EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0611*
SENATE BILL 611
M2 4lr2150
By: Senators Folden, Bailey, McKay, and Salling
Introduced and read first time: January 26, 2024
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Frederick and Washington Counties – Bow Hunting – Openly Carrying 2
Handguns 3
FOR the purpose of prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources from prohibiting 4
certain licensed bow hunters from openly carrying a handgun under certain 5
circumstances in Frederick County and Washington County during deer hunting 6
season; and generally relating to bow hunting in Frederick County and Washington 7
County. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Natural Resources 10
Section 10–408 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 13
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 14
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 15
Article – Natural Resources 16
10–408. 17
(a) In this section, “handgun” means a firearm: 18
(1) With a barrel length not exceeding 6 inches; and 19
(2) That does not have a scope or an electronic device attached. 20
(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department 21
shall: 22
2 SENATE BILL 611
(i) Prescribe by regulation the means or weapons for hunting 1
designated wildlife; and 2
(ii) Set forth any restrictions relating to weapons used to hunt 3
designated wildlife, including the amount and size of ammunition for designated game 4
birds or mammals. 5
(2) The Department may not prohibit a licensed bow hunter from openly 6
carrying a handgun that the hunter is otherwise authorized to carry under § 4–203 of the 7
Criminal Law Article if the bow hunter: 8
(i) Is at least 21 years old; 9
(ii) Is hunting in [deer]: 10
1. DEER management Region A as defined by the 11
Department’s Guide to Hunting and Trapping; OR 12
2. FREDERICK COUNTY OR WASHINGTON COUNTY 13
DURING DEER HUNTING SEASON; 14
(iii) Is carrying the handgun for personal protection; and 15
(iv) Does not use the handgun to kill wildlife wounded by a vertical 16
bow or crossbow. 17
(c) The Department shall make the regulations available for distribution with 18
each hunting license purchased. 19
(d) This section does not authorize the Department to restrict the use of firearms 20
except in the activity of hunting designated wildlife. 21
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 22
1, 2024. 23