Md. Code, Pub. Safety § 5-306 : PUBLIC SAFETY — FIREARMS — HANDGUN PERMITS —306 - Qualifications for permit TEXT PDF (a) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a permit within a reasonable time to a person who the Secretary finds: (1) is an adult; (2) (i) has not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year has been imposed; or (ii) if convicted of a crime described in item (i) of this item, has been pardoned or has been granted relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c); (3) has not been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance; (4) is not presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance unless the habitual use of the controlled dangerous substance is under legitimate medical direction; (5) except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, has successfully completed prior to application and each renewal, a firearms training course approved by the Secretary that includes: (i) 1. for an initial application, a minimum of 16 hours of instruction by a qualified handgun instructor; or 2. for a renewal application, 8 hours of instruction by a qualified handgun instructor; (ii) classroom instruction on: 1. State firearm law; 2. home firearm safety; and 3. handgun mechanisms and operation; and (iii) a firearms qualification component that demonstrates the applicant's proficiency and use of the firearm; and (6) based on an investigation: (i) has not exhibited a propensity for violence or instability that may reasonably render the person's possession of a handgun a danger to the person or to another; and (ii) has good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, such as a finding that the permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger. (b) An applicant for a permit is not required to complete a certified firearms training course under subsection (a) of this section if the applicant: (1) is a law enforcement officer or a person who is retired in good standing from service with a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State, or any local law enforcement agency in the State; (2) is a member, retired member, or honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard; (3) is a qualified handgun instructor; or (4) has completed a firearms training course approved by the Secretary. (c) An applicant under the age of 30 years is qualified only if the Secretary finds that the applicant has not been: (1) committed to a detention, training, or correctional institution for juveniles for longer than 1 year after an adjudication of delinquency by a juvenile court; or (2) adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for: (i) an act that would be a crime of violence if committed by an adult; (ii) an act that would be a felony in this State if committed by an adult; or (iii) an act that would be a misdemeanor in this State that carries a statutory penalty of more than 2 years if committed by an adult. (d) The Secretary may issue a handgun qualification license, without an additional application or fee, to a person who: (1) meets the requirements for issuance of a permit under this section; and (2) does not have a handgun qualification license issued under § 5-117.1 of this title. Md. Code, PS § 5-306 Amended by 2013 Md. Laws, Ch. 427,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2013.