Open carrying a handgun is different than carrying it in a concealed fashion because it is readily apparent to anyone near you that you have the firearm. In many states, it is legal to do this, and you don’t even need to have a license. In fact, some recent reports have claimed that you can open carry without a license in half of the country.
But what about Maryland? Are you allowed to carry a gun in the open without a license, or do you need some documentation to be allowed to do so?
Maryland requires a license for both
Maryland is different than these other states, in that it requires you to have a license for both concealed carry and for open carry. Doing so without the proper license is illegal, even if you did not use that gun for any purpose, such as threatening or harming someone. You still have to get the license first, and only then can you carry it.
How many people have permits?
Out of the 6 million people who live in Maryland, it has been reported that 24,000 permits have been issued. This may sound like a lot, but it is less than half a percent of the total population. Maryland does not honor permits from other states, although 26 other states will reciprocate and honor a license handed out in Maryland.
Are you facing charges?
You may find yourself facing charges if you carry a gun in an illegal fashion, which may simply mean not having a permit. This is a mistake that could happen if you’re from a different state and you’ve never before needed to have a permit in your life. Since these types of charges can have such a major impact, it’s important for you to know about all of your defense options.