STATE
MARYLAND GUN LAWS
Maryland has enacted strong gun safety laws, though some of this lifesaving progress is undermined by guns trafficked in from states with weaker laws.
Scorecard Grade
In 2024, Maryland had the 13th lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 797 people die from gun violence in the state. That means that someone dies from gun violence every 11 hours. Thirty-six percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 63% are gun homicides. In Maryland, the rate of gun deaths decreased 3% from 2015 to 2024, while the gun death rate rose 15% nationwide over this same time period.
EXPLORE MARYLAND’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What Maryland Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Handgun permit to purchase
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Strong concealed carry law
- Certain open carry regulations
- Child access prevention laws
- Ghost gun regulations
- Location restrictions
- Some investments in community violence intervention
- Gun industry accountability law
What Maryland Is Missing
- Gaps in domestic violence laws
- Strong firearm relinquishment laws
- Licensing for long guns
- Victims’ private right of action against the gun industry
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?