FAQs
Firearms FAQs
It depends. Each applicant's situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Federal law still prohibits possession by unlawful users or addicts. While medical marijuana was not addressed specifically, the recent Supreme Court ruling in US v. Hemani requires more evidence than mere habitual use to prohibit possession under Federal law. Therefore, medical marijuana use may not be a prohibition per se, but an investigation could uncover enough evidence to warrant prohibition. Further, Hemani didn't address state law prohibitions, which could also result in prohibition depending on the applicant's circumstances.
The device itself is not a firearm and so its sale would not be regulated by the Maryland State Police, however when a pistol is placed within the device frame, the weapon becomes a rifle (because the weapon is "designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder.") And if the overall length of the combination weapon is less than 29", the weapon is now a "copycat weapon" subject to the prohibitions against possessing an assault weapon under CR Title 4, Subtitle 3.
No, an AK-47 handgun is not banned because it is not an assault long gun. An AK-47 handgun would still be a "regulated firearm" requiring a 77R and may not be sold in Maryland, or manufactured for distribution in Maryland, unless included on the Handgun Roster.
Yes. Under the Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Article 4 Section 104, it is unlawful for any person to store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor has access to the firearm. (For safety purposes, the stored firearm should be unloaded and the use of an appropriate lock or locked container is recommended).
Contact our Licensing Division for information.
Handguns must be unloaded, in an enclosed case or an enclosed holster and the ammunition should be separate. It would be best to keep the unloaded handgun in the trunk where you do not have access to it. There are further regulations but essentially you can only transport a handgun between residence, to and from a repair shop, a shooting sporting event, between a residence and place of business if substantially owned and operated by the person. For more information contact our Licensing Division for information.
Firearms collectors FAQs
No. You will receive a letter explaining that you have been granted the status of a “Designated Collector”. This status allows for multiple firearm purchases.
No. A Firearms collector is a status granted to an individual by the Maryland State Police. This status allows the individual to purchase more than one firearm at a time. This status does not grant any additional privileges or expedite the processing time required for a regulated firearms purchase.
Firearm dealers FAQs
No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun is classified by the State as a “firearm," but not a “handgun". A Handgun Qualification License (HQL) is only needed if you are purchasing a handgun that is not clas sified as a curio and relic.
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.
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.
Visit the Common Access Card site to verify current or retired military credentials.
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.
Yes. COMAR 29.03.01.21 ("Transfer of Regulated Firearms Sold at Gun Shows") states:
- 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.
- A dealer may conduct business at a gun show if:
- A legible photostatic copy of a valid Dealer's License is displayed prominently in public view as part of the display;
- All business conducted at a gun show is from a table or fixed display; and
- The dealer conducts business in compliance with Public Safety Article, Title 5, Subtitle 1, Annotated Code of Maryland."
If the dealer is a sole proprietor, then business stock is also the dealer's personal property. No 77R or HQL is required if the dealer transfers a regulated firearm from dealer stock to personal collection. If the sole proprietor dealer wanted to buy a handgun directly for his personal possession (from a licensed dealer in MD), then the dealer would have to complete the 77R and have a HQL.
The Public Safety Article 5-102(6) exempts dealers from all requirements of Title 5, Subtitle 1 of Public Safety. Dealers can acquire handguns without an HQL for dealer stock. So, a dealer does not need an HQL to acquire stock. If the dealer is a corporation or LLC and it wants to sell a handgun to one of its employees or corporate officers, the purchaser will need to complete a 77R and have a HQL. If the dealer is a sole proprietor, then the business stock is also their personal property and no 77R/HQL would be necessary for transfers from "business stock" to "personal collection.
Public Safety Article, 5-146(a) mandates that the dealer/seller/transferor "shall notify the purchaser or recipient . . . ." No further guidance is provided by the statute. However, an affirmative response to question #23 on the 77R indicates that the dealer provided such notification will suffice.
A dealer's license is not transferable. Prior to moving a place of business, a licensee shall inform the Secretary and surrender the dealer's license.
Handgun Qualification Licenses FAQs
No. An HQL is the only required to purchase, rent or transfer a firearm.
When applying for your HQL you will be asked for the serial number of your legally owned regulated firearm. Upon providing that serial number you will have met your obligation.
The Maryland State Police will enforce the requirements of the new law with respect to applicants whose applications are pending as of October 1. In light of the number of currently pending applications, resulting from the unprecedented spike in new applications in recent months, it is a fair, reasoned, and appropriate result for those who are waiting for their pending purchase applications to be processed. Persons who submit purchase applications on or after October 1, 2013, unless otherwise exempted by law, will be required to apply for and obtain a handgun qualification license before attempting to purchase a handgun.
Registration information is automated on the eMDSP Licensing Division.
If approved, the MSP will issue a Handgun Qualification License to present to the dealer.
As of October 1, 2013, the application process has been automated on the MSP Licensing Division webpage.
Regulated Firearms FAQs
No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun is classified by the State as a “firearm," but not a “handgun". A Handgun Qualification License (HQL) is only needed if you are purchasing a handgun that is not classified as a curio and relic.
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.
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.
The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Please refer to the Public Safety and Correctional Services website for fingerprinting details and locations.
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.
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.
Yes. Please see the Handgun Qualification License page for more information.
No, Maryland law does not allow the Maryland State Police to access your criminal record without first having an application on file.
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.
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.
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.
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 emailed to the Firearms Registration Unit.
Transfer Permit FAQs
Once your application and all required documents are received, it will be reviewed.
- If your application is incomplete, incorrect, or missing information, it will be returned to you.
- If false information is provided, a criminal investigation may be started.
- A returned application is not considered submitted until you fix the issues and send it back with all required documents and fees.
If your application is complete and accurate, a background investigation will begin. The timing depends on how complete and truthful your submission is.
The Maryland State Police will review your character, reputation, and qualifications. They will also run a criminal background check to determine if you are legally allowed to purchase or possess a regulated firearm, or if you are operating as a firearms dealer without proper authorization.
- If you are prohibited by state or federal law from owning a regulated firearm, or are unlawfully selling firearms, your application will be denied.
- After the investigation is complete, the Maryland State Police will review all information and decide whether to approve or deny your application.
It is the Permit holder’s responsibility to ensure the Licensing Division is notified of address or name changes in writing. There is no fee to change information maintained by the Licensing Division. E-mail notifications are not accepted and you may not receive a confirmation of receipt for change of information.
Transporting Firearms FAQs
Under 18 U.S.C. § 926A, you can legally transport a firearm if you follow certain rules:
- You must be legally allowed to own the firearm.
- You must be traveling from a place where you can legally have the firearm to another place where you can legally have it.
- The firearm must be unloaded.
- The firearