Should I wait to apply for CCW in Maryland?

If there's no age limit specified, go ahead and apply.

However, expect to be denied, no matter how old you are. Maryland is May-Issue, and the wording of the laws in regards to permit issuance are pretty ambiguous, which means that the powers-that-be at the MSP aren't going to hand out permits to any of us little folk if they don't have to.

Basically, you're going to be told no no matter how old you are, or how much danger you're in.

Welcome to Maryland.

If you're interested in fighting it, I suggest you contact the folks over at marylandshallissue.org and talk to them about what you can do about it. They're good folk, and have been working very hard to get our laws changed to something more reasonable.

save your money and time DONT apply
the fee is non refundable and you will be denied

Ok so it's the folks at MSP that actually issue?

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Yup.

Also I've been a victim of two violent crimes in Prince George's County and heard that was often a reason good enough for issuance.

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It's not. I'm not saying that to be mean, but in their eyes, it's not going to be enough.

To put it plainly, getting a CCW permit in Maryland is like finding snow in hell. It's just not going to happen.

If you want an idea of how hard it is for a regular citizen (someone who's not a politician, a businessperson transporting large amount of cash, or a current or former LEO) to get a permit, check out http://www.progunprogressive.com. Sebastian has been working alongside the Baltimore PD for years cleaning up his neighborhood and taking it back from the dop dealers, and he just recently (after a HUGE fight) to get a carry permit.

It's not as easy as having a history of prior violence against you. Sad, but right now it's what we have to deal with.

**EDITED TO ADD**

To be clear, I'm not trying to dissuade you from applying - that's not the case at all. I think more people -should- apply. If they did, the MSP would have to start explaining to a lot of people why they don't think the right to effective self-defense applies to them. Maybe then things would start to change.

I'm just trying to show you how much nonsense you're going to have to deal with in order to get what you want - if you even get it at all.

i personally would be somewhat reluctant to apply knowing that the odds would be stacked against me because i am (and would be) required to disclose CCW application denials on every forthcoming CCW renewal (in other states).

I personally would be somewhat reluctant to apply knowing that the odds would be stacked against me because I am (and would be) required to disclose CCW application denials on every forthcoming CCW renewal (in other states).

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I've heard that before, but nobody's ever been able to prove that that is a necessity when applying for permits elsewhere. If you could provide cites of such, I'd appreciate it for my own knowledge.

In the meantime, let's assume that you are required to disclose any previous applications in other states - I fail to see how a denial would affect you negatively in the future, if it had nothing to do with your criminal history.

Now, if you applied for a MD CCW permit and were denied because of something like a domestic abuse charge or some other type of felony, I can see that being a barrier to an application in another state - and rightly so. But an denial based on an arbitrary judgement of "need"? Nope. Any other state isn't going to care, since it has nothing to do with you being legally disallowed from carrying, and everything to do with MD's arbitrary permitting system.

What are planning on legally carrying? Unless it is a long gun, you're out of luck since you need to be 21 to purchase a pistol. Or you have parents with very deep pockets who are willing to assume the liability of you carrying their handgun.

Read about Sebastian at progunprogressive.com. It is a long trudge even when events and circumstances should favor you.

I agree with kingpin008. By all means apply. You might be one of the lucky ones. As for me, I would rather play the lottery. I believe that the odds are better that I might win.

When you do turn 21, the age seems like no big deal anymore.

And when you do, I would apply for non-resident permits from states like Utah and Florida, whose non-res permits are honored in 34 states, last I checked. You may be ood-scray in MD, that doesn't mean you never go anywhere else.

I would also very much agree with the above in being active to push your leaders to look at the state's gun laws realistically.

I've been a victim of two violent crimes... and heard that was often a reason good enough for issuance.
__________________
Proud to be an American!

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Quite the dichotomy there.

I've been a resident of Maryland for most of my life. I've never seen anyone I know have any luck getting a permit.

May as well buy lotto tickets with the fee. You'll have better luck, maybe.

