EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW .
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0327*
SENATE BILL 327
E4 2lr0479
SB 27/21 – JPR
By: Senators Ready, Bailey, Carozza, Cassilly, Corderman, Eckardt, Edwards,
Gallion, Hershey, Hough, Jennings, Salling, Simonaire, and West
Introduced and read first time: January 20, 2022
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Public Safety – Permit to Carry, Wear, or Transport a Handgun – Qualifications 2
FOR the purpose of clarifying that personal protection or self–defense can qualify as a good 3
and substantial reason to carry, wear, or transport a handgun for purposes of the 4
issuance by the Secretary of State Police of a permit to carry, wear, or transport a 5
handgun; and generally relating to a permit to carry, wear, or transport a handgun. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7
Article – Public Safety 8
Section 5–301(a) and (c) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 11
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
Article – Public Safety 13
Section 5–306(a) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 16
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
Article – Public Safety 19
5–301. 20
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 21
(c) “Permit” means a permit issued by the Secretary to carry, wear, or transport 22
a handgun. 23 2 SENATE BILL 327
5–306. 1
(a) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a permit 2
within a reasonable time to a person who the Secretary finds: 3
(1) is an adult; 4
(2) (i) has not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor for which 5
a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year has been imposed; or 6
(ii) if convicted of a crime described in item (i) of this item, has been 7
pardoned or has been granted relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c); 8
(3) has not been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or 9
distribution of a controlled dangerous substance; 10
(4) is not presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled 11
dangerous substance unless the habitual use of the controlled dangerous substance is under 12
legitimate medical direction; 13
(5) except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, has successfully 14
completed prior to application and each renewal, a firearms training course approved by 15
the Secretary that includes: 16
(i) 1. for an initial application, a minimum of 16 hours of 17
instruction by a qualified handgun instructor; or 18
2. for a renewal application, 8 hours of instruction by a 19
qualified handgun instructor; 20
(ii) classroom instruction on: 21
1. State firearm law; 22
2. home firearm safety; and 23
3. handgun mechanisms and operation; and 24
(iii) a firearms qualification component that demonstrates the 25
applicant’s proficiency and use of the firearm; and 26
(6) based on an investigation: 27
(i) has not exhibited a propensity for violence or instability that may 28
reasonably render the person’s possession of a handgun a danger to the person or to 29
another; and 30 SENATE BILL 327 3
(ii) has good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a 1
handgun, such as PERSONAL PROTECTION , SELF–DEFENSE, OR a finding that the 2
permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger. 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 4
October 1, 2022. 5