Minimum 21 years old.

No felony or disqualifying misdemeanor convictions, substance abuse issues, or mental health problems.

Completion of a state-approved firearms training course (16 hours) within two years of submitting the application.

No active restraining orders or domestic violence convictions.

1. TAKE THE COURSE
   • Complete a state-approved firearm training course within two years of application or meet a training exemption.
     • Exemptions for the course
       • Qualified Handgun Instructors
       • Honorably Discharged Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or National Guard.
   • MD Concealed Carry and Home Defense Course
     • Completing a state-approved firearms training course is a non-negotiable prerequisite to obtaining your Wear and Carry permit in Maryland. 
     • The 16-hour training course covers a range of topics designed to ensure you are knowledgeable and proficient in firearm safety and handling. Key components include:
       • Firearm Safety: Fundamental safety rules for handling, storing, and carrying firearms.
       • Legal Knowledge: Understanding Maryland’s firearm laws, including when and where you can legally carry a concealed weapon and the legal implications of using a firearm in self-defense.
       • Basic Skills and Marksmanship: Handgun mechanisms and operation and basic shooting techniques, aiming, and accuracy.
       • Situational Awareness: How to assess threats and make informed decisions in high-stress situations.
     • At the end of the course, you will be given a proficiency test where you must demonstrate safe gun handling skills and complete a course of at least 25 rounds from no further than 15 yards away. To pass, you must have at least 70% accuracy.
2. GET FINGERPRINTED
   • Get fingerprints taken at an Electronic Fingerprint Processing Center authorized by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Look here for locations: DPSCS – Fingerprint Services
3. COMPLETE the APPLICATION using the Maryland State Police online licensing portal, you will need the following:
   • A copy of your firearms training certificate: MD CCHD Passport-style color photographs of yourselfElectronic fingerprints
   • Complete the Online Application on the Maryland State Police Website:
     • https://emdsp.mdsp.org/egov/PersonSearchResults.asp
       • 1) Click on Create User Account
       • 2) After you create your User Account, Log-On to: https://emdsp.mdsp.org/egov/Login.aspx
       • 3) On the Web Page, click on BLUE LINK that says “Initial Application”
       • 4) On the Drop-Down Boxes use the following Options:
         • Firearms Services
         • HGP
         • Application
         • Enter the Live Scan Tracking Number
       • Click Start Application and FOLLOW the examples listed below the boxes you fill out. There are several Pages that you need to fill out. Please ensure that you have already completed your livescan fingerprints.
       • Upload any necessary Documents that prove your Training (MD CCHD Course Certificate).
       • This application requires you to enter a Good & Substantial Reason for carrying a firearm and asks you to “be specific.” The HGP also asks for 3 references who have known you for more than 2 years, your employment history for the last 5 years, and other basic data about yourself such as address and DOB.
       • When all the forms are filled out, submit them with your Master Card or Visa Card Information for the $75.00 fee, and wait.
4. CHECK YOUR EMAIL
   • You will receive application status updates via email as your application progresses and will be notified within 90 days of submittal of a complete application whether your application has been approved or denied.
5. RENEWAL
   • Your initial wear and carry permit will expire on the last day of your birth month two years after the permit is issued. Start your renewal application at least 90 days prior to the expiration date. You should receive a renewal reminder via email.  
   • Before you submit a renewal application, you must complete an 8-hour renewal training courseapproved by the state (MD CCHHD Renewal). This is similar to the course required for the initial permit, but it lasts just one day instead of two. The renewal fee to the state is $75, payable electronically at the time of application.

Please see the following links for more information:

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/how-to-get-a-concealed-carry-permit/maryland

https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/Firearms/WearandCarryPermit.aspx

1) Take the Course

• Virginia Concealed Carry and Home Defense Course
• Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Wildlife Resources or a similar agency of another state;
• Completing any National Rifle Association or United States Concealed Carry Association firearms safety or training course;
• Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, institution of higher education, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association, the United States Concealed Carry Association, or the Department of Criminal Justice Services; 

2) Certificate of Completion

• After completing the course, you will receive a certificate to send to the Virginia State Police during application.

3) Complete the Application

1. Download and print the Application for Concealed Handgun Permit Form SP-248
2. Fill out the application and submit the form along with your certificate of course completion to the clerk of the circuit court of the county or city in which you reside. The application fee shall not exceed $50.
   • For members of the United States Armed Forces, this is the county or city in which you are domiciled. 

4) HOLD FOR PROCESSING

• The court shall issue the permit within 45 days of receipt of the completed application unless it appears that the applicant is disqualified. The permit is good for 5 years.
• Please see the link below for possible disqualification reasons. 

5) RENEWAL

• Persons who previously have held a Virginia resident permit shall be issued, upon application, a new five-year permit unless there is good cause shown for refusing to reissue a permit. The same fees and time constraints apply in the instance of renewal.

