42 total bills, 13 anti-gun bills,
6 pro-gun bills for this session
Proposed Maryland Firearm Legislation
42 total bills, 13 anti-gun bills,
6 pro-gun bills for this session
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Filter: Click on bill number for details. jump to upper chamber
note: Maryland does not carry over legislation from session to session
Title: Criminal Procedure - Warrantless Arrest - Straw Purchase Participant
Description: Adding the crime of knowingly being a participant in a straw purchase of a regulated firearm to the list of crimes subject to warrantless arrest; and providing a penalty on conviction of imprisonment not to exceed 10 years or a fine of up to $25,000 or both.
Last Action: Hearing 1/23 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: January 10, 2024
Title: Crimes – Firearms – Penalties and Procedures (Violent Firearms Offender Act of 2024)
Description: Establishing, altering, and clarifying penalties for and elements of certain firearm-related crimes; prohibiting a District Court commissioner from authorizing the pretrial release of a certain defendant charged with a certain firearm-related crime under certain circumstances; etc.
Last Action: Withdrawn by Sponsor
Last Action Date: March 4, 2024
Title: Firearms - Right to Purchase, Own, Possess, and Carry
Description: Providing that a person may not be denied the right to purchase, own, possess, or carry a firearm solely on the basis that the person is authorized to use medical cannabis.
Last Action: Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 13, 2024
Title: Gun Theft Felony Act of 2024
Description: Classifying the theft of a firearm as a felony; and establishing a penalty for theft of a firearm of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 for a first offense, and imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $2,500 for a second or subsequent offense.
Last Action: Hearing 1/31 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: January 16, 2024
Title: Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Expiration and Renewal Periods for Retired Law Enforcement Officer
Description: Establishing alternative expiration and renewal periods for a handgun permit issued to a certain retired law enforcement officer.
Last Action: Hearing 2/07 at 2:30 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 5, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - Controlled Dangerous Substances and Firearms
Description: Authorizing a person who is at least 21 years age to manufacture a personal use amount of cannabis products or concentrated cannabis for personal use or adult sharing at a private residence if the manufacturing process does not involve the use of a volatile solvent; specifying that manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing certain large quantities of certain controlled dangerous substances is a felony; altering the penalties for being a volume dealer and drug kingpin with regard to cannabis; etc.
Last Action: Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Carter) Adopted
Last Action Date: April 8, 2024
Title: Firearms - Liability Insurance - Public Wearing and Carrying
Description: Altering the circumstances under which a person is disqualified from possessing a regulated firearm, a rifle, and a shotgun; prohibiting a person from wearing or carrying a firearm under certain circumstances unless the person has obtained certain liability insurance related to wearing and carrying a firearm up to $300,000; providing for the form and issuance of a citation for a violation of the Act; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/28 at 1:00 p.m. (Judiciary)
Last Action Date: February 13, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - First-Degree Assault - Assault With a Firearm
Description: Adding a certain intent requirement to the elements of the crime of first degree assault, with regard to committing an assault with a firearm.
Last Action: Withdrawn by Sponsor
Last Action Date: March 4, 2024
Title: Handgun Permits - Accidental Discharge and Training Requirements - Maryland State Police Gun Center (Firearm Safety Act of 2024)
Description: Requiring a person who holds a handgun permit and accidentally discharges a firearm to register within 90 days for a certain firearms safety training course and complete the course within 6 months of the incident; requiring the Secretary of State Police to revoke a handgun permit of a certain person who fails to successfully complete a certain firearms safety training course; requiring the Secretary to provide certain written notice to a person whose handgun permit is revoked; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/21 at 1:30 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 21, 2024
Title: Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention - Establishment
Description: Establishing the Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention in the Maryland Department of Health to reduce firearm violence, harm from firearm violence, and misuse of firearms in the State by partnering with federal, State, and local agencies and affected communities to implement a public health approach to firearm violence reduction; requiring the Center to submit to the Governor and the General Assembly by May 1, 2025, a preliminary State Plan for a Public Health Approach to Reducing Firearm Violence; etc.
