Charged with a Gun Crime in Maryland?
Serious charges demand experienced defense. We handle firearm cases statewide and fight to protect your rights and your record.
Results based on internal tracking since 2022; outcomes vary. Not a guarantee.
Verified internally; last updated: Jun 14, 2026.
Maryland Gun Charge Lawyer | Gun Crime Defense in MD
Maryland has some of the most confusing gun laws in the country, which often leaves citizens and visitors unsure about their ability to purchase, carry, or transport firearms. Generally speaking, Maryland's handgun laws are where most criminal gun charges arise, because handguns are treated most harshly under Maryland's two major gun charge statutes. Firearm charges aren't simple, so an attorney is needed to explain what you may be charged with and what your exposure actually is.
If you were charged with a gun crime in Maryland, the charge usually falls under one of two statutes: Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a handgun under CR 4-203, or illegal possession of a regulated firearm under Public Safety Article 5-133. Which one you're facing changes everything, from whether a mandatory minimum applies to which defenses are on the table. The sections below outline the most common offenses, penalties, and defenses in plain language.
Start here: Wear, carry, transport handgun | Felon in possession | Firearm use in a crime of violence | First gun charge guide | How to beat a gun charge
Facing more than a gun charge? Our Maryland criminal lawyer hub covers the full range of criminal charges we defend statewide.
Meet Your Maryland Gun Charge Defense Team
Luke Woods
Firearm defense across wear/carry/transport and felony-in-possession cases.
- Over 20 years of criminal defense experience, including extensive work in gun-related offenses.
- Successfully defended clients against gun possession by prohibited individuals, concealed carry violations, and firearm-related felonies.
- Extensive suppression practice on stop-and-frisk and probable cause.
Max Frizalone
Trial-first strategy for handgun and weapons offenses with dismissals and acquittals.
- Former prosecutor in Prince George's County, bringing insider knowledge to gun crime defense.
- Experienced in defending against charges of illegal firearm possession, transportation violations, and use of a firearm in a violent crime.
- Skilled in challenging search and seizure violations, improper gun evidence collection, and flawed ballistic reports.
Verified internally; last updated: Jun 14, 2026.
Both Luke Woods and Max Frizalone specialize in criminal defense, and each has earned not guilty verdicts on felony charges. Luke is a veteran trial attorney with over two decades of purely criminal defense experience who regularly litigates handgun cases in Circuit and District Court. Max accrued felony trial experience in his prior roles as a prosecutor, public defender, and private attorney, and is unafraid of taking a case to trial, which has earned him the respect of numerous State's Attorney's Offices and judges alike.
Why Choose FrizWoods for Your Maryland Gun Charge Defense
Maryland is full of attorneys who bill themselves as "criminal defense attorneys" but spend part of their day analyzing car accident cases. Gun defense at FrizWoods looks different:
Criminal defense only
Both partners practice criminal defense exclusively. No car accidents, no wills, no distractions from the work that decides gun cases.
Former prosecutor insight
Max Frizalone is a former Assistant State's Attorney. We know how the State builds a gun case because we've built them.
Felony trial experience
Not guilty verdicts on felony charges, dismissals before indictment, and high-profile cases dismissed, including a first degree rape.
Motions practice wins gun cases
Gun cases often turn on the stop and the search. We litigate suppression motions aggressively because that's where these cases are won.
Mandatory minimum experience
Felon in possession carries a 5-year mandatory minimum without parole. We know what's at stake and how to fight it.
24/7 attorney line
Call (877) 343-1031 at any hour. Talk to a lawyer before you make a statement that ends up in the report.
Local court knowledge
We appear weekly in PG, Howard, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Baltimore, and Montgomery County and know the judges and prosecutors who will be in your case.
Trial when it counts
Choosing the wrong attorney to bring to trial can mean the difference between freedom and a long period of incarceration. We pick juries and try felony cases.
How We Build a Gun Charge Defense
Every case has different facts, but the process for finding the weaknesses is consistent:
The stop
Most gun charges start with a vehicle stop. If the stop was unlawful, the gun that was recovered can be suppressed.
The search
Consent searches, inventory searches, and probable cause searches each have their own rules. See our vehicle search guide.
Possession
The State has to prove the gun was yours. Constructive possession in cars with multiple occupants is a real defense.
Operability
Firearm operability is a common defense. If the State can't prove the weapon functions, the case changes.
Disqualification status
PS 5-133 cases require proof you were actually prohibited. We scrutinize whether your prior actually qualifies.
Transport exceptions
Maryland law has limited exceptions for transporting unloaded firearms to the range, a purchase, or a repair shop. We check whether one applies.
