Firearms Safety Training

The Firearms Safety Training Course offers comprehensive instruction that teaches you how to safely use, handle, and store firearms. The course includes:

• Classroom lessons on Maryland’s gun laws
• How to store guns safely at home
• How handguns work
• How to operate firearms safely
• How to fire a handgun. 

Process Updates

House Bill 824, effective October 1, 2023, amended Firearm Safety Training Course requirements. The Maryland State Police, with the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Health, developed a new, compliant Firearms Training Course - PDF - 2.33 MB curriculum (updated 9/8/2023).

Who needs this course?

The Firearms Safety Training Course is a requirement for obtaining the following firearm permits:

• Handgun Qualification License (HQL) applicants need at least 4 hours of instruction. There are no further Firearms Safety Training Course requirements for renewals.
• Wear & Carry Permit applicants:
  • New applicants need at least 16 hours of instruction
  • Renewal applicants need at least 8 hours of instruction

Note: The Firearms Safety Training Course must be taught by a Qualified Handgun Instructor. You can search for a Qualified Handgun Instructor by name or location at Maryland Department of State Police (eMDSP).

Exemptions

You don’t need to take the Firearms Safety Training Course if you’re in one of the following groups:

• An active law enforcement officer (state, federal, or local)
• Retired in good standing from a law enforcement agency
• Active or retired member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard
• A Qualified Handgun Instructor
• If you have already passed Firearms Safety Training Course

Completion of the Firearms Safety Training Course

• You must demonstrate gun safety and proficiency with a minimum score of 70% accuracy.
• You must upload a completed and signed MSP 29-14 Certified Qualification Score Sheet​ - PDF to the documents section of the Wear and Carry Permit Application in the Licensing Portal.
• Designated security personnel (security guards, private detectives, special police, and armored car drivers/guards) must shoot a Practical Police Course of at least 50 rounds, from no further than 25 yards and score at least 70% accuracy.
• All other applicants must shoot a Basic Practical Handgun Course of at least 25 rounds, from no further than 15 yards and score at least 70% accuracy.

FAQs

Questions?