Brief Overview Of Maryland State Laws Concerning Air Guns
Maryland currently does not and any state laws regulating air guns.
How old do you need to be to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun in Maryland?
In Maryland you must be 18 Years Old to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun.
Maryland Air Gun Hunting Regulations
Maryland allows air gun hunting for certain species. These species include:
• Beaver
• Bobcat
• Coyote
• Crow
• Fisher
• Gray Fox
• Long-tailed Weasel
• Mink
• Muskrat
• Nutria
• Opossum
• Otter
• Raccoon
• Red Fox
• River Otter
• Ruffed Grouse
• Skunk
• Eastern Fox Squirrel
• Ground Squirrel
• Turkey (Fall Only)
• Woodchuck
Air Gun Laws In Local Jurisdictions
In addition to state laws, local jurisdictions may also have their own laws regulating air guns. Below are the laws for local jurisdictions in the state of Maryland.
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 11.44 WEAPONS Annapolis, Maryland Code of Ordinances
11.44.060 BB guns, slingshots, bows and arrows, large rocks and similar devices.
A. A person may not sell, give away, lend or otherwise transfer to any minor under the age of eighteen years, except with the express permission of a parent or guardian of the minor, any BB gun, any slingshot, any bow and arrow, or any other device by whatever name or description known, designed to discharge a pellet or other object by force of a spring, elastic band, gas cylinder, air cylinder, gas cartridge or air cartridge.
B. A person may not discharge or use any BB gun, slingshot, bow and arrow or device, except on private property with the express permission of the owner or other person entitled to possession of the property and in a manner to prevent the discharged pellet or object from traversing any grounds or space outside the limits of the property, or except at an indoor or outdoor target range under the supervision of an adult.
C. Nothing in this section makes lawful anything otherwise prohibited by law.
D. Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both as established by resolution of the City Council.
FINES SCHEDULE Effective July 1, 2013 Annapolis, Maryland Code of Ordinances
11.44.060.D
BB guns, slingshots, bows and arrows, large rocks and similar devices.
Not to exceed $100 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both
BERLIN, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
ARTICLE V. WEAPONS – Berlin, Maryland – Code of Ordinances
Sec. 20-94. – Discharge prohibited; exceptions; penalty.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, except a qualified law enforcement officer of the United States, the state, the county or the town, to shoot, fire or discharge any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver, air gun, BB gun or other dangerous or deadly weapon within the corporate limits of the town.
(b) Any violation of the provisions of this article shall be punishable, upon conviction, as a misdemeanor as provided in section 1-23
(Code 1977, §§ 104-1, 104-2; Ord. No. 115, 5-3-1965)
CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 12 OFFENSES—MISCELLANEOUS – Cambridge, Maryland – Code of Ordinances
Sec. 12-18. – Weapons—Discharge of firearms.
(a) No person shall discharge any cannon, gun, rifle, pistol, pellet gun, bb-gun, dart gun or any other firearm within the corporate limits of the city, unless otherwise permitted by exemption set forth in subsection (b) hereof.
(b) Exemptions. This provision, however, shall not apply to:
(1) Supervised pyrotechnic displays, to the discharge of cannons for ceremonial purposes, or to the abatement of nuisances when the city police department determines such act to be necessary or causes the same to be actively supervised, and the city council approves such activity; or
(2) The discharge of a firearm for the purpose of self-defense within the owner’s home.
(c) Any person violating this section may be deemed to be guilty of an infraction, the fine for which shall be $100.00.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the legal possession of a firearm within the city, or the reasonable discharge of the firearm for the purpose of the self-defense within the home.
(Code 1972, § 23.01; Ord. No. 674, § 1, 1-23-84; Ord. No. 987, 5-11-09)
CHEVERLY, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 20 PEACE AND GOOD ORDER – Cheverly, Maryland – Code of Ordinances
Sec. 20-3. – Firearms and pellet guns.
It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to discharge any type of firearms, BB gun or any other weapon within the town.
(Ord. No. 14-77, 10-13-77)
Sec. 20-4. – Dangerous weapons generally.
The provisions of article 27 of the Annotated Code of Maryland concerning weapons shall be applicable in the Town of Cheverly. In addition, it shall be unlawful within the town for any unauthorized person to wear or carry on or about his/her person any pistol, revolver, dirk knife, bowie knife, slingshot, billy, blackjack, sand club, sword cane, metal knuckles, razor, rifle (unless broken down or properly cased) or shotgun (unless broken down or properly cased) or BB gun (unless broken down or properly cased), or any other dangerous or deadly weapon of any kind whatsoever (except penknives) provided that any knife having a blade of more than two and one-half (2½) inches in length shall be considered a dangerous weapon within the meaning of this section.
