Signed by Governor Wes Moore

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that prohibits open carry in the state and restricts places where firearms can be carried.

Highlights:

• Prohibits open carry of firearms in the state of Maryland and restricts places where firearms can be carried (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following places and professions from the aforementioned prohibitions, including (Sec. 1):

• Law enforcement officers;

• Members of the military;

• Correctional officers;

• Railroad police officers;

• Security guard;

• Employee of an armored car company;

• Firearms carried or transported for historical demonstrations, or hunting or shooting practice;

• Firearms carried or transported in a motor vehicle if it is in a locked container;

• Special purpose areas;

• Stadiums;

• Museums;

• Racetracks; or

• Video lottery facility

• Prohibits inidivduals from carrying or transporting a firearm in an area where children or vulnerable individuals are present (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits individuals from carrying or transporting a firearm in a governemnt or public infrastructure area (Sec. 1).

• Requries governement and public infrastructure areas have specified and conspicuous signs at the main entrances of the building specifying that carrying a firearm is not permissible (Sec. 1).

• Defines “government of public infrastructure area” as a building or any part of a building owneed or leased by a unit of state or local government, or a building of public or private institution of higher education, places being used as a polling place, or for canvassing or counting ballots (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that individuals found to have violated the provisions of this bill shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction a fine of $1,000 or one year prison term (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this bill shall take effect October 1, 2023 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits open carry in the state and restricts places where firearms can be carried.

Highlights:

• Prohibits open carry of firearms in the state of Maryland and restricts places where firearms can be carried (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following places and professions from the aforementioned prohibitions, including (Sec. 1):

• Law enforcement officers;

• Members of the military;

• Correctional officers;

• Railroad police officers;

• Security guard;

• Employee of an armored car company;

• Firearms carried or transported for historical demonstrations, or hunting or shooting practice;

• Firearms carried or transported in a motor vehicle if it is in a locked container;

• Special purpose areas;

• Stadiums;

• Museums;

• Racetracks; or

• Video lottery facility

• Prohibits inidivduals from carrying or transporting a firearm in an area where children or vulnerable individuals are present (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits individuals from carrying or transporting a firearm in a governemnt or public infrastructure area (Sec. 1).

• Requries governement and public infrastructure areas have specified and conspicuous signs at the main entrances of the building specifying that carrying a firearm is not permissible (Sec. 1).

• Defines “government of public infrastructure area” as a building or any part of a building owneed or leased by a unit of state or local government, or a building of public or private institution of higher education, places being used as a polling place, or for canvassing or counting ballots (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that individuals found to have violated the provisions of this bill shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction a fine of $1,000 or one year prison term (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this bill shall take effect October 1, 2023 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text