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Courses  /  Maryland Wear & Carry Permit

MSP Approved · Civilians · Armed Professionals

Maryland Wear & Carry Permit

Maryland requires every new Wear & Carry Permit applicant to complete a 16-hour firearms safety course with a Qualified Handgun Instructor, and every renewal applicant to complete 8 hours. This is that course — taught by a retired police supervisor who trained officers to carry for a living.

Length16 hours initial · 8 hours renewal
Who it's forAdults applying for or renewing a Maryland Wear & Carry Permit
You leave withSigned MSP 29-14 Certified Qualification Score Sheet
FormatClassroom + live-fire range qualification

What the course covers

The classroom portion covers Maryland firearms law, including where you may and may not carry, transport and storage rules, and how Maryland law treats the use of force and deadly force in self-defense. It also covers handgun mechanics and safe operation, safe home storage, and carrying responsibly in public.

Because the real goal is to never have to draw, the course places weight on situational awareness, avoidance, and verbal de-escalation — taught by a former Crisis Negotiation Team Commander, not just a range instructor.

The day closes with the live-fire qualification shot to the Maryland State Police standard. On a passing score you receive your signed MSP 29-14 Certified Qualification Score Sheet to upload with your application.

Renewing your permit

Renewal applicants take the 8-hour course, which refreshes the law, judgment, and safety content and ends with the same live-fire qualification and a new MSP 29-14.

What you'll be able to do

  • Explain where Maryland law allows and prohibits carrying a handgun
  • Describe the legal standards for using force and deadly force in Maryland
  • Safely load, unload, carry, store, and transport a handgun
  • Use awareness, avoidance, and de-escalation to stay out of a confrontation
  • Pass the MSP live-fire qualification and leave with your score sheet
Bring your own handgun, holster, eye and ear protection, and ammunition; contact us if you need help with equipment. Firearms are available to rent. Applicants submit their permit application to the Maryland State Police through the MSP Licensing Portal after the course.

Your instructor

Gregory Sampson retired as a 1st Sergeant with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police after twenty years of sworn service, including command of the agency's Training Unit and Crisis Negotiation Team. He is a Marine Corps veteran and an NRA Law Enforcement Instructor, and holds more than fifteen instructor certifications. Full background →

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