Maryland has fairly strict gun laws, but if you own one and have a permit, you already know that. Without your permit, you could face a handgun violation for having it in the trunk of your car, let alone on your person.
Even so, having a permit isn’t an all access pass. You could still end up facing a handgun offense if you take your weapon to the wrong places.
Where you can’t carry even with a permit
You took the time to comply with the law and obtain your permit. You may have believed that meant you could carry your weapon anywhere you go, but you were misled. There are numerous places you cannot carry your gun, including the following:
- Any place while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Community adult rehabilitation centers
- Child care centers, unless it is a small center located in a residence
- Public schools
- State parks
- State highway rest areas — no displaying or discharging
- Chesapeake Forest lands
- State and national forests
- Lodging establishments where the innkeeper has notified you in writing or verbally that the establishment will not provide further lodging
- Dredge boats
- Commercial aircraft
- Demonstration at a public place
- In a vehicle within 1,000 feet of a demonstration
- If prohibited by a local municipality, within 100 yards of or in a public building, church, park, school or other place of public assembly
- In or around state-owned public grounds and buildings
- Any building or grounds where an employee, officer or member of the General Assembly has an official office or any Joint Hearing Room
- Any building where the House or Senate has a chamber
You may also not carry your weapon anywhere regulations, state law or federal law prohibits you from doing so. Of course, you could probably have guessed the majority of these locations would frown upon you carrying your weapon there, but that doesn’t mean you won’t make a mistake. You may forget the location is on the prohibited list or forget you have your weapon on you.
If police happen to stop you and find you with your gun in the wrong place, you could face charges. The penalties associated with such a charge are severe here in Maryland, and you need to protect your rights and your future as soon as possible.
