You're hitting on some of the major factors in comparing the rate of CCWs between different states .
Assuming one already owns suitable firearm(s) , and is reasonably competent , marginal costs at baseline include :
$75 application
$50- 75 fingerprints
$350-500 16 hour class
Call it $500-700 in money , plus lost time from other endeavors , and transportation costs .
Plenty of people can't afford that period , and lots more will have serious pause , compared to other priorities .
IF , the process remains the same other than G&S , and Further IF MSP doesn't become hopelessly backlogged , I'll predict that MD Permit rates will be on the order of 2- 3% , rather than the 10% and more in some other states .
IIRC that total is in the close range of what I spent for my initial CA CCW.
And I agree on the cost; years ago I could not afford. In a nutshell it's like a poll tax, and to me that's despicable.
Even worse for retirees with limited income and potential physical limitations. Ditto for the disabled.