Sec. 20-5. – Supplying firearm materials or dangerous weapons to underage persons.
It shall be unlawful for any person, licensed dealer or otherwise, to sell, barter or give away shotguns, rifles, or any long guns whatsoever, or any ammunition, powder, shot or shells for any dangerous weapon, covered by section 20-4 preceding, to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years. It shall be unlawful for any person, licensed dealer or otherwise, to sell, barter or give away handguns of all types except those classified as antiques to any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years.
(Ord. No. 14-77, 10-13-77)
CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 14 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND OFFENSES – Chevy Chase, Maryland – Code of Ordinances
Sec. 14-1. – Use of dangerous weapons.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or permit any minor to use, any firearm, slingshot, BB gun, bow and arrow, explosives, including fireworks, or any other type of lethal or dangerous weapon, on either public or private property, within the town.
CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
DIVISION 2. WEAPONS Cumberland, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 11-94. Air guns, slingshots, etc.
No person shall discharge, fire or shoot any air guns, spring gun, blow pipe, slingshot, bean shooter or any other contrivance manufactured and calculated to throw, sling, or discharge any shot or missile within the city, and no person shall possess any such weapon upon any of the streets or alleys of the city; provided, however, that this provision shall not prohibit the discharge of a paintball gun on any property where paintball competitions are permitted by the property owner.
(Code 1966, § 19-1; Ord. No. 3381, § 1, 10-22-01)
EMMITSBURG, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
No listed air-gun ordinances.
FREDERICK, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 15 OFFENSES—MISCELLANEOUS Frederick, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 15-17. Firearms—Discharge within city.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fire, discharge or set off any gun, rifle, pistol, revolver or other firearms, air rifle, cannon, torpedo, squib or other dangerous weapon of any character within the city without a written permit from the chief of police and director of safety; provided, that this section shall not apply to members of any military company when engaged in drilling or target practice under the command or direction of any officer thereof, or to the use of firearms in the lawful defense of person or property, or to the use of firearms by members of the police department in the lawful discharge of their duty.
(1961 Supp., § 12.49)
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 15A PARKS AND OTHER PROPERTIES Gaithersburg, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 15A-9. Weapons.
No person other than a police officer or a city employee authorized to do so shall have in his possession any firearm, air-rifle, paint ball gun, spring-gun, bow and arrow, sling or other instrument capable of propelling a projectile with sufficient force to inflict injury, or any weapon designed to fire blank cartridges. This section shall not prohibit the possession and use of blank pistols by officials at permitted athletic events, nor shall it prohibit the possession and use of firearms or bows and arrows or other weapons for target shooting at places and times specifically designated for that purpose by the city manager.
(Ord. No. O-2-75, § 9; Ord. No. O-7-01, 4-2-01)
HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
SUBTITLE 4. FIREARMS CONTROLS Howard County, Maryland Code of Ordinances
(f) Definition:
Gun: Any firearm, rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, air gun, air rifle or any similar mechanism by whatever name known which is designed to expel a projectile through a barrel by the action of any explosive, gas, compressed air, spring, or elastic.
SUBTITLE 5. PUBLIC RECREATION ON PRIVATE LANDS Howard County, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 19.504. Rules, regulations and prohibited activities.
The following activities are prohibited in open space areas:
(c) Possessing any firearm, rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, air gun, air rifle or any similar mechanism by whatever name known which is designed to expel a projectile through a barrel by the action of any explosive gas, compressed air, spring or elastic. Police Officers are authorized to seize such mechanisms and deliver them to the Police Department for disposition as provided in section 19.509 of this subtitle.
LA PLATA, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 146 PEACE AND GOOD ORDER La Plata, Maryland Code of Ordinances 146-5 Discharge of firearms.
D. Air guns.
(1) In this subsection, “air gun” means a small-caliber weapon, with a handgun or a shoulder weapon, from which pellets or darts are discharged by the expending force of compressed air or gas (carbon dioxide or CO2). The term includes air guns called “air rifles,” “BB guns,” “gas guns,” “spring-operated guns” and “air pistols.”
(2) No person may discharge any air gun within five hundred (500) feet of any home or residence, other than his own, or any school or school grounds, whether private or public, any church or church grounds, any place or public assembly or any public park or playground within the Town of La Plata.
(3) This subsection shall not prohibit the owner or tenant of any land from discharging any air gun on his land for the purpose of the protection of his own property or the life of himself or his family or killing predatory animals which prey upon, damage or destroy his property, livestock or crops. This subsection shall not apply to the discharge of any air gun on any target, trap or skeet range or shooting area which has been inspected and approved in writing by the Town Council or its duly authorized agent. This subsection shall not apply to the discharge of any air gun by any person in a private basement or cellar target range.
