Maryland State Police

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Regulated Firearm Purchases


Who Should Apply?

Any person who wishes to purchase, rent, or transfer a regulated firearm must complete a MSP 77R Application and Affidavit to purchase a regulated firearm. This includes individuals acquiring a regulated firearm through a firearm dealer, secondary sale/private sale, gift, or a person who wishes to voluntarily register a regulated firearm shall complete a Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R).

How To Apply


The Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R) can ONLY be completed through the Licensing Portal.  Before beginning your 77R application you will need to create an account with a valid email address. Creating an account assists us with verifying your identity and ensures the safety of your personal demographics. Once you have created your account you will be able to log in to start your 77R applicaton.  Upon submission of your 77R application you will receive a confirmation email with your application number and PIN number.  Bring both items (application number and PIN number) to a licensed Maryland Regulated Firearm Dealer or to a Maryland State Police Barrack to complete the applicaiton process.  The Dealer/Barrack will complete the application and submit it to Licensing Division.  On the 8th day after the application has been submitted to Licensing Division by the Dealer or Barrack you will receive an email notifying you of your final disposition.  If the notification email states your final disposition is Not Disapproved or Initial Review Not Disapproved this means that you have been approved and can now pick up your weapon.  However if the notification email states your final disposition is Disapproved then you may contact the Maryland State Police for more information on the Disapproval; no further details will be provided in the notification email.   

                                           For more information on the Licensing Portal:

                                               ​

How Much Does It Cost?


 

Licensed dealers are assessed a $10 processing fee for each application submitted as a result of a new purchase. Secondary Sales conducted by a licensed dealer may be assessed an additional $20 fee by the dealer.

Secondary Sales conducted at a Maryland State Police Barrack require a $10 processing fee.

Voluntary Registration/Gifts to immediate family members are free. However, see the HQL page for any relevant fees to obtain a Handgun Qualification License, as it may be applicable.

Gifts to non-family members are considered Secondary Sales.

When Should I Apply?


