "assault weapon." (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-303) The term "assault weapon" is defined by state statute to include an "assault long gun," "assault pistol," or "a copycat weapon." (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-301)

State law provides a grandfather clause for those who possessed these now-prohibited firearms prior to prohibition. The relevant statute states,

"A person who lawfully possessed an assault pistol before June 1, 1994, and who registered the assault pistol with the Secretary of State Police before August 1, 1994, may: (i) continue to possess and transport the assault pistol;"

"A person who lawfully possessed, has a purchase order for, or completed an application to purchase an assault long gun or a copycat weapon before October 1, 2013, may: (i) possess and transport the assault long gun or copycat weapon;" (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-303)

Maryland restricts detachable magazines with a capacity greater than 10 rounds in the following manner:

"A person may not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, purchase, receive, or transfer a detachable magazine that has a capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition for a firearm." (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-305)

Maryland generally prohibits "rapid fire activators."(MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-305.1) This term is defined to include "a bump stock, trigger crank, hellfire trigger, binary trigger system, burst trigger system, switch/auto-sear, or a copy or a similar device, regardless of the producer or manufacturer." (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-301)

The term "assault pistol" is defined in the following manner:

“Assault pistol” means any of the following firearms or a copy regardless of the producer or manufacturer:
(1) AA Arms AP-9 semiautomatic pistol;
(2) Bushmaster semiautomatic pistol;
(3) Claridge HI-TEC semiautomatic pistol;
(4) D Max Industries semiautomatic pistol;
(5) Encom MK-IV, MP-9, or MP-45 semiautomatic pistol;
(6) Heckler and Koch semiautomatic SP-89 pistol;
(7) Holmes MP-83 semiautomatic pistol;
(8) Ingram MAC 10/11 semiautomatic pistol and variations including the Partisan Avenger and the SWD Cobray;
(9) Intratec TEC-9/DC-9 semiautomatic pistol in any centerfire variation;
(10) P.A.W.S. type semiautomatic pistol;
(11) Skorpion semiautomatic pistol;
(12) Spectre double action semiautomatic pistol (Sile, F.I.E., Mitchell);
(13) UZI semiautomatic pistol;
(14) Weaver Arms semiautomatic Nighthawk pistol; or
(15) Wilkinson semiautomatic “Linda” pistol.
(MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-301)

The term "assault long gun" is defined in the following manner:

a firearm that is any of the following specific assault weapons or their copies, regardless of which company produced and manufactured that assault weapon:
(i) American Arms Spectre da Semiautomatic carbine;
(ii) AK-47 in all forms;
(iii) Algimec AGM-1 type semi-auto;
(iv) AR 100 type semi-auto;
(v) AR 180 type semi-auto;
(vi) Argentine L.S.R. semi-auto;
(vii) Australian Automatic Arms SAR type semi-auto;
(viii) Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1 and 1927 semi-automatics;
(ix) Barrett light .50 cal. semi-auto;
(x) Beretta AR70 type semi-auto;
(xi) Bushmaster semi-auto rifle;
(xii) Calico models M-100 and M-900;
(xiii) CIS SR 88 type semi-auto;
(xiv) Claridge HI TEC C-9 carbines;
(xv) Colt AR-15, CAR-15, and all imitations except Colt AR-15 Sporter H-BAR rifle;
(xvi) Daewoo MAX 1 and MAX 2, aka AR 100, 110C, K-1, and K-2;
(xvii) Dragunov Chinese made semi-auto;
(xviii) Famas semi-auto (.223 caliber);
(xix) Feather AT-9 semi-auto;
(xx) FN LAR and FN FAL assault rifle;
(xxi) FNC semi-auto type carbine;
(xxii) F.I.E./Franchi LAW 12 and SPAS 12 assault shotgun;
(xxiii) Steyr-AUG-SA semi-auto;
(xxiv) Galil models AR and ARM semi-auto;
(xxv) Heckler and Koch HK-91 A3, HK-93 A2, HK-94 A2 and A3;
(xxvi) Holmes model 88 shotgun;
(xxvii) Avtomat Kalashnikov semiautomatic rifle in any format;
(xxviii) Manchester Arms “Commando” MK-45, MK-9;
(xxix) Mandell TAC-1 semi-auto carbine;
(xxx) Mossberg model 500 Bullpup assault shotgun;
(xxxi) Sterling Mark 6; (xxxii) P.A.W.S. carbine;
(xxxiii) Ruger mini-14 folding stock model (.223 caliber);
(xxxiv) SIG 550/551 assault rifle (.223 caliber);
(xxxv) SKS with detachable magazine;
(xxxvi) AP-74 Commando type semi-auto;
(xxxvii) Springfield Armory BM-59, SAR-48, G3, SAR-3, M-21 sniper rifle, M1A, excluding the M1 Garand;
(xxxviii) Street sweeper assault type shotgun;
(xxxix) Striker 12 assault shotgun in all formats;
(xl) Unique F11 semi-auto type;
(xli) Daewoo USAS 12 semi-auto shotgun;
(xlii) UZI 9mm carbine or rifle;
(xliii) Valmet M-76 and M-78 semi-auto;
(xliv) Weaver Arms “Nighthawk” semi-auto carbine; or
(xlv) Wilkinson Arms 9mm semi-auto “Terry”.
(MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-101(r)(2))

