Glossary

77R: A common abbreviation for the Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm.

Copycat Weapon: A gun with any of the following characteristics:

  1. A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has any two of the following: a folding stock, a grenade launcher or flare launcher, or a flash suppressor.
  2. A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
  3. A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 29 inches.
  4. A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds.
  5. A semiautomatic shotgun that has a folding stock.
  6. A shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
      Please Click Here for the the full definition of Copycat Weapon.

Certified Qualified Handgun Instructor: A person whom the Maryland State Police has confirmed as being certified by either the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions or a nationally recognized firearms organization as a firearm instructor. A Certified Qualified Handgun Instructor may instruct Handgun Qualification License applicants and Handgun Wear and Carry Permit applicants.

Curio and Relic: As defined by the BATFE, firearms automatically attain C&R status when they are 50 years old, and in their original configuration. The Maryland State Police uses the same definition, as does the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Federal Firearms License (FFL): A person certified and licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to engage in the business of conducting firearms transactions. For more information, please visit the BATFE page here.

Habitual drunkard: A person who has been found guilty of any three crimes under § 21-902(a), (b), or (c) of the Transportation Article, one of which occurred in the past year.

Habitual user: A person who has been found guilty of two controlled dangerous substance crimes, one of which occurred in the past 5 years.

Handgun Qualification License (HQL): A person may not purchase, rent, or receive a handgun after October 1, 2013 unless they possess a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) issued by the Maryland State Police or qualify for exemption status.

LEOSA Permit: Issued by the Maryland State Police to an individual who has been qualified as separating from the Maryland Department of State Police. This includes Maryland State Troopers and Maryland Deputy State Fire Marshals only. This permit authorizes the person to whom it's issued to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction of the United States (with certain exceptions).

Licensed Qualified Handgun Instructor: A person licensed by the Maryland State Police as a firearm instructor who may instruct Handgun Qualification License applicants and Handgun Wear and Carry Permit applicants.

Regulated Firearm: Md. Public Safety Code Ann. § 5-101(r) defines a regulated firearm as:

  1. a handgun; or
  2. a firearm that is of any of the following specific assault weapons or their copies, regardless of which company produced and manufactures that assult weapon: Please click here for the full definition.

​Wear and Carry Permit (also known as Handgun Permit, Concealed Carry Permit): A permit issued by the Secretary of State Police or the Secretary's designee, to carry, wear, or transport a handgun.

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