Whenever you wish to purchase, rent, or transfer a regulated firearm you must complete a Maryland State Police Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm (MSP 77R) via the Licensing Portal. This includes anytime an individual acquiring a regulated firearm through a firearm dealer, secondary sale/private sale, gift, or a person who wishes to voluntarily register a regulated firearm.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is it lawful for a medical cannabis patient or a personal user of cannabis to own or possess a firearm?
    <div class="ExternalClass37C0FCF0387245FA8BB5D293D1EBA54C"><p>​No. Federal law bars medical cannabis patients and personal cannabis users from purchasing or possessing firearms. The Federal Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C.&#160;§ 922(g)(3), prohibits any person who is an &quot;unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802))&quot;&#160;from shipping, transporting, receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition. Marijuana is listed in the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule I controlled substance, and there are no exceptions in Federal law for marijuana&#160;purportedly used for medicinal purposes, even if such use is sanctioned by State law.</p><p>Medical cannabis patient information contained in Maryland's patient registry is considered confidential, protected health information and held in compliance with federal HIPPA regulations by the Maryland Cannabis Commission. However, the Maryland State Police query individuals who seek to&#160;purchase a firearm&#160;about their status as a medical cannabis patient or personal use of cannabis and bar those who disclose that they are a medical cannabis patients or a personal user of cannabis from making the transaction. Individuals who provide false information by failing to disclose that they are a medical cannabis patient or a personal user​&#160;of cannabis when purchasing a firearm are in violation of federal statute, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000.&#160;​<br></p></div>
  • Do I need a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) in order to purchase a lower receiver?
    <div class="ExternalClassC3726805FE154405BB4F989545801EBE"><p>​No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun is classified by the State as a &quot;firearm,&quot; but not a &quot;handgun&quot;​. A Handgun Qualification License (HQL) is only needed if you are purchasing a handgun that is not classified as a curio and relic.</p></div>
  • May I build my lower receiver purchased at any time into a handgun?
    <div class="ExternalClassCF3D0444E207434394B619299C946D6D"><p>​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 handgun.​</p></div>
  • May I build my lower receiver purchased after 10/1/2013 into an assault long gun?
    <div class="ExternalClassE25F5173F6E844CC94BDE561EAB1E3AF"><p>​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 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 heavy barrel model.</p></div>
  • Who will be responsible for fingerprinting applicants?
    <div class="ExternalClass273256E79EC54A90BC96F068E74269C7"><p>​The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Please refer to the Public Safety and Correctional Services website for fingerprinting details and locations click <a href="https&#58;//www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml" target="_blank"> <strong>Here</strong>​</a>.<br></p>​ </div>
  • What is a habitual user?
    <div class="ExternalClass215581DFC4A84C9D8943B9E2AC2A57E7"><p>​Habitual user is a person who has been found guilty of two controlled dangerous substance crimes, one of which occurred in the past 5 years.​</p></div>
  • What is a habitual drunkard?
    <div class="ExternalClass99A333E9D612437AB8EFE32915AFEFFB"><p>​Habitual drunkard is 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.​</p></div>
  • Will I need to obtain a Handgun Qualification License in order to purchase a regulated firearm
    <div class="ExternalClassFA7640C4D04F4ECCBC10635AD9A24D96"><p>​Yes. Please see the Handgun Qualification License page for more information​.</p></div>
  • Can you check my record prior to filling out the paperwork for a regulated firearm?
    <div class="ExternalClassAFB0787073104300AF40C43F532DCD2F"><p>​No, Maryland law does not allow the Maryland State Police to access your criminal record without first having an application on file.</p></div>
  • The Maryland State Police recently confirmed my eligibility and I purchased a handgun last month. Why am I on review again?
    <div class="ExternalClass3475230101E940D98A76550B808460A3"><p>​Even though you have recently purchased a handgun legally, a background check is still required. MSP must ensure that since the time of your purchase you have not been served a protective order, or been arrested, convicted of a disqualifying crime, or placed on supervised probation, etc.</p></div>
  • Can I complete an additional application for the purchase of a regulated firearm even though I am currently waiting for my previous application to be approved?
    <div class="ExternalClassD30902598E33466696423570D9C834A3"><p>​A person may not purchase more than one regulated firearm in a 30-Day period. You may complete more than one application within 30 days, however you may not transfer or take possession of more than one firearm within the 30 day period. Exceptions to this rule are listed on the Regulated Firearms Collector page.​</p></div>
  • Why am I placed on review?
    <div class="ExternalClass8FB07665D55748A693EE0B7048CDE5C7"><p>​If there are any discrepancies discovered on the 77R application and/or during any records checks, the application will be placed on hold pending further review by a Maryland State Trooper to ensure the applicant is not prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm.​</p></div>
  • How do I check the status of my application?
    <div class="ExternalClass447566DB29DA48CEB89188FFA7206214"><p>​Applications are processed in the order that they are received. To check the status of your submitted applications, log into your Licensing Portal account and click CONTINUE TO DASHBOARD in the upper right corner. From the dashboard click on 77R APPLICATIONS to view the current status of your 77R applications. Additional questions or concerns may be sent to the Firearms Registration Unit at the following email address&#58;&#160; <a href="mailto&#58;msp.firearmsregistration@maryland.gov%E2%80%8B" target="_blank">msp.firearmsregistration@maryland.gov​​</a></p></div>

​​

Statutes

Below you will find links to PDFs of relevant Maryland statutes, provided for your convenience. Please note that laws change over time. The below documents were created on June 12, 2013, and are for reference purposes only. To obtain the most recent text of any legislation, please go online to LexisNexis to access the up-to-date Maryland code.

Note: If you are experiencing issues viewing any of the documents on our website please Click Here​.

Type
  
Doc Title
  
Description
File Size
  
expand Regulated Firearm Purchases : 2010 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(1)
expand Regulated Firearm Purchases : 2013 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(6)
expand Regulated Firearm Purchases : 2021 ADVISORIES & BULLETINS ‎(1)
expand Regulated Firearm Purchases : 2022 ADVISORIES & BULLETINS ‎(1)
expand Regulated Firearm Purchases : 2024 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(1)
expand Regulated Firearm Purchases : Application Documentation ‎(3)
expand Regulated Firearm Purchases : Statutes ‎(1)
​

​

​​