← Maryland firearms laws›Duty to Inform Police

Maryland Duty to Inform Police Laws (2026)

Info: Maryland has no statutory duty to inform: its wear-and-carry statute (Pub. Safety § 5-308) only requires the permit holder to carry the permit whenever carrying, and the current text has no volunteer duty and no display-on-demand clause.

InfoVerified Jul 18, 2026

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Maryland has no statutory duty to inform: its wear-and-carry statute (Pub. Safety § 5-308) only requires the permit holder to carry the permit whenever carrying, and the current text has no volunteer duty and no display-on-demand clause. A permit is still required to carry a handgun at all.

Official source: mgaleg.maryland.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Duty to Inform Police in states bordering Maryland

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

DelawareInfo
Delaware has no duty to inform: its concealed-carry law (11 Del. C. §§ 1441-1442) contains no requirement to notify an officer or to present the license on demand (verified against the full weapons subchapter). A Delaware CCDW (Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon) license is still required to carry concealed at all.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: delcode.delaware.gov · Full Delaware rule →
District of ColumbiaConditional
The District of Columbia has a proactive duty to inform: if an officer initiates an investigative stop, a concealed-pistol licensee must disclose that they are carrying, present the license and registration certificate, identify where the pistol is, and comply with orders — including the officer taking possession of it (D.C. Code § 7-2509.04(d)). The duty extends to other licensees present who are carrying.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: code.dccouncil.gov · Full District of Columbia rule →
PennsylvaniaConditional
Pennsylvania has no proactive duty to inform, but when carrying a firearm concealed on the person or in a vehicle, a licensee must produce the license for inspection on the lawful demand of a law-enforcement officer (18 Pa.C.S. § 6122(a)); failure to produce it creates a rebuttable presumption of non-licensure. The rule has been unchanged since 1997.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: palegis.us · Full Pennsylvania rule →
VirginiaConditional
You do not have to tell an officer you are armed or have a permit. If you carry concealed on a permit, you must have it on you and show it, with a government photo ID, when an officer demands it. Out-of-state permit holders must likewise carry photo ID and show both on demand. Failing to show a Virginia permit is a $25 civil penalty, which a court may waive if you later show a valid permit.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
West VirginiaInfo
West Virginia law does not require you to tell an officer you are armed, and it does not require you to carry or show a license. A visitor who relies on an out-of-state permit, instead of permitless carry, must have the permit in immediate possession.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: code.wvlegislature.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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