Please see the Virginia State Police Website for more info:

https://vsp.virginia.gov/services/firearms/resident-concealed-handgun-permits/

1. Ensure that you have an active HQL
   • The Maryland Handgun Qualification License is required to purchase a Handgun in Maryland.
   • If you do not have an HQL, or if your HQL has expired, please see the FAQ on obtaining the MD HQL.
2. Head to a MD Certified Gun Store near you
   • You will need to complete The Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R)  here: https://licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov/MspBridgeClient/#/home        
   • Most gun stores have laptops/computers where you can complete this form at the time of purchase.
   • Upon completing and submitting the applicant portion of the MSP 77R, you will receive a confirmation email with your application number and PIN number. Both the application number and PIN number will be required by a licensed Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer or a Maryland State Police Barrack to complete the MSP 77R. 
   • The Dealer will verify the identity of the applicant and the application data entered, reaffirm the application questions with the applicant, enter the firearm and payment information and submit the MSP 77R to the Licensing Division. Submission of the MSP 77R by the Dealer begins the required 7-day wait. On the morning of the 8th day after the MSP 77R was received by the Licensing Division, you will receive an email notifying you of your final disposition.

*Note, handguns cannot be shipped to your home in Maryland. Once shipped, you will need to head to a Gun Store with a Federal Firearms License (FFL) to complete the purchase.  

1. Ensure that you have an active MD HQL
   • The Maryland Handgun Qualification License is required to purchase a Handgun in Maryland. 
   • If you do not have an HQL, or if your HQL has expired, please see the section on obtaining the MD HQL.
2. Find your preferred handgun on any online store. Confirm that they ship to Maryland. 
3. Find a Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer in Maryland. All certified registered gun shops in MD are FFLs. 
   • Shipping handguns with high-capacity magazines:
     • If you are planning on purchasing a handgun with high-capacity magazines (10 rounds or larger), please ensure that your FFL can cap the magazines at 10 rds. If not, the FLL may have to discard the magazines, and you will need to purchase 10-rd magazines separately. 
4. Head to a MD Certified Gun Store near you
   • You will need to complete The Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R)  here: https://licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov/MspBridgeClient/#/home        
   • Most gun stores have laptops/computers where you can complete this form at the time of purchase.
   • Upon completing and submitting the applicant portion of the MSP 77R, you will receive a confirmation email with your application number and PIN number. Both the application number and PIN number will be required by a licensed Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer or a Maryland State Police Barrack to complete the MSP 77R. There is a $10 fee associated with the purchase.
   • The Dealer will verify the identity of the applicant and the application data entered, reaffirm the application questions with the applicant, enter the firearm and payment information and submit the MSP 77R to the Licensing Division. Submission of the MSP 77R by the Dealer begins the required 7-day wait. On the morning of the 8th day after the MSP 77R was received by the Licensing Division, you will receive an email notifying you of your final disposition.

Please see the below for more information:

https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/Firearms/RegulatedFirearmPurchases.aspx

In Maryland, non-regulated firearms, including most rifles and shotguns, do not require a permit or Handgun Qualification License (HQL) to purchase. However, a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is still required for non-regulated firearm purchases.

1. Find a Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer in Maryland. All certified registered gun shops in MD are FFLs. 

• Head to a MD Certified Gun Store near you
  • You will need to complete The Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R)  here: https://licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov/MspBridgeClient/#/home        
  • Most gun stores have laptops/computers where you can complete this form at the time of purchase.

• Upon completing and submitting the applicant portion of the MSP 77R, you will receive a confirmation email with your application number and PIN number. Both the application number and PIN number will be required by a licensed Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer or a Maryland State Police Barrack to complete the MSP 77R. There is a $10 fee associated with the purchase.

• Pick up your Rifle
• You can take your rifle home same-day. Unlike with purchasing a handgun in MD, there is no 7-day waiting period for non-regulated firearms like rifles and shotguns. 
• After you have paid and been cleared for purchasing, you can head home with your long gun in tow. 

Please see the below links for more information:

https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/FAQs.aspx

Follow the same steps for purchasing a Handgun in Maryland. The process will not be the same 

1. HQL
   • Maryland Residents need an HQL to purchase a handgun even for out-of-state purchases
2. Licensed Virginia Dealer
   • The sale must be conducted through a Virginia licensed dealer. You’ll need to provide documentation of Maryland residency and a valid photo ID. Virginia law requires a background check for handgun purchases, regardless of residency.
3. MSP 77R Application
   • Maryland residents need to complete the MSP 77R application through the Maryland State Police Licensing Portal. 
4. 10-Day Wait 
   • A 10-day waiting period is required before a Maryland resident can receive a handgun. 

1. IDENTIFICATION
   • Maryland residents must be at least 21 years old and provide valid identification, including proof of Maryland residency.
2. MSP 77R Application
   • MD Residents will also need to complete a Maryland State Police application and affidavit to purchase a regulated firearm (MSP 77R).
3. Pick Up Your Long Gun
   • You can take your rifle/shotgun home same-day. Unlike with purchasing a handgun in MD, there is no 7-day waiting period for non-regulated firearms like rifles and shotguns. After you have paid and been cleared for purchasing, you can head home with your long gun in tow. 

Please see more info here:

https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/FAQs.aspx