10/04/2026
Several new Maryland laws take effect today, creating new requirements for law-enforcement officers and fi****ms dealers while setting up additional fi***rm restrictions for January 2027.
Police officers generally must now wear identification while on duty, with new statewide restrictions on face coverings and exceptions for protective equipment, religious garments and other circumstances. The law applies to state, local and federal officers operating in Maryland. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has warned that applying the requirements to federal officers could raise constitutional concerns.
Police agencies must also provide protective body armor to officers assigned to non-administrative duties.
Retired Maryland law-enforcement officers who left their agencies in good standing can receive handgun permits valid for five years and renew them for additional five-year periods under certain conditions.
Fi****ms dealers must report certain fi***rm or am******on burglaries, robberies and thefts, as well as security breaches, to Maryland State Police within 24 hours. Violations can bring civil penalties of up to $250 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses.
Guns surrendered through qualifying buyback programs must also be destroyed after authorities determine they are not connected to a crime or reported lost.
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Maryland will prohibit the manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt or transfer of certain “machine gun convertible pistols,” with exceptions. Maryland State Police will establish regulations and publish the list of prohibited fi****ms.
