City of Baltimore
Baltimore City Code

§ 59-26. Gas- or air-pellet guns.

(a) Definitions.

(1) In general.

In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(2) "Gas- or air-pellet gun".

"Gas- or air-pellet gun" means any gun or other device, by whatever name or description known, that is designed to discharge or can readily be converted to discharge a pellet or other object by the expansion of gas or air.

(3) Paintball gun.

"Paintball" means any gun or other device, including a gas- or air- pellet gun, that is used or designed or intended to be used to discharge a paintball or other object designed or intended to mark a target with pigmentation.

(b) Giving, etc., to minor prohibited.

No person may sell, give away, or otherwise transfer a gas- or air-pellet gun or paintball gun to, or permit the use or possession of a gas- or air-pellet gun or paintball gun by, any individual whom that person knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a minor.

(c) Possess, discharge, or use.

No person may possess, discharge or use any gas- or air- pellet gun or paintball gun in Baltimore City except:

(1) if the gun is kept within his or her domicile or is used by him or her exclusively for the purpose of teaching the use and care of firearms at a properly constructed indoor or outdoor range;

(2) on a properly constructed target range or recreational paintball facility;

(3) on private grounds or residence under circumstances in which the gun is operated so as to not endanger person or property and in a manner that prevents the projectile from traversing any grounds or space outside of the private grounds or residence; or

(4) if the gun is being transported in a motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and is not being carried on a person.

(d) Penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months or to both fine and imprisonment for each offense.