The New Resident registration is avilable online at the following webpage: Maryland Department of State Police (eMDSP) Online Services Page​  

Register firearms with 90 days of new residency

Firearms must be unloaded, in a carrying case, holster with a flap and the ammunition should be separate. It would be best to keep the unloaded weapon in the trunk where you do not have access to it. There are further regulations but essentially you can only transport a handgun between residence, to and from a repair shop, a shooting sporting event, between a residence and place of business if substantially owned and operated by the person. For more information please contact Maryland Licensing Division​.

No. An HQL is only required to purchase, rent or transfer a firearm in Maryland.

You are not required to obtain an HQL for a firearm you already lawfully own.

If you wish to carry a firearm you must apply for CCW Permit

• Be a Maryland resident who is at least 21 years old
• Have a Maryland driver's license or identification card
• Submit fingerprints to the state for a background check - having no felony convictions, and no misdemeanor convictions for which you could have been sentenced to more than one year in prison
• Complete a 4-hour firearms training course
• Pay the application fee

HQL- up to 30 days

CCW- up to 90 days

If you are any one of the below you are exempt​.

1. You are an active law enforcement officer with a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State or any local law enforcement agency in the State.
2. You are a retired law enforcement officer with a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State or any local law enforcement agency in the State.
3. You are an active, retired, or honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard.
4. You are a Qualified Handgun Instructor registered with the Maryland State Police.
5. You have successfully completed a firearms training course given by a Qualified Handgun Instructor. (The on-line firearm safety course is no longer accepted).

• Age: Be at least 21 years old
• Criminal record: Have no felony convictions, and no misdemeanor convictions for which you could have been sentenced to more than one year in prison
• Substance abuse: Have no convictions involving the possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances, and not be currently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance
• Mental health: Not suffer from a “mental disorder,” as defined, and have no history of violent behavior against the person or another
• Training: Complete a state-approved 16-hour firearms training course within two years of submitting the application
• Fingerprints: Get your fingerprints taken at an Electronic Fingerprint Processing Center authorized by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
• Application: Apply for a permit online in the Licensing Portal
• Application fee: The application fee is $125 for an original or initial permit, $75 for a renewal, and $20 for a replacement or modification
• Processing time: You can expect to wait 90 days for your application to be processed

There are several exemptions to the concealed carry (CCW) training and licensing requirements in Maryland, including:

• Law enforcement officers Active, retired, or honorably discharged law enforcement officers are exempt from the 16-hour state-approved firearms training requirement. They also do not need to obtain a handgun qualification license (HQL) to purchase a handgun.
• Military members Active, retired, or honorably discharged members of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard are exempt from the training requirement.
• Qualified handgun instructors Qualified handgun instructors registered with the Maryland State Police are exempt from the training requirement.
• Antique, curio, or relic purchases Individuals purchasing, renting, or receiving an antique, curio, or relic are exempt from the licensing requirements.

Yes. Maryland allows you to purchase one regulated firearm every 30 days or make dual (up to 2) purchases in a 60 day period

If you are a collector or planning on transferring several firearms at a time it is recommended that you apply for a Collectors License

The Collectors License is free and can be obtained by sending a request to MSP 

​No. Maryland does not recognize permits/CCWs from any other state.​

No. State law does not permit medical cannabis patients in Maryland to buy or own firearms.

 Medical marijuana patients are considered users of a Schedule 1 controlled substance and are prohibited from owning firearms.

It is the Permit holder’s responsibility to ensure the Licensing Division is notified of address or name changes in writing. There is no fee to change information maintained by the Licensing Division. E-mail notifications are not accepted and you may not receive a confirmation of receipt for change of information.