Maryland Public Safety Section 5-306

      (a)      Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a permit within a reasonable time to a person who the Secretary finds:

            (1)      is an adult;

            (2)      (i)      has not been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor for which a sentence of imprisonment for more than 1 year has been imposed; or

                  (ii)      if convicted of a crime described in item (i) of this item, has been pardoned or has been granted relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c);

            (3)      has not been convicted of a crime involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance;

            (4)      is not presently an alcoholic, addict, or habitual user of a controlled dangerous substance unless the habitual use of the controlled dangerous substance is under legitimate medical direction; and

            (5)      based on an investigation:

                  (i)      has not exhibited a propensity for violence or instability that may reasonably render the person's possession of a handgun a danger to the person or to another; and

                  (ii)      has good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun, such as a finding that the permit is necessary as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger.

      (b)      An applicant under the age of 30 years is qualified only if the Secretary finds that the applicant has not been:

            (1)      committed to a detention, training, or correctional institution for juveniles for longer than 1 year after an adjudication of delinquency by a juvenile court; or

            (2)      adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for:

                  (i)      an act that would be a crime of violence if committed by an adult;

                  (ii)      an act that would be a felony in this State if committed by an adult; or

                  (iii)      an act that would be a misdemeanor in this State that carries a statutory penalty of more than 2 years if committed by an adult.