Gun laws suck, in general. Worst problem I see is restricted handgun manufacturers / models due to "safetly" laws and our 'approved' list, 'restricted' firearms like AK's and AR's are in their own (handgun-like) catagory, no 30 round mags through the mail, even though they're now dirt cheap and almost the only thing around for some guns. Class III is reasonable friendly - ask a specific question.
Cost of living is comparable to metro Virginia, high. Dunno how that compares to TX.
Laurel isn't too bad, was 'townish', getting pretty urban anymore, but has nice areas and some seedy spots too. Convenient to lots of things, half hour from DC, half hour from Baltimore, couple hours to the mountains, couple hours to the Ocean (hon). Long-ass way to TX.
Commuting from VA will drive you crazy, literally. I would think that from anyplace on the VA side is a 45 minute run, minimum, to Laurel, even with moderate traffic. How bad traffic is depends on what you're used to. If you live AND work in Laurel, not so bad, if you have to drive any distance during 'rush hour(s)', it can take way long.
"Worth pursueing?" I'll put it to you this way: Were I in Texas, Maryland would not occur to me in any way.
For a broader, perhaps less cynical perspective, look waay down the hometown forum here, or, search for "moving to MD" and similar phrases - these questions get asked a lot.