As of 10/1/2013, in order to purchase a handgun in Maryland one must have a Handgun Qualification License (HQL). The HQL is for purchase only and does not authorize concealed carry.
First you need to find an HQL class, which will run $60-$165 dollars. You will need to rent a gun and in all likelihood purchase marked up range ammo from the range since you're using their rental. That's another $50.00 total. Then you need to pay for electronic fingerprinting which is around $60.00. Then you can pay the $50.00 application fee. Hopefully you have Internet access and a CC/debit card to pay the application fee. Now you will wait for 14-30 calendar days for your HQL to arrive.
Once that's done you can purchase a handgun, but you will need to pay $35.00 for a bore obstruction device (in most cases) and $20.00 for a spent shell casing if the gun doesn't come with one. Spent shell was repealed this summer and will no longer be in effect as of 10/1/2015. You will have to pay a $10.00 background check fee when you submit the purchase paperwork known as a 77R. Then you will wait for a mandatory minimum of 8 days for the "not disapproved" to come back from Maryland State Police.
All told, the process will cost around $300.00 before you carry the pistol home. Despite all that....Baltimore.
To answer your question, the cost should be $0.00. I do not believe purchase licenses or concealed carry permits should exist. States like Vermont, Maine, Kansas, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, and Wyoming have it right.
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