ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A series of new firearms-related laws passed during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session will go into effect this fall, tightening regulations on gun trafficking, manufacturing, and the use of firearms in violent and organized crimes.
The legislative session, held from Jan. 8 to April 7, produced several bills that enhance penalties for certain firearm offenses and reclassify key crimes as felonies. The Maryland Department of State Police released a summary of the changes Sunday, as required under Public Safety Article §5-147(b).
Among the most consequential measures is Senate Bill 443, which reclassifies the unlawful transportation of regulated firearms into the state for trafficking purposes from a misdemeanor to a felony. The legislation passed unanimously in both chambers — 47–0 in the Senate on March 30 and 138–0 in the House on April 7. It also removes the statute of limitations for prosecution, allowing authorities to bring charges at any time.
House Bill 413, which passed 130–5 in the House and 42–2 in the Senate, imposes harsher penalties for illegal firearm manufacturing and sales. Under the new law, violators face up to five years in prison or fines of up to $10,000 per offense. The bill also criminalizes the transfer of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames, further aligning Maryland law with federal ghost gun restrictions.
The Organized Retail Theft Act (HB179/SB11) introduces felony charges for coordinated thefts exceeding $1,500. Courts must now determine if crimes involving firearms meet the threshold for organized retail theft when requested by prosecutors. The measure saw unanimous approval, passing 132–0 in the House and 47–0 in the Senate.
Additionally, the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act (HB176/SB26) passed with overwhelming support — 135–4 in the House and 44–0 in the Senate — and defines workplace violence to include the use or threat of a firearm against employees. It introduces reporting and safety requirements for public workplaces and establishes a new oversight unit within the Maryland Department of Labor.
All newly enacted laws take effect Oct. 1, 2025. The Maryland State Police will issue additional notices 30 days before implementation.
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Oh my, that will definitely keep criminals from breaking the law. Perhaps they should have made the judiciary responsible after they turn the criminals back out on the street.
judges are exempt from court security. Please don’t think that judges don’t have guns in their offices. When I heard about the judge shooting in KY, I thought what might have happened was that a judge took out a gun on a sheriff + he was defending himself (9/ 2024). Judges don’t live the same lives as those that come before them. Good question: why aren’t judge business cards in the courthouse + in the courtroom? Why can’t we have 1 upon request?
does this mean that police officers won’t have guns in their uniforms anymore? nope.
Security details for politicians should have the same firearms limit as all other citizens.
something tells me this isn’t 200 years ago when we can just go into the general store + get a gun, or baster for 1. excuse me barter
Agreed Maryland is more concerned about protecting the criminals then they are about letting law abiding citizens protecting their families and their selves @
Ever notice that these democrat politicians are walking around with their security teams telling us how safe we are?