A Regulated Firearms Dealer is defined as a person who is, or seeks to be, engaged in the business of selling, renting, or transferring regulated firearms for either wholesale or retail. A Regulated Firearms Dealer must be licensed by the Maryland State Police, and must have a valid Federal Firearms License prior to the submission of the Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer application.
Who Should Apply
A person who is, or seeks to be, engaged in the business of selling, renting, or transferring regulated firearms at wholesale or retail must possess a State of Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer's License. The Regulated Firearms Dealer's License may be applied for by submitting an original application to the Maryland State Police via the Licensing Portal. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR PROCESSED WITHOUT A VALID FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE (FFL). A separate Regulated Firearms Dealer's License is required for each place of business where regulated firearms are sold, rented, or transferred.
Process Changes/Updates
There have been no registration process changes in the last 12 months.
How to Apply
To apply, access the Licensing Portal by logging into a personal account. If you do not possess a personal account, one can be created on the Licensing Portal home page by clicking "CREATE MY ACCOUNT" (Please note: Regulated Firearms Dealer's that existed prior to the transition to the Licensing Portal on May 1, 2023, must use a personal Portal account, not their Dealer ID Portal logon credentials). Once logged in, click "START DLR" on the Licensing Portal DASHBOARD page to begin a Regulated Firearms Dealer application (original, renewal or modification).
Applicants will be required to upload the following documents:
- A copy of the applicant's current valid Federal Firearms License;
- A current passport style photograph of the applicant;
- A copy of the applicant's current valid government issued identification card (i.e.; Drivers License);
- A copy of the applicant's current trader's license (if inventory is maintained);
- A copy of the applicant's retail sales tax license, and;
- Receipt that
electronic fingerprints were submitted containing the tracking number (Original applications only).
If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall be completed and executed by a corporate officer who is a resident of the State of Maryland.
When Should I Renew
A Regulated Firearms Dealer's License expires on the first June 30 after its effective date. Renewal requests must be received 30 business days prior to expiration to allow for the completion of a background investigation.
Application Fees
Acceptable forms of payment include Visa and MasterCard.
Original Application – $50.00
Renewal Application – $25.00
Modification – $0.00
All application fees are collected electronically upon submission of the application in the Licensing Portal. Application fees are non-refundable.
How Long is the Application Process
APPLICANT - A Regulated Firearms Dealer's license applicant is required to obtain Livescan Fingerprints for an original application. Once this perquisite has been obtained, the Regulated Firearms Dealer's license application can be completed in the Licensing Portal within 1-1.5 hours.
PROCESSING TIME - Once the Licensing Division electronically receives the completed Regulated Firearms Dealers license application and the required application fee, the applicant background investigation will be completed and the applicant will be scheduled for an onsite safety and compliance inspection and an in-person orientation training class. Once these requirements have been completed, a Regulated Firearms Dealer's license can be issued. This process can be completed within 30-90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) in order to purchase a lower receiver?<div class="ExternalClass3DD031265BE4452DA55B210EA3256C5E"><p><span style="font-size:13px;">No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun is classified by the State </span><span style="font-size:13px;">as a “firearm,” but not a “handgun”.  A Handgun Qualification License (HQL) </span><span style="font-size:13px;">is only needed if you are purchasing a handgun that is not classified as a </span><span style="font-size:13px;">curio and relic.</span><span style="font-size:8pt;"></span></p></div>
May I build my lower receiver purchased at any time into a handgun?<div class="ExternalClass45C5D2E584A04614A1AF9414166695AA"><p><span style="font-size:13px;">Yes, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun may be manufactured provided there is compliance with federal and other state laws—into a </span><span style="font-size:13px;">handgun.</span><span style="font-size:8pt;"></span></p></div>
May I build my lower receiver purchased after 10/1/2013 into an assault long gun?<div class="ExternalClassD4249241E14E431BBD6D650BCF7BDC62"><p><span style="font-family:"segoe ui", segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:13px;">No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun purchased after 10/1/2013 may be built—provided there is compliance with federal and other state </span><span style="font-size:13px;">laws—only into a handgun, a short barreled rifle that has an overall length of 29 inches or greater, or if the lower receiver is an AR15 platform, into a </span><span style="font-size:13px;">heavy barrel model.</span><span style="font-size:8pt;"></span></span></p></div>
What if the applicant is a corporation?<div class="ExternalClass27E9564C0233407D8EBB47C3DD71D988"><p>If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall be completed and executed by a corporate officer who is a resident of the State of Maryland.</p></div>
Can Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealers transfer Regulated firearms at gun shows?<div class="ExternalClass230953A04DFB49ABAAD6D2BCF154769D"><p>Yes. COMAR 29.03.01.21 ("Transfer of Regulated Firearms Sold at Gun Shows") states:</p>
<p>"A. A seller or dealer may not transfer a regulated firearm sold from a table or fixed display at a gun show until the eighth day after the seller or dealer has forwarded the application to purchase or transfer a regulated firearm by certified mail or facsimile machine to the Secretary.</p>
<p>B. A dealer may conduct business at a gun show if:</p>
<p>(1) A legible photostatic copy of a valid Dealer's License is displayed prominently in public view as part of the display;</p>
<p>(2) All business conducted at a gun show is from a table or fixed display; and</p>
<p>(3) The dealer conducts business in compliance with Public Safety Article, Title 5, Subtitle 1, Annotated Code of Maryland."</p>
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Statutes
To obtain the most recent text of any legislation, please go online to LexisNexis or the Maryland General Assembly's website to access the most up-to-date Maryland code.
Documents