If you are on the verge of becoming a Maryland State trooper then you don't need a concealed carry permit. Your police credentials will allow you to carry in every state in the U.S.A.

Well, you have two choices:

1) You can apply now and be denied and be out the application fee

2) You can wait until you are 21, be denied and be out the application fee

Bottom line, unless you are "connected", or -maybe- if you walk around with wads of cash on a daily basis, you are going to be denied. Can't take a chance on you doing some harm to the criminals out there just trying to make a living.

Maryland is one of the most 2nd amendment unfriendly states in the nation. (one of the reasons I moved to SC).

natecade1 said:

I am currently 20 years old and was reading the maryland gun laws and it does not say you have to be 21.

I was wondering if it would be prudent however to wait a few more months before applying for one?

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If you are in the hiring process with the State Police, I would strongly suggest that you NOT apply for a CCW in Maryland. Such an application in an anti-gun state like MD might actually decrease you chances of being hired. They might, after all, decide that you are only interested in being a trooper so you can carry a gun.

I thought that the LEO Safety Act just said other states have to recognize the LEO's home state permit. So I would still have to get a permit to if I wanted to drive up to my friends in NY and keep a handgun with me.

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Not true at all, so long as you meet the statutory requirements (which you would as a MSP Trooper), you do not need a home state permit, just your badge and ID (and IIRC, only the ID is required by LEOSA, not the badge).

Under the LEO Safety Act, if you are a qualified LEO you are exempt from all state concealed carry laws. All you need is your department issued photo ID.
http://www.leaa.org/218/218text.html

Should I wait to apply for CCW in Maryland?

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Nope. Use that money to move to a more RKBA friendly state.

Nope. Use that money to move to a more RKBA friendly state.

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Right. Because running away from a problem is always the best way to handle things.

No, let's not invest some time and money into pro-RKBA groups in the states where the fight is the most urgent. Let's all just pick up and run with our tails between our legs to somewhere that doesn't show us any opposition. After all, those pesky anti-gunners won't follow us, nope...

Think it not as running away from the problem as it is "voting with your feet" and running towards the solution.

No matter what you or I think or do, Maryland will -still- be an anti 2nd amendment state long after we are dead and gone.

kingpin008 said:

Right. Because running away from a problem is always the best way to handle things.

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Maryland State Police require you to have a reason for being issued a permit. Mine was issued because I carried deposits to the bank daily. The permit had the restrictions right there, which basically stated I could CC to work, at work and back home. Find a reason they will accept and you will get one for that reason. FWIW, I was issued my first permit when I was 22 years old ('70s), so it is possible for a young guy to get one.

Have a reason, Personal safety is not a reason unless you are a Maryland personality or lawyer. Wait until you are 21 and can own a handgun.

I immigrated to Virginia several years ago and now enjoy the Constitution much more.

Think it not as running away from the problem as it is "voting with your feet" and running towards the solution.

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But it is running away. Maryland may not be a great place 2A wise, but we've got a hell of a lot of good people fighting to keep it from getting worse. Leaving doesn't help us, it hurts us. Which, in case you didn't realize, hurts all of us. What gets passed here, and in other states where gun rights are on the ropes, gets proposed nationally.

And how long do you think escaping to a more friendly state will be a "solution"? As I said, the anti's don't just want Maryland. They want the entire US to be rid of guns. You can't run forever. At some point, you're going to have to man up and fight back. Might as well do it sooner than later.

Think it not as running away from the problem as it is "voting with your feet" and running towards the solution.

No matter what you or I think or do, Maryland will -still- be an anti 2nd amendment state long after we are dead and gone.

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Well, if we all had that sort of attitude ("why even bother trying, it'll never change!") you might be right. Fortunately, there are quite a few of us who actually believe that we can do something about the way things are, and take action to make it happen. Maybe one day you'll see fit to lend a hand too.

You won't get a CC permit in MD, sorry. Unless you're in a high-risk profession or know the elite.