Negotiation
When negotiation is the right call, we work to reduce charges and avoid the convictions that carry mandatory time.
Trial
If the offer isn't right, we try it. Bench trials in District Court and jury trials in Circuit Court.
Maryland Gun Charge Penalties
Maryland has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Here is what the most common charges carry:
| Offense | Statute | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying/transporting a handgun without a permit | CR 4-203 | Misdemeanor | 5 years jail, $2,500 fine (first offense) |
| Illegal possession of a regulated firearm (prior offense / underage) | PS 5-133 | Misdemeanor | 5 years jail |
| Possession with a prior felony or crime of violence | PS 5-133(c) | Felony | 15 years, with a 5-year mandatory minimum without parole |
| Use of a firearm in a crime of violence or felony | CR 4-204 | Misdemeanor (mandatory minimum applies) | 20 years, with a 5-year mandatory minimum |
A conviction can lead to a permanent criminal record, loss of gun rights, and severe collateral consequences. Loaded handgun charges under CR 4-203(a)(1)(v) carry enhanced penalties, and a person with a previous firearm transportation or dangerous weapon conviction may face a mandatory sentence that cannot be suspended.
Gun Charges for Transporting Handguns | CR 4-203
Criminal charges for Wearing, Carrying, or Transporting a handgun in Maryland are some of the most common gun crimes charged. Within this statute are the criminal offenses of:
- Handgun on person
- Handgun in vehicle
- Loaded handgun on person
- Loaded handgun in vehicle
Each of these charges is a misdemeanor and carries a first-time maximum penalty of 5 years of incarceration. These offenses are not considered violent crimes under the Maryland criminal code, and charges are frequently brought after a handgun is recovered from a vehicle stop. Read our handgun in a vehicle guide for how these cases usually unfold.
Many visitors hold carry licenses from Virginia or DC and are unaware that Maryland has strict handgun transportation laws. Drivers passing through may not realize they are illegally carrying on Maryland roadways, even if carrying is legal elsewhere. Members of the Armed Forces and otherwise law-abiding citizens can face charges for how a handgun is stored or transported in a vehicle.
Illegal Gun & Weapon Possession | PS 5-133
In addition to the criminal charges for wearing, carrying, and transporting a firearm, Maryland has criminal penalties under Public Safety Article 5-133, Restrictions on Possession of Regulated Firearms. The statute lays out a number of different reasons a person can be disqualified from possessing a firearm, including:
- Previous conviction for a disqualifying crime
- Conviction of a common law crime and imprisonment for over two years
- Being a fugitive from justice
- Being a habitual drunkard
- Being a habitual user of drugs
- Being found incompetent by a Court previously
- Being under 21 years old at the time of possession
- Being previously adjudicated delinquent, and being under 30 at the time of the possession
- Being previously convicted of a felony
- Being previously convicted of a crime of violence (not what you'd expect)
Most Public Safety Article firearm charges are misdemeanors, with the exception of firearm possession by a felon.
What are the penalties for a felon possessing a firearm?
The penalty is substantially higher for someone who has a prior felony or crime of violence conviction and is in possession of a firearm. A mandatory five year prison sentence would be imposed, without the possibility of parole. The possible sentence can go up to fifteen years if a person is convicted. See our full felon in possession guide.
What is a crime of violence for 5-133(c) charges?
For the purposes of this section, a crime of violence in Maryland includes:
- abduction;
- arson in the first degree;
- assault in the first or second degree;
- burglary in the first, second, or third degree;
- carjacking and armed carjacking;
- escape in the first degree;
- kidnapping;
- voluntary manslaughter;
- maiming as previously proscribed under former Article 27, 386 of the Code;
- mayhem as previously proscribed under former Article 27, 384 of the Code;
- murder in the first or second degree;
- rape in the first or second degree;
- robbery;
- robbery with a dangerous weapon;
- sexual offense in the first, second, or third degree;
- home invasion under 6-202(b) of the Criminal Law Article;
- a felony offense under Title 3, Subtitle 11 of the Criminal Law Article;
- an attempt to commit any of the crimes listed in items (1) through (17) of this subsection; or
- assault with intent to commit any of the crimes listed in items (1) through (17) of this subsection or a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year.
A second degree assault conviction is considered a crime of violence for this section despite being a misdemeanor.
A Maryland gun attorney is going to be essential in a felon in possession case, as the criminal justice system has imposed significant mandatory minimum jail sentences. These gun charges are no joke.
