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Airgun law · United States

Are Airguns Legal in Maryland?

Yes, with conditions.

Generally legal, but with real rules to follow — usually age verification, and in some places a low-power threshold.

Tier 3 — Moderate

Mainly age verification (typically 18+), with some local variance.

MD

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Maryland is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationNot a firearm
Age rule18+ for sales
PossessionFree for adults
Transfer / saleNo state process
TransportNo state rule
PreemptionLocal rules govern
Before you buy or sell
  • County patchwork is unusually restrictive — verify the specific county before shipping.

The rules in detail

Classification
Not a firearm
Not a firearm under state law.
Age rule
18+ for sales
Industry standard 18+; no airgun-specific statewide age verified.
Possession
Free for adults
Lawful for adults.
Transfer / sale
No state process
No state-imposed transfer process.
Transport
No state rule
No state-specific transport rules.
Preemption
Local rules govern
No airgun preemption — county patchwork is unusually restrictive.

Hunting with an airgun

Detailed deer and furbearer allowances

Deer
Allowed with conditions
Allowed during firearms season
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Predators
Explicitly allowed
Allowed for named species
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Caliber / FPE minimums
Deer: ≥ .40 caliber AND ≥ 400 FPE, OR bolt/arrow ≥ 18 inches at ≥ 300 fps with broadhead ≥ 7/8 inch
Notes
Maryland has one of the most detailed deer-airgun rule sets, plus furbearer allowances.

Local rules that still apply

Multiple counties
Maryland's county-level ordinances are unusually restrictive despite no state-level law. Verify each county individually.
Montgomery / Prince George's / Baltimore Counties
Discharge of airguns is materially restricted in most populated zones.

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.