LAUREL, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
No listed air-gun ordinances.
MIDDLETOWN, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
No listed air-gun ordinances.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 57. Weapons. – Sec. 57-1. Definitions.
In this Chapter, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:
Gun or firearm: Any rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, air gun, air rifle or any similar mechanism by whatever name known which is designed to expel a projectile through a gun barrel by the action of any explosive, gas, compressed air, spring or elastic.
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY Ocean City, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 58-101. Discharge of firearms.
It shall be unlawful for any person except a peace officer to fire, set off or discharge any pistol, revolver, rifle, gun or any other firearm or any air rifle or air-gun within the corporate limits of Ocean City, Maryland.
(Code 1972, § 103-3)
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY Ocean City, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 58-101. Discharge of firearms.
It shall be unlawful for any person except a peace officer to fire, set off or discharge any pistol, revolver, rifle, gun or any other firearm or any air rifle or air gun within the corporate limits of Ocean City, Maryland.
(Code 1972, § 103-3)
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
DIVISION 6. WEAPONS. Prince George’s County, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 14-140. Loaded weapons prohibited; exceptions.
(a) No person shall discharge or have in his possession, while loaded, any firearm, rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, air gun, air rifle or any similar mechanism by whatever name know, which is designed to expel a projectile through a gun barrel by the action of any explosive, gas, compressed air, spring or elastic, within one thousand feet (1,000′) of any home or residence, other than his own, or any school or school grounds (private or public), church or church grounds, places of public assembly, public parks and playgrounds within the County, whether the weapon is loaded with blank or live cartridges or projectiles of any kind.
(b) This Section shall not prohibit the owner or tenant of any land from discharging such described weapons on his land for the purpose of the protection of his own property or the life of himself or his family, or killing predatory animals which prey upon, damage or destroy his property, livestock or crops. This Section shall not apply to the discharging of such weapons where a permit has been issued by the Department of Environmental Resources.
Sec. 14-141. Transfer of weapon to minor prohibited; exceptions.
(a) No person shall give, sell, rent, lend or otherwise transfer any gun or weapon described in Section 14-140, designed to use explosive ammunition or any projectile therefor, within the County to a minor under the age of seventeen (17) years, except where the relationship of parent and child, guardian and ward or adult instructor and pupil exists between such person and the minor.
ROCKVILLE CITY, MARYLAND – AIR GUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
ARTICLE III. OTHER OFFENSES Rockville, Maryland Code of Ordinances
Sec. 13-61. Firearms; violation of section declared misdemeanor.
(a) A person may not discharge any firearm, rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, air gun, air rifle or any similar mechanism that is designed to expel a projectile through a gun barrel by the action of any explosive, gas, compressed air, spring, or elastic within the corporate limits of the City whether such mechanism is loaded with blank or live cartridges or projectiles of any kind.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to:
(1) The discharge of any mechanism on any target, trap or skeet range or shooting area which has been inspected and approved in writing by the City Manager; or
(2) The discharge of any such mechanisms by any person in a private basement or cellar target range; or
(3) The discharge of any such mechanism where necessary to protect life or property or to kill any dangerous animal; or
(4) To any duly authorized peace officer acting in the proper performance of his official duties; or
(5) The discharge of blank cartridges in theatrical performances or sporting events; or
(6) The firing of salutes by firing squads at military funerals.
(c) The City Manager shall issue target, trap and skeet range and shooting area approval certificates, which certificates may specify the time and manner of shooting and type of gun or ammunition which may be used on such range or area. Any such approval certificate shall be valid for eighteen (18) months after its issuance and shall be issued only upon a finding by the City Manager that the discharge of guns upon such ranges or areas will not jeopardize life or property. No range or area shooting certificate shall be issued except upon the written application of the owner, lessee or person lawfully in possession of the land upon which is located the range or area sought to be licensed or approved.
(d) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Laws of Rockville, Ch. 12, § 12-1.07)
Cross reference— Punishment for misdemeanors, § 1-10; firearms in parks, § 14-43.
SALISBURY, MARYLAND – AIRGUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
Chapter 9.04 FIREARMS Salisbury, Maryland Code of Ordinances
9.04.020 Discharge of air guns, slingshots and like devices prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person to discharge or set off any air gun, bean shooter, slingshot or other like device within the corporate limits of the city.
(Prior code § 69-2)
ST. MARYS COUNTY, MARYLAND – AIRGUN LAWS AND RESTRICTIONS
No listed air-gun ordinances.
Disclaimer
These rules and regulations were compiled to the best of my ability. The information on this article should not constitute as legal advice. Always check with your local jurisdiction for the final ruling.