No, open carry is generally illegal in Maryland unless the carrier holds a valid permit under strict exceptions, with local jurisdictions like Baltimore City enforcing heightened restrictions and the 2026 legislative session poised to further tighten compliance requirements.
Key Regulations for Open Carry in Maryland
- Permit Requirement: Open carry is prohibited unless the individual possesses a Wear and Carry Permit issued by the Maryland State Police, which mandates background checks, firearms training, and proof of “good and substantial reason.”
- Local Jurisdictional Variations: Baltimore City and Montgomery County impose additional layers of scrutiny, including mandatory interviews and heightened storage regulations for permittees.
- Prohibited Locations: Open carry is banned in government buildings, schools, private properties with posted signage, and during declared states of emergency, per the Maryland Code, Public Safety § 5-303.
Recent legislative proposals in the 2026 session aim to redefine “good and substantial reason” to exclude generalized self-defense claims, potentially reducing permit issuance rates by 15-20% based on preliminary estimates from the Maryland Police Training Commission. Non-permit open carry remains a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and $2,500 in fines, with enhanced penalties for violations in sensitive areas.