<P> Gun laws in Maryland regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of Maryland . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State permit required to purchase? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Md Public Safety Article Section 5 - 117.1 </Td> <Td> A Handgun Qualification License is required, unless exempted (Active Duty / Retired Military with identification cards, Active / Retired Law Enforcement with department credentials, Federal Firearms Licensees); training is required, unless exempted; fingerprints are required; background checks are required; does not invalidate the requirement to perform a comprehensive background check for every handgun purchase transaction . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> The state police maintain a permanent record of all handgun transfers . Automatic weapons must be registered with the state police . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Owner license required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Carry permits required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Maryland is a "may issue" state for concealed carry . Applicants must demonstrate a "good and substantial reason" to carry a handgun . Permits are normally very difficult (but not impossible) for ordinary citizens to obtain . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Open carry permitted? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Open carry is permitted with a carry license, but is not generally practiced except by uniformed private security officers . Long guns and antique handguns may be carried openly without a license . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State preemption of local restrictions? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Maryland has state preemption for most but not all firearm laws . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Assault weapon law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Md Criminal Law Article Section 4 - 303 Firearms Safety Act of 2013 </Td> <Td> Certain models of firearms are banned as assault pistols and assault long guns . It is illegal to possess an assault weapon or a copycat weapon with two or more specified features (folding stock, grenade / flare launcher, flash suppressor) unless owned before 10 / 1 / 2013, or received through inheritance from a lawful possessor and not otherwise forbidden to possess . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Magazine capacity restriction? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Illegal to purchase, sell or manufacture magazines with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds within Maryland . However, possession of magazines greater than 10 rounds is legal if purchased out of state . These may not, however, be transferred to a subsequent owner unless done so outside the state of Maryland . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NFA weapons restricted? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Automatic firearms, SBSs, and SBRs must be owned in compliance with federal law . Law is silent in regards to DDs, suppressors, and AOWs . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Background checks required for private sales? </Td> <Td> Partial </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> GAM Public Safety, § 5 - 124 </Td> <Td> All private transfers of regulated firearms (handguns or assault weapons) must be processed through a licensed dealer or designated law enforcement agency which must conduct a background check on the buyer . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Red flag law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

Do you have to register rifles in maryland