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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Alters Handgun Permit Training Requirements and Curriculum
Last action · February 12, 2026: Hearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsor: Bill Folden
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate Bill 677 modifies the mandatory classroom and practical training curriculum required for applicants seeking an initial or renewal handgun permit in Maryland, effective October 1, 2026.
Handgun permit applicants face a restructured training syllabus that removes several specific legal topics from the classroom requirement while adding mandatory instruction in tactical skills, firearm nomenclature, and safe maintenance.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
handgun permit applicants
Applicants must complete a newly structured classroom and practical training curriculum that changes the required subjects for initial and renewal permits.
qualified handgun instructors
Instructors must update their course curricula to include the newly mandated practical and safety topics while omitting the removed legal modules.
Key Facts
- Senate Bill 677 alters the required firearms training course that applicants for a handgun wear, carry, or transport permit must successfully complete.
- The bill removes classroom instruction requirements on safe firearm storage, statutory prohibitions, surrender requirements, loss reporting, banned accessories, special permits, straw purchases, and prohibited locations.
- The bill removes specific classroom instruction on home firearm safety and handgun mechanisms and operations from the legal subsection.
- The bill adds mandatory classroom instruction on handgun nomenclature and selecting a handgun for self-defense.
Show all 10 facts
- The bill adds instruction on ammunition knowledge and defensive ammunition selection.
- The bill adds instruction on basic defensive handgun skills and drawing a handgun from concealment.
- The bill adds instruction on loading and stoppage remediation.
- The bill adds instruction on mindset, including responding to an attack and the aftermath of an attack.
- The bill adds instruction on handgun concealment and carry modes, home firearm safety, and safe firearm storage, cleaning, and maintenance.
- The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new topics are added to the handgun permit training course?
When does this change take effect?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 12, 2026SenateHearing 3/03 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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