Last Action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 706
Last Action Date: May 16, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - Theft of a Handgun
Description: Establishing the felony of theft of a handgun; and establishing a penalty for theft of a handgun of, for a first conviction, imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to $1,000 or both and, for a second or subsequent conviction, imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to $2,500 or both.
Last Action: Hearing 2/14 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: January 30, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - Prohibitions on Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a Handgun - Penalties
Description: Establishing a certain intent element for wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun in certain prohibited places; repealing a certain rebuttable presumption that a person transporting a handgun under certain circumstances transports the handgun knowingly; and altering certain penalty provisions related to wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun in certain prohibited places.
Last Action: Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 10, 2024
Title: Handgun Qualification Licenses - Personally Identifying Information - Deletion and Destruction
Description: Requiring the Secretary of State Police to permanently delete or destroy certain personally identifying information relating to handgun qualification licenses under certain circumstances.
Last Action: Hearing 2/21 at 1:30 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 21, 2024
Title: Regulated Firearms - Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Process
Description: Requiring the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Registry in which a person may voluntarily enroll for the purpose of being prohibited from obtaining a regulated firearm by December 31, 2024; prohibiting a dealer or other person from selling, renting, loaning, or transferring a regulated firearm to a purchaser, lessee, borrower, or transferee who the dealer or other person knows or has reason to believe is registered on the registry; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/21 at 1:30 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 21, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - Rapid-Fire Activator - Switch/Auto-Sear
Description: Altering the term "rapid fire trigger activator" to be "rapid fire activator"; adding "switch/auto-sear" to the definition of "rapid fire activator" for purposes of certain prohibitions on rapid fire activators; and prohibiting a person from transporting a rapid fire activator into the State or manufacturing, possessing, selling, offering for sale, transferring, purchasing, or receiving a rapid fire activator with a certain exception.
Last Action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 713
Last Action Date: May 16, 2024
Title: Public Safety – Firearm Background Checks, Victim Notification, and the Maryland State Police Gun Center
Description: Requiring a law enforcement agency that receives a certain report of a prohibited person failing a background check to notify certain victims; requiring the Secretary of State Police to notify the Maryland State Police Gun Center of certain information if the Secretary disapproves a firearm application because a prospective purchaser, lessee, or transferee failed a background check; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/21 at 1:30 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 21, 2024
Title: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act
Description: Imposing an excise tax on certain gross receipts of certain firearms dealers derived from the sales of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition in the State; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/22 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 2, 2024
Title: Civil Actions - Public Nuisances - Firearm Industry Members (Gun Industry Accountability Act of 2024)
Description: Prohibiting firearm industry members from knowingly creating, maintaining, or contributing to a public nuisance through the sale, manufacture, distribution, importation, or marketing of a firearm-related product under certain circumstances; requiring a firearm industry member to establish and implement certain reasonable controls regarding the sale, manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, possession, and use of certain firearm-related products; authorizing certain civil actions for violations of the Act; etc.
Last Action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 714
Last Action Date: May 16, 2024
Title: Handguns - Wear, Carry, and Transport Laws - Handbook Publication
Description: Requiring the Secretary of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to annually publish, beginning on October 1, 2024, a handbook summarizing State laws that apply to the wearing, carrying, and transporting of a handgun in public; requiring the Secretary to draft the handbook in plain language that can be easily understood without any special knowledge of the laws of the State; and requiring the Secretary to make copies of the handbook available to members of the public in a certain manner.
Last Action: Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 10, 2024
Title: Handgun Permit Holders - Authority to Carry Handguns in State Parks and Forests
Description: Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from prohibiting an individual to whom a handgun permit has been issued from wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun in a State park or forest.
Last Action: Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 10, 2024
Title: Public Safety - Extreme Risk Protective Orders - Review of Court Records
Description: Authorizing researchers affiliated with institutions of higher education who are conducting academic or policy research to review a court record related to a petition for an extreme risk protective order.