The term "copycat weapon" is defined in the following manner:

“Copycat weapon” means:
(i) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has any two of the following:
1. a folding stock;
2. a grenade launcher or flare launcher; or
3. a flash suppressor;
(ii) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds;
(iii) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 29 inches;
(iv) a semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds;
(v) a semiautomatic shotgun that has a folding stock; or
(vi) a shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
(2) “Copycat weapon” does not include an assault long gun or an assault pistol.
(MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-301)

Maryland prohibits anyone from selling, renting, or transferring handgun ammunition to a person under 21 and any firearm ammunition to a minor. (MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-134)

The transfer of a rifle or shotgun (that does not qualify as an "assault weapon") must take place pursuant to a NICS background check at a firearms dealer.

The statute implementing this requirement does not apply to the following:

(i) involving a licensee or a federally licensed gun manufacturer, dealer, or importer;
(ii) between immediate family members;
(iii) involving law enforcement personnel of any unit of the federal government, a member of the armed forces, a member of the National Guard, or law enforcement personnel of the State or any local agency in the State, while acting in the scope of official duty;
(iv) of a curio or relic firearm between collectors who each have in their possession a valid collector of curios and relics license, as the terms are defined in federal law or determinations published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives;
(v) of an unserviceable rifle or shotgun sold, rented, or transferred as a curio or museum piece;
(vi) of a rifle or shotgun modified to render it permanently inoperative; or
(vii) in which the purchaser, lessee, or transferee:
1. has a demonstrable religious belief against taking a portrait photograph; and
2. does not possess a license or an identification card of any kind with photographic identification; or
(2) a transfer that occurs by operation of law on the death of a person for whom the transferee is an executor, an administrator, a trustee, or a personal representative of an estate or a trust created in a will.

(MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-204.1)

The transfer of a handgun requires approval by the Secretary of the State Police. (MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-124)

In order to purchase, rent, or receive a handgun, a person must obtain a Handgun Qualification License.

The license is shall-issue and is good for 10 years.

The statute governing the Handgun Qualification License provides that the Secretary of the State Police shall issue a license if a person is not prohibited from possessing a handgun and meets the following criteria:

(1) is at least 21 years old;
(2) is a resident of the State;
(3) except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, has demonstrated satisfactory completion, within 3 years prior to the submission of the application, of a firearms safety training course approved by the Secretary that includes:
(i) a minimum of 4 hours of instruction by a qualified handgun instructor;
(ii) classroom instruction on:
1. State firearm law;
2. home firearm safety; and
3. handgun mechanisms and operation; and
(iii) a firearms orientation component that demonstrates the person's safe operation and handling of a firearm; and
(4) based on an investigation, is not prohibited by federal or State law from purchasing or possessing a handgun.
(e) An applicant for a handgun qualification license is not required to complete a firearms safety training course under subsection (d) of this section if the applicant:
(1) has completed a certified firearms training course approved by the Secretary;
(2) has completed a course of instruction in competency and safety in the handling of firearms prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources under § 10-301.1 of the Natural Resources Article;
(3) is a qualified handgun instructor;
(4) is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard;
(5) is an employee of an armored car company and has a permit issued under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of this article; or
(6) lawfully owns a regulated firearm.

(MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-117.1)

The Secretary of the State Police is required to "maintain a permanent record of all notifications received of completed sales, rentals, and transfers of regulated firearms in the State." The definition of "regulated firearms" includes handguns. (MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-123)

Those who move to the state with the intent to become a resident are required to register their "regulated firearms" with the Secretary of the State Police within 90 days of establishing residency. (MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-143)

Possession of a "regulated firearm," including handguns is generally prohibited by those under 21-years-old and by persons who meet the following criteria, as listed by statute:

(1) has been convicted of a disqualifying crime;
(2) has been convicted of a violation classified as a common law crime and received a term of imprisonment of more than 2 years;
(3)(i) has been convicted on or after October 1, 2023, of a second or subsequent violation of § 4-104 of the Criminal Law Article; or
(ii) has been convicted on or after October 1, 2023, of a violation of § 4-104 of the Criminal Law Article if the violation resulted in the use of a loaded firearm by a minor causing death or serious bodily injury to the minor or another person;
(4) subject to subsection (b-1) of this section, is on supervised probation after being convicted:
(i) of a crime punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or more;
(ii) for a violation of § 21-902(b) or (c) of the Transportation Article; or
(iii) for violating a protective order under § 4-509 of the Family Law Article;
(5) is a fugitive from justice;
(6) is a habitual drunkard;
(7) is addicted to a controlled dangerous substance or is a habitual user;
(8) suffers from a mental disorder as defined in § 10-101(i)(2) of the Health--General Article and has a history of violent behavior against the person or another;
(9) has been found incompetent to stand trial under § 3-106 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
(10) has been found not criminally responsible under § 3-110 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
(11) has been voluntarily admitted for more than 30 consecutive days to a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health--General Article;
(12) has been involuntarily committed to a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health--General Article;
(13) is under the protection of a guardian appointed by a court under § 13-201(c) or § 13-705 of the Estates and Trusts Article, except for cases in which the appointment of a guardian is solely a result of a physical disability;
(14) except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, is a respondent against whom:
(i) a current non ex parte civil protective order has been entered under § 4-506 of the Family Law Article; or
(ii) an order for protection, as defined in § 4-508.1 of the Family Law Article, has been issued by a court of another state or a Native American tribe and is in effect; or
(15) if under the age of 30 years at the time of possession, has been adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for an act that would be a disqualifying crime if committed by an adult.

(MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-133(b))

Further, the statute provides,

A person may not possess a regulated firearm if the person was previously convicted of:
(i) a crime of violence;
(ii) a violation of § 5-602, § 5-603, § 5-604, § 5-605, § 5-612, § 5-613, § 5-614, § 5-621, or § 5-622 of the Criminal Law Article; or
(iii) an offense under the laws of another state or the United States that would constitute one of the crimes listed in item (i) or (ii) of this paragraph if committed in this State.

The possession of rifles and shotguns (not classified as "assault weapons") is prohibited by persons who meet the following criteria, as listed by statute:

(1) has been convicted of a disqualifying crime as defined in § 5-101 of this title;
(2) has been convicted of a violation classified as a crime under common law and received a term of imprisonment of more than 2 years;
(3) is a fugitive from justice;
(4) is a habitual drunkard as defined in § 5-101 of this title;
(5) is addicted to a controlled dangerous substance or is a habitual user as defined in § 5-101 of this title;
(6) suffers from a mental disorder as defined in § 10-101(i)(2) of the Health--General Article and has a history of violent behavior against the person or another;
(7) has been found incompetent to stand trial under § 3-106 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
(8) has been found not criminally responsible under § 3-110 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
(9) has been voluntarily admitted for more than 30 consecutive days to a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health--General Article;
(10) has been involuntarily committed to a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health--General Article;
(11) is under the protection of a guardian appointed by a court under § 13-201(c) or § 13-705 of the Estates and Trusts Article, except for cases in which the appointment of a guardian is solely a result of a physical disability;
(12) except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, is a respondent against whom:
(i) a current non ex parte civil protective order has been entered under § 4-506 of the Family Law Article; or
(ii) an order for protection, as defined in § 4-508.1 of the Family Law Article, has been issued by a court of another state or a Native American tribe and is in effect; or
(13) if under the age of 30 years at the time of possession, has been adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for an act that would be a disqualifying crime if committed by an adult.

(MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-205)

Maryland statute also provides,

A person may not possess a rifle or shotgun if the person was previously convicted of:
(1) a crime of violence as defined in § 5-101 of this title;
(2) a violation of § 5-602, § 5-603, § 5-604, § 5-605, § 5-612, § 5-613, or § 5-614 of the Criminal Law Article; or
(3) an offense under the laws of another state or the United States that would constitute one of the crimes listed in item (1) or (2) of this subsection if committed in this State.

(MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-206)

Maryland law generally provides that a person may not "wear, carry, or transport a handgun, whether concealed or open, on or about the person" without a Maryland Handgun Wear and Carry Permit. (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-203) Permit holders must carry concealed. (MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-307)

Maryland law requires the Secretary of the State Police to issue a carry permit if a person meets certain criteria. The statute governing this requirement provides:

the Secretary shall issue a permit within a reasonable time to a person who the Secretary finds:
(1)(i) is at least 21 years old; or
(ii) is a person who is a member of the uniformed services or the National Guard;
(2)(i) has not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year has been imposed; or
(ii) if convicted of a crime described in item (i) of this item, has been pardoned or has been granted relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c);
(3) has not been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance;
(4) is not on supervised probation for:
(i) conviction of a crime punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or more;
(ii) a violation of § 21-902(b) or (c) of the Transportation Article; or
(iii) violating a protective order under § 4-509 of the Family Law Article;
(5) is not presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance unless the habitual use of the controlled dangerous substance is under legitimate medical direction;
(6) does not suffer from a mental disorder as defined in § 10-101(i)(2) of the Health--General Article and have a history of violent behavior against the person or another;
(7) has not been involuntarily admitted for more than 30 consecutive days to a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health--General Article;
(8) is not a respondent against whom:
(i) a current non ex parte civil protective order has been entered under § 4-506 of the Family Law Article;
(ii) a current extreme risk protective order has been entered under § 5-601 of this title; or
(iii) any other type of current court order has been entered prohibiting the person from purchasing or possessing firearms;
(9) except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, has successfully completed prior to application and each renewal, a firearms training course approved by the Secretary that meets the minimum criteria specified in subsection (a-1) of this section; and
(10) based on an investigation:
(i) has not exhibited a propensity for violence or instability that may reasonably render the person's possession of a handgun a danger to the person or to another; and
(ii) is not otherwise prohibited by State or federal law from purchasing or possessing a handgun.

(MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-306(a))

In addition to these criteria, the statute prescribes other prohibiting conduct, including certain juvenile adjudications that are prohibiting for permit applicants under the age of 30. (MD Code, Public Safety, § 5-306(c) and (d))

Maryland has prohibited carry, even by permit holders, in a long list of locations. (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-111; 4-208) The scope of Maryland's prohibited places is the subject of ongoing litigation.

Rifles and shotguns being transported in motor vehicles must be unloaded. (MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-410(c)(1))

A person may transport a handgun if they can demonstrate that the handgun is being carried, worn or transported:

• To or from a place of legal purchase or sale, or repair shop;
• Between a person’s bona fide residences, or between his residence and place of business, if the business is operated and substantially owned by that person;
• While engaged in, or traveling to and from a target shoot, formal or informal target practice, sport shooting event, hunting, trapping, or dog obedience training class or show; or
• By a bona fide gun collector who is moving any part or all of his gun collection from place to place for public or private exhibition.

During transportation to and from the above places the handgun must be unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or enclosed holster. (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-203)

In addition to complying with federal law, Maryland law requires that a machine gun be registered within 24 hours of acquisition and annually thereafter with the Secretary of Police. (MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-403)

§ 4-209.

      (a)      Except as otherwise provided in this section, the State preempts the right of a county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district to regulate the purchase, sale, taxation, transfer, manufacture, repair, ownership, possession, and transportation of:

            (1)      a handgun, rifle, or shotgun; and

            (2)      ammunition for and components of a handgun, rifle, or shotgun.

      (b)      (1)      A county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district may regulate the purchase, sale, transfer, ownership, possession, and transportation of the items listed in subsection (a) of this section:

                  (i)      with respect to minors;

                  (ii)      with respect to law enforcement officials of the subdivision; and

                  (iii)      except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, within 100 yards of or in a park, church, school, public building, and other place of public assembly.

            (2)      A county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district may not prohibit the teaching of or training in firearms safety, or other educational or sporting use of the items listed in subsection (a) of this section.

      (c)      To the extent that a local law does not create an inconsistency with this section or expand existing regulatory control, a county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district may exercise its existing authority to amend any local law that existed on or before December 31, 1984.

      (d)      (1)      Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, in accordance with law, a county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district may regulate the discharge of handguns, rifles, and shotguns.

            (2)      A county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district may not prohibit the discharge of firearms at established ranges.

MD Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, § 5-403.1 provides:

(a) In this section, “sport shooting range” means an area designed and used for trapshooting, skeetshooting, or other target shooting.
(b) This section applies only to private nuisance actions and does not apply to public nuisance actions.
(c) If there has been no shooting activity at a sport shooting range for a period of 3 consecutive years, the date of resumption of shooting activity is considered the date of the establishment of a sport shooting range for purposes of this section.
(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not bring a civil nuisance action for noise against a person who owns, operates, or uses a sport shooting range located within the vicinity of the property of the person bringing the action if the sport shooting range was established as of the date the person acquired the property.
(2) This section may not be construed to limit a nuisance action against a sport shooting range established on or after June 1, 1997.