Posted: 10/17/2024 5:40:29 PM EDT
[Last Edit: scuba_steve][Edited]
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Since the US Supreme Court issued the Bruen decision in 2022, getting a Maryland conceal carry permit (aka, a wear and carry permit) is actually a fairly straightforward process, both for residents and non-residents alike, assuming the applicant meets the following criteria: 1) Is 21 years of age OR is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or uniformed services; 2) Has not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than one year has been imposed OR convicted of a criminal offense for which they could have been sentenced to more than 2 years incarceration; 3) Has not been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance; 4) Is not presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance unless under legitimate medical direction. The Maryland State Police's Handgun Wear and Carry Permit page details the overall process, but it basically summarizes as follows: 1) Review the MSP's training page and determine if you are exempt, which is the case if you are: - active duty, retired, or honorably discharged military service member, - a current or retired LEO, or - a qualified handgun instructor registered with the Maryland State Police. 2) If you are not exempt, find and take a Maryland-specific training course from an approved instructor (16 hours plus range qualification). Google is really helpful here, especially if you think you might also want to later apply for a carry permit in Virginia and/or DC, since some training companies offer a single class that also covers the training requirements for these jurisdictions as well. 3) Get your fingerprints taken at an approved location. This step will likely require non-residents to visit Maryland, unless you get lucky with an out-of-state training course whose instructor partners with a LiveScan service company. And again, Google is very helpful here. 4) Create a new account on the MSP Licensing Portal. 5) On that portal, create a new Wear & Carry (HGP) application, and complete it, being sure to upload the following as electronic files: - Proof of training exemption (e.g., DD-214) OR training completion (i.e., certificate from approved instructor), - Fingerprint transmission receipt from wherever you were fingerprinted, and - Color passport-style photo, which you can take yourself using your phone and one of the many passport photo apps available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Note: the application has several legacy sections from Maryland's pre-Bruen "may issue" days, including reason you want the permit, your employment history for the last five years, and info for three references. You should provide info, but keep it simple. You want the permit for "self defense". List your employment history, but don't feel compelled to provide supervisor name and phone number. Same for your references' employers. They aren't contacting these people. I did provide name and telephone for three references, but I did not provide their employer's name and phone number. 6) Submit the application and wait. You'll receive an acknowledgement via email within a week and final adjudication within a month or two. And after you receive your permit, be sure to periodically review the Where are Firearms Prohibited? guidance on the Maryland State Police website, since it has been updated in recent years and further changes in response to Bruen are likely. Or just drop subscribe to this HTF, because if those rules change, there will likely be a related thread here. |
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Originally Posted By Ambridge77: @scuba_steve My wife bought a gun at Dulles Expo yesterday. She also got an info card for picking up out-of-state CCW/CHP permits for MD & D.C. I laughed, but does she have a chance to get these elusive permission slips?  5 years ago, no way, but post-Bruen, absolutely. I picked up DC and Maryland earlier this year, after renewing VA.  Maryland's process is really straightforward, especially if you're exempt from training (see above). You do have to drive to Maryland to get fingerprinted, but everything else can be done online, on the MSP portal. DC requires you to drop off your paperwork in-person, at an appointment during which you will also be photographed and fingerprinted. I suggest making that appointment right now if you or your wife are interested in a DC permit, because they schedule them 4 to 5 months out. Thus, you'll have plenty of time to complete the required paperwork and training beforehand. I will warn you in advance however, you can only carry a pistol in DC that you have registered with the city. You can register as many as you like, but they claim they will only register one for you on the day you apply for the permit. They did two for me. With regard to training, I suggest looking for a company that offers a single 16-hour class that addresses both DC's and Maryland's training and shooting qualification requirements. There are quite a few approved instructors who offer these classes, including folks who hold them in Virginia. |
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Little over 2 years ago, I applied for and got my Wear and Carry Permit as a resident of PA. I used my NRA Basic Pistol course completion cert as a training exemption and it was accepted. Fast forward to this week and I am doing my 2 year renewal which also requires a training certificate. Sent a copy of my NRA Basic Pistol Instructor cert for a training exemption. In hindsight, maybe should have sent the Basic Pistol course paperwork. Regardless, they kicked it back for invalid training. An email response from the permit people basically said that instructor permit is no good and any out of state course paperwork is also no good. I had asked if the NRA course was no longer accepted and didn't really get an answer beyond I need to take a Maryland class. I see some legislation passed late in 2023 updating the training details. My question is, has the NRA Basic Pistol course actually been eliminated from being considered acceptable training for the Maryland permit? I see mixed information in my search for information. |
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Originally Posted By cmca: Little over 2 years ago, I applied for and got my Wear and Carry Permit as a resident of PA. I used my NRA Basic Pistol course completion cert as a training exemption and it was accepted. Fast forward to this week and I am doing my 2 year renewal which also requires a training certificate. Sent a copy of my NRA Basic Pistol Instructor cert for a training exemption. In hindsight, maybe should have sent the Basic Pistol course paperwork. Regardless, they kicked it back for invalid training. An email response from the permit people basically said that instructor permit is no good and any out of state course paperwork is also no good. I had asked if the NRA course was no longer accepted and didn't really get an answer beyond I need to take a Maryland class. I see some legislation passed late in 2023 updating the training details. My question is, has the NRA Basic Pistol course actually been eliminated from being considered acceptable training for the Maryland permit? I see mixed information in my search for information. Yes, the law changed on October 1, 2023 and they now have a narrower definition of what training is acceptable. The current training requirement requires the course to cover these specific topics: https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Documents/Firearms%20Training%20Course%20Instructional%20Material.pdf And to be taught by an MSP-approved handgun instructor: https://emdsp.mdsp.org/verification/ An NRA basic pistol course is no longer going to satisfy the requirement, but you should only need the 8 hour version since it's a renewal. |
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Originally Posted By cmca: Thank you. They're really trying to make it so aggravating that people don't bother. Especially out of state people by making an in person class mandatory. At least I don't have far to drive. Sorry to have not replied to this sooner and probably too late to help you, but for others: If you click on the 'verification' link in Scuba_Steve's post above, you can search MSP approved instructors by state. I just checked PA and 35 or more PA instructors came up. |