Frederick and Washington Counties - Bow Hunting - Openly Carrying Handguns
Summary
SB 449 amends Maryland’s Natural Resources law governing hunting regulations to prevent the Department of Natural Resources from barring certain licensed bow hunters from openly carrying a handgun for personal protection while hunting. The bill applies to hunters who are at least 21 years old, are otherwise legally authorized to carry the handgun under the Criminal Law Article, and are hunting during deer season in Frederick County or Washington County. The handgun may not be used to finish off wounded wildlife; it is limited to personal protection while bow hunting.
The bill also updates the existing statewide hunting rule that already applied in Deer Management Region A, replacing that reference with an additional county-specific authorization for Frederick and Washington Counties during deer hunting season. It leaves the Department’s general authority intact to regulate hunting weapons and ammunition, but carves out this narrow exception for openly carrying handguns by qualifying bow hunters. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
SB 449 amends Section 10-408 of the Natural Resources Article, narrowing the Department of Natural Resources’ ability to regulate weapons used in hunting by creating a specific exception for licensed bow hunters in Frederick and Washington Counties. It affects hunters, the Department of Natural Resources, and enforcement of hunting regulations by allowing open carry of a handgun for personal protection under defined conditions, while preserving existing restrictions on using the handgun to hunt or dispatch wildlife.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported, with the Senate passing it 44-0 on third reading and the committee reporting it favorably with amendments. The available record suggests little overt opposition in the final vote, indicating general agreement with the bill’s limited public-safety and hunting-related carveout.
Contention
The main policy issue is the balance between hunter self-defense and the Department of Natural Resources’ authority to regulate hunting weapons. Supporters of the bill sought to ensure that bow hunters in Frederick and Washington Counties can openly carry a handgun for protection during deer season, while the bill still preserves limits on using that handgun to take wildlife. The amendment replacing the Deer Management Region A reference with county-specific language suggests the scope of the exception was a point of refinement, but the final vote record does not show significant opposition.