Maryland gun laws will change on October 1, 2026, bringing new duties for firearms dealers and gun buyback programs. Retired law enforcement officers will also receive longer handgun permit periods, as Baltimore Chronicle reports. The measures were approved during Maryland’s 2026 legislative session, according to the Maryland General Assembly.
Firearms dealers face a 24-hour reporting deadline
Licensed dealers must report certain security incidents to the Secretary of State Police within 24 hours.
The requirement covers burglaries, attempted burglaries, robberies and thefts involving firearms or ammunition. Dealers must also report failures affecting required security systems.
Those systems include video surveillance, burglary alarms and protections against unauthorized entry.
Under Senate Bill 160, penalties can reach $250 for a first violation. Later violations can bring penalties of up to $1,000. A knowing and willful violation can also threaten a dealer’s license.
The practical changes are straightforward:
- qualifying thefts and burglaries must be reported within 24 hours;
- compromised surveillance or alarm systems can trigger reporting;
- repeated violations carry higher civil penalties.
For gun stores, the law effectively makes security reporting part of daily compliance rather than an internal business matter.
Gun buyback firearms must be destroyed
A second change affects qualifying Maryland gun buyback programs.
Under Senate Bill 775, firearms surrendered through these programs generally must be destroyed. Attached components and parts are covered as well.
Before destruction, law enforcement must make reasonable efforts to determine whether a weapon was stolen or connected to a crime.
| Change | Effective date | Main effect |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer reporting | October 1, 2026 | 24-hour notification requirement |
| Gun buybacks | October 1, 2026 | Surrendered firearms generally destroyed |
| Retired officer permits | October 1, 2026 | 5-year permit periods |
| Convertible pistols | January 1, 2027 | New restrictions begin |
The October measures do not create one broad ban on firearm ownership. They target dealer compliance, gun buybacks and permit administration.
Retired officers receive 5-year handgun permits
Maryland is also extending permit periods for qualifying retired law enforcement officers.
Under House Bill 94, permits for officers who retired in good standing expire during the holder’s birth month after 5 years. Successive 5-year renewals are available if eligibility requirements remain satisfied.
The rule applies to qualifying retirees from Maryland state, county or municipal law enforcement agencies.
A broader pistol restriction arrives in January 2027
The most disputed change comes later.
Beginning January 1, 2027, Maryland will restrict the manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt and transfer of certain firearms defined as machine gun convertible pistols. The legislation contains specified exceptions.
Senate Bill 334 directs State Police to implement the measure and allows publication of a prohibited-firearms list.
That delayed effective date matters. Maryland residents and dealers face several new requirements on October 1, but the central SB 334 sales and transfer restriction does not begin until January 1, 2027.
Earlier we wrote about BWI airport minimum wage rises to $18 for some Maryland workers