No, nunchucks are illegal in Maryland under state law, classified as “dangerous weapons” without a valid exception. Local law enforcement, including the Baltimore Police Department, enforces this ban strictly, with penalties ranging from misdemeanor charges to confiscation. Recent 2026 legislative proposals to relax restrictions have stalled in the Maryland General Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, leaving the prohibition intact.
Key Regulations for Nunchucks in Maryland
- Statutory Ban: Maryland Criminal Law § 4-101 prohibits the possession, sale, or use of nunchucks as dangerous weapons, punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment.
- Law Enforcement Enforcement: The Maryland State Police and county sheriffs conduct periodic inspections of martial arts schools and online retailers, seizing non-compliant items under § 5-101 of the Public Safety Code.
- Exemptions Narrow: Only licensed security personnel or individuals with a “dangerous weapons permit” (rarely granted) may possess nunchucks, per regulations issued by the Maryland Department of State Police in 2024.
Violations trigger mandatory court appearances, with judges often imposing fines exceeding $1,000 alongside potential jail time. Retailers like Annapolis-based “Martial Arts Pro Shop” have faced cease-and-desist orders for selling nunchucks, as confirmed by the Maryland Attorney General’s 2025 enforcement bulletin. Travelers transporting nunchucks through Maryland (e.g., via BWI Airport) risk immediate confiscation by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents coordinating with state authorities.