How Do I Get a Maryland Wear and Carry

Written By Erik Shilling

The process for obtaining a carry permit in Maryland is cumbersome and has many steps. In this article, we will explain step-by-step how to get your Maryland Wear and Carry permit, what that permit lets you do, and review the places where carry is prohibited. 

Who can get a Wear and Carry?

After the Supreme Court decision NEW YORK STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASSOCIATION, INC., ET AL. v. BRUEN, SUPERINTENDENT OF NEW YORK STATE POLICE, ET AL., typically referred to as  Bruen, Maryland went from a “May Issue” state - meaning that the State Police decide if you have a good enough reason to carry - to a “Shall Issue” state - meaning that if you meet the legal eligibility you will be given your permit. To meet this legal eligibility you must: 

  • Be at least 21 years old

  • Not a prohibited possessor of a firearm

  • Complete a Wear and Carry class taught by a certified handgun instructor 

For most folk, the first two requirements are fairly simple to hit. If you are unsure if you are a prohibited possessor of a firearm because you have been arrested in the past, don't apply for your license until you are sure of the answer, and then only if the answer is “no.” Determining if a particular arrest makes you a prohibited possessor is out of the scope of this article. 

The third requirement on the list is more complicated. You must find a certified handgun instructor and take their course. This is a course we offer, and you can find more details here. You can also view the Maryland State Police database of qualified instructors here.The class will consist of two portions, classroom instruction, and a practical shooting course. The classroom instruction covers safe handling, operation, and state law. The shooting portion ensures you can hit a target with 18 of 25 shots. 

I’m eligible and I’ve taken the class, what now?

You will need to submit your Handgun Permit application on the Maryland State Police website here. Before beginning the application, here's some details about the documents that will be required to submit. We recommend reviewing this whole section and gathering the documents before beginning the application  The documents required are: 

  • Livescan fingerprints and receipt

  • A passport style photo

  • Your signed live fire score sheet given to you by your instructor

  • Three references, including their contact information and addresses 

Livescan Fingerprints

Livescan gets its own section because it is time sensitive. Your livescan fingerprints expire, so once your fingerprinting is complete you will have three days to then complete and submit your Handgun Permit (Wear and Carry) application. We suggest waiting to do your fingerprints until the day you are ready to submit your fingerprints

There are lots of places that do livescan fingerprinting, so Google around your area to find the best place for you. When you do the fingerprinting they’ll ask what they are for, and you’ll fill out their information telling them it’s for Wear and Carry, sometimes the form will say Handgun Permit or HGP, these mean the same thing. You’ll have to pay them around 80 dollars for the prints. The actual fingerprinting is straightforward, they’ll press your fingers on a scanner. Once done, they’ll give you a receipt and a code. The Wear and Carry application will ask you to type in the code and upload a copy of the receipt. Remember, you only have a few days before your fingerprints expire, so fill out the application right away. 

Other Documents 

  • You will need a passport-style photo. This does not need to be done professionally, it just needs to follow the passport photo styling and rules including using a white background, no hats, glasses, or face coverings that are not religious headwear, and no smiling. You can take a selfie or have another person take the photo for you.  You don’t need to crop your photo before uploading, the website will crop and size the photo for you when you are submitting your application. 

  • You will need to upload a copy of your shooting score sheet.When you do the shooting portion of your class, your instructor will give you a document that says you completed and passed the class. Take a photo and upload it to the application. 

  • Your references need to be three non relatives who have known you for at least two years. The form will ask for their names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and employment information. As a note, the form doesn’t require legal names, this isn’t a background check on them, just you. If your reference goes by a different name than their legal name, you can put the name they go by on the form. 

Filling out the actual application. 

So it’s time to fill out the application. To actually get to the application log into the licensing portal, and click on HGP. That will take you to another site that will ask you several questions and allow you to upload your documents. The application still asks for a reason you are applying, click self-defense/personal protection. Later the application will ask you for supporting reasoning that you need the permit, this can be left blank, or you can type in personal protection. 

Once you’ve filled out the application and uploaded all of your documents, click submit and your application goes off for processing. The first stage is an initial review to make sure it’s filled out correctly. If there’s an issue, they send you an email asking you to correct it. If this happens, make your updates and resubmit. After the review it goes to an investigator.  The investigator completes the investigation, then approves your application, presuming of course you meet the legal criteria. About three months after submitting you’ll get your Wear and Carry card in the mail. 

I got my card, now what?

It’s about three months after you applied and you got your card in the mail, woohoo! But there’s a few things to keep in mind before you hit the town with your Glock ready to rock. The important thing is if your permit isn’t on you, you don’t have a permit. Any time you leave the house with your gun that card needs to be on you. That permit needs to be the top item in your daily carry kit. Carrying without your permit on you is far, far worse for you than driving without your license on you. Never ever forget it somewhere. 

Your permit lets you do a lot, but it does not let you carry in these locations and scenarios: 

Conclusion 

This whole process is subject to change as laws and policies change, so make sure to keep an ear to the ground about any policy changes in the state. As those policies change, we will keep ourselves and this article updated. If you have any questions, all of this is covered in detail in our Wear and Carry class. Good luck with your upcoming application, and stay safe. 

-Solidarity


Erik Shilling
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