Last Action: Referred Judicial Proceedings
Last Action Date: March 18, 2024
Title: Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting Firearms – Business Sign Posting Requirements
Description: Requiring a business that does not want firearms on the business's property to post a clear and conspicuous sign at the main or any secondary entrance of the business at least 24 inches from the edge of the entryway and 4 feet off the ground.
Last Action: Withdrawn by Sponsor
Last Action Date: March 4, 2024
Title: Frederick and Washington Counties - Bow Hunting - Openly Carrying Handguns
Description: Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from prohibiting certain licensed bow hunters from openly carrying a handgun under certain circumstances in Frederick County and Washington County during deer hunting season.
Last Action: Hearing 3/20 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: March 17, 2024
Title: Department of Juvenile Services - Firearm Offenses - Reporting
Description: Requiring the Department of Juvenile Services to report to the General Assembly, by January 1 each year, on the number of assessments completed during the intake process involving children who commit firearm offenses.
Last Action: Hearing 2/13 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: January 15, 2024
Title: Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Expiration and Renewal Periods for Retired Law Enforcement Officer
Description: Establishing alternative expiration and renewal periods for a handgun permit issued to a retired law enforcement officer who retired in good standing.
Last Action: Hearing 1/24 at 2:30 p.m.
Last Action Date: January 15, 2024
Title: Maryland Center for School Safety - Firearm Detection Platforms - Evaluation (Maryland Firearm Detection Platform Act)
Description: Requiring the Maryland Center for School Safety, in collaboration with in collaboration with public safety agencies, the State Department of Education, local school systems, the University System of Maryland, and other public institutions of higher education in the State, to conduct an evaluation of firearm detection platforms; and authorizing funds from the Safe Schools Fund to be used to assist local school systems in the procurement and maintenance of firearm detection platforms.
Last Action: Hearing 1/24 at 2:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment)
Last Action Date: January 17, 2024
Title: Regulated Firearms - Maryland Judiciary - Reporting Requirements
Description: Repealing and altering a reporting requirement to require the Maryland Judiciary, instead of the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before October 1 each year on the number of charges, convictions, and sentences for certain regulated firearm violations, disaggregated by jurisdiction, race, and gender.
Last Action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 742
Last Action Date: May 16, 2024
Title: Handgun Permits - Accidental Discharge and Training Requirements - Maryland State Police Gun Center (Firearm Safety Act of 2024)
Description: Requiring a person who holds a handgun permit and accidentally discharges a firearm to register within 90 days for a certain firearms safety training course and complete the course within 6 months of the incident; requiring the Secretary of State Police to revoke a handgun permit of a certain person who fails to successfully complete a certain firearms safety training course; requiring the Secretary to provide certain written notice to a person whose handgun permit is revoked; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/02 at 10:30 a.m.
Last Action Date: January 30, 2024
Title: Firearms - Right to Purchase, Own, Possess, and Carry
Description: Providing that a person may not be denied the right to purchase, own, possess, or carry a firearm solely on the basis that the person is authorized to use medical cannabis.
Last Action: Referred Judiciary
Last Action Date: February 21, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - First-Degree Assault - Assault With a Firearm
Description: Adding a certain intent requirement to the elements of the crime of first degree assault, with regard to committing an assault with a firearm.
Last Action: Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 1, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - Theft of a Handgun
Description: Establishing the felony of theft of a handgun; and establishing a penalty for theft of a handgun of, for a first conviction, imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to $1,000 or both and, for a second or subsequent conviction, imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to $2,500 or both.
Last Action: Hearing 2/01 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: January 25, 2024
Title: Criminal Law - Firearms - Exception to Trespass Prohibition
Description: Establishing an exemption for a certain person who enters or trespasses on real property while wearing, carrying, or transporting a firearm under certain circumstances.
Last Action: Referred Rules and Executive Nominations
Last Action Date: April 2, 2024
Title: Civil Actions - Public Nuisances - Firearm Industry Members (Gun Industry Accountability Act of 2024)
Description: Prohibiting firearm industry members from knowingly creating, maintaining, or contributing to harm to the public through the sale, manufacture, distribution, importation, or marketing of a firearm-related product under certain circumstances; requiring a firearm industry member to establish and implement certain reasonable controls regarding the sale, manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, possession, or use of certain firearm-related products; authorizing certain civil actions for violations of the Act; etc.