Types of Maryland Gun Cases We Handle
The defense that works for a wear/carry case isn't the same one that works for a felon in possession case or a ghost gun case. These are the categories we work in regularly:
Wear, carry, transport
The most commonly charged Maryland gun crime, usually out of a traffic stop. See wear/carry/transport.
Handgun in a vehicle
Guns recovered from cars raise stop, search, and possession defenses. See handgun in a vehicle.
Felon in possession
5-year mandatory minimum without parole when conditions are met. See felon in possession.
Firearm use in a crime of violence
Charged alongside felonies, with its own mandatory minimum. See firearm use charges.
Minor in possession
Persons under 21 generally can't possess a regulated firearm, with limited exceptions. See minor in possession.
Ghost guns
Unserialized Polymer80 and homemade firearm cases under PS 5-703. See ghost gun charges.
Guns and drug charges
Firearm enhancements stack on drug cases fast. See firearm and drug trafficking charges.
Glock switches and auto sears
Conversion devices bring serious state and federal exposure. See Glock switch charges.
First gun charge
No record? The path through a first charge looks different. See the first gun charge guide.
Frequently Asked Questions for a Maryland Gun Lawyer
What should I do if charged with a handgun offense?
If you are charged with a handgun crime, you should speak with a qualified attorney right away. Attorney-client privilege protects your consultation. An attorney can assess defenses, explain penalties, and plan a trial strategy. Gun crimes are treated seriously throughout the State, and avoiding jail time may depend on your lawyer's ability to defend the case.
How can you beat a gun charge in Maryland?
To beat a Maryland gun charge you'll need to formulate a defense with your attorney. Common defenses include firearm operability and the legality of the stop or search that uncovered the weapon. These cases often turn on legal motions practice.
Does my out of state gun permit allow me to carry in Maryland?
No. Maryland does not honor concealed carry permits from any other state, meaning an out-of-state permit does not allow you to carry in Maryland. If you wish to carry a handgun in Maryland, you must obtain a Maryland Handgun Wear and Carry Permit. Carrying without the appropriate license in Maryland can lead to serious legal consequences.
What is the penalty for a felon in possession of a firearm?
A conviction under PS 5-133(c) can lead to up to fifteen years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years without parole if certain conditions are met. Mandatory minimum penalties are unavoidable and require the sentencing judge to give at least the minimum.
Do I need a lawyer for a gun crime?
Absolutely. Gun crimes are serious offenses, often carrying significant legal consequences. A lawyer can evaluate the evidence against you, raise defenses on the stop and search, and present a strategy tailored to your situation. Even if you believe the charges are minor, consult with a legal expert to understand the potential repercussions.
Are wear, carry, transport charges violent crimes?
No. The offenses under CR 4-203, including handgun on person and handgun in a vehicle, are misdemeanors and are not considered violent crimes under the Maryland criminal code. Each carries a first-time maximum penalty of 5 years of incarceration.
Who should I choose as my Maryland gun lawyer?
Choose an attorney who actually tries gun cases. Both Luke Woods and Max Frizalone specialize in criminal defense, have earned not guilty verdicts on felony charges, and have experience picking juries and trying felony cases before judges and juries alike.
How many law offices does FrizWoods have?
FrizWoods has four office locations: Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County, Columbia in Howard County, Severna Park in Anne Arundel County, and Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County. All offices are available by appointment.
Gun Charge Defense Across Maryland | Find Your Area
We defend gun cases in courts throughout central Maryland. Find your county or city below:
Prince George's County
Montgomery County
Statewide
Client Reviews
A few representative reviews from past gun charge clients. The full set lives at our reviews page.
Related Gun Charge Resources
Charge-Specific Guides
Defense & Process
Special Situations
Our Gun Defense Office Locations
Upper Marlboro Office
14513 Main Street, Ste B, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 720-1917
Get directions on Google Maps
Columbia Office
6304 Woodside Court, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: (410) 346-9384
Get directions on Google Maps
Severna Park Office
540 Ritchie Hwy Suite 301, Severna Park, MD 21146
Phone: (410) 883-5667
Get directions on Google Maps
Chesapeake Beach Office
9120 Chesapeake Ave #201, North Beach, MD 20714
Phone: (877) 343-1031
All offices available by appointment. Call our 24/7 attorney line at (877) 343-1031 for immediate help after a gun arrest.
Talk to a Maryland Gun Charge Lawyer
The State has the gun, the police report, and the prosecutor. You should have someone who has actually tried these cases to verdict. The first call is free, and what you say to us stays privileged.
Call 24/7: (877) 343-1031
Just got arrested?
If you are facing firearm charges and need urgent guidance, our Maryland gun case help page explains what to do next.