Is AR-15 ownership legal in Maryland?

AR-15 ownership is restricted in Maryland. See the notes section of this page and consult an attorney before purchasing.

Does Maryland have an assault weapon ban?

Yes. Maryland has an assault weapon ban. Certain configurations of AR-15 rifles are restricted or prohibited.

Does Maryland limit magazine capacity?

Yes. Maryland limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds.

Are short-barreled rifles (SBRs) legal in Maryland?

SBRs are prohibited in Maryland.

Are suppressors legal in Maryland?

Suppressors are legal to own in Maryland subject to federal NFA registration.

Is a permit required to purchase an AR-15 in Maryland?

No permit is required to purchase an AR-15 in Maryland beyond the standard federal background check.

Does Maryland require AR-15 registration?

No. Maryland does not require AR-15 registration.

AR15OUTFITTERS

AR-15 Laws in Maryland

Last verified: April 8, 2026

This is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney and verify current federal, state, and local regulations before purchasing or building any firearm.

AR-15 Ownership

Restricted

Assault Weapon Ban

In Effect

Magazine Capacity Limit

10 rounds

Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)

Prohibited

Suppressors

Legal (with NFA)

Permit Required

Registration Required

Details

Assault weapons ban. AR-15 platform banned by name. HBAR (heavy barrel) variants are legal. Magazine limit 10 rounds.

Buying in Maryland

Background Check	State POC (MSP)
Waiting Period	7-day for handguns, none for long guns
Purchase Age	21+ for handguns and regulated firearms, 18+ for other long guns
Permit to Purchase	Handgun Qualification License (HQL) required for handguns
Private Sale Background Check	Required (universal background check)

Carry Laws

Constitutional Carry	No
Concealed Carry Permit	Shall-issue
Open Carry	Legal with permit (rarely practiced)

AR pistols generally follow the same carry laws as handguns in Maryland. Verify with local law enforcement.

Local Preemption

State preempts local firearms laws

Neighboring States

How Maryland compares to its border states for AR-15 owners.

State	Restriction Level	Mag Limit
Delaware	Minimal restrictions	None
Pennsylvania	Minimal restrictions	None
Virginia	Minimal restrictions	None
West Virginia	Minimal restrictions	None
District of Columbia	Heavy restrictions	10 rds

Laws last reviewed: April 2026. Always verify current laws before purchasing.

AR-15 Ownership in Maryland

AR-15 style rifles are heavily restricted in Maryland. Featureless builds or fixed-magazine configurations may be legal. Consult a local firearms attorney before purchasing.

Building an AR-15 in Maryland

Maryland has an assault weapon ban in effect. Featureless builds with a compliant grip (fin grip or similar), fixed stock, and no flash hider may be legal. Fixed-magazine configurations using devices like the CompMag or MagLatch are another option in some jurisdictions.

Consult a Maryland-licensed firearms attorney before starting any build.

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Product Recommendation Disclaimer: These recommendations are based on our understanding of Maryland law as of April 30, 2026. Laws change. Always verify compliance with your local FFL dealer before purchasing. AR15 Outfitters is not a legal authority.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. This information is provided for educational purposes only. Laws change frequently. Always verify current regulations with your state legislature or a licensed attorney before purchasing, building, or possessing any firearm or firearm accessory.