Last Action: Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Last Action Date: April 4, 2024
Title: Handguns - Wear, Carry, and Transport Laws - Handbook Publication
Description: Requiring the Secretary of State Police to annually publish, beginning October 1, 2024, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, a handbook summarizing the State laws relating to wearing, carrying, and transporting a handgun in public; requiring the Secretary to make copies of the handbook available to members of the public in print and electronic form; and requiring the Secretary to notify by e-mail each person who currently holds a handgun permit each time the Secretary publishes an updated version of the handbook.
Last Action: Referred Judiciary
Last Action Date: March 1, 2024
Title: Frederick and Washington Counties – Bow Hunting – Openly Carrying Handguns
Description: Prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from prohibiting certain licensed bow hunters from openly carrying a handgun under certain circumstances in Frederick County and Washington County during deer hunting season.
Last Action: Hearing 2/13 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: January 29, 2024
Title: Regulated Firearms - Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Process
Description: Requiring the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a Maryland Voluntary Do Not Sell Firearm Registry in which a person may voluntarily enroll for the purpose of being prohibited from obtaining a regulated firearm by December 31, 2024; prohibiting a dealer or other person from selling, renting, loaning, or transferring a regulated firearm to a purchaser, lessee, borrower, or transferee who the dealer or other person knows or has reason to believe is registered on the registry; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 1, 2024
Title: Public Safety - Firearm Background Checks, Victim Notification, and the Maryland State Police Gun Center
Description: Requiring a law enforcement agency that receives a report of a prohibited person failing a background check to immediately notify certain victims; requiring the Secretary of State Police to notify the Maryland State Police Gun Center of certain information if the Secretary disapproves a firearm application because a prospective purchaser, lessee, or transferee failed a background check; etc.
Last Action: Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 1, 2024
Title: Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act
Description: Altering the sales and use tax rate imposed on firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition from 6% to 11%; and providing that the sales and use tax does not apply to the sale of certain firearm accessories and ammunition.
Last Action: Hearing 3/28 at 12:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: March 28, 2024
Title: Public Schools - School Resource Officers - Firearms Required
Description: Requiring a Baltimore City school police officer and a school resource officer to carry a firearm while present on the premises of the school to which the officer is assigned.
Last Action: Hearing 2/28 at 1:00 p.m.
Last Action Date: February 8, 2024
Title: Public Safety – Extreme Risk Protective Orders – Review of Court Records
Description: Authorizing researchers affiliated with institutions of higher education who are conducting research to review a court record related to a petition for an extreme risk protective order; requiring the Maryland Judiciary to require an institution of higher education that has researchers reviewing court records to enter into an agreement providing for the storage and handling of the records; authorizing the Judiciary to institute an injunction or other remedy for a violation of the agreement and to prevent disclosure of certain records; etc.
Last Action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 929
Last Action Date: May 16, 2024
Title: Public Safety - Firearm Safety and Firearm Crimes
Description: Exempting an employee of the Department of Natural Resources in the course of performing official duties from certain prohibitions against knowingly wearing, carrying, or transporting a firearm in certain locations; requiring a person or entity operating a gun buyback program to destroy a firearm, including all components and parts attached to the firearm, that is surrendered at a certain gun buyback program; classifying the theft of a firearm or the trafficking of a regulated firearm as a felony; etc.
Last Action: Motion Special Order until Later This Session (Delegate Clippinger) Adopted
Last Action Date: April 8, 2024
Title: Annual Corrective Bill
Description: Correcting certain errors or omissions in certain articles of the Annotated Code; clarifying language; correcting certain obsolete references; reorganizing certain sections of the Annotated Code; providing that this Act is not intended to affect any law other than to correct technical errors; and providing for the correction of certain errors and obsolete provisions by the publishers of the Annotated Code.
Last Action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 382
Last Action Date: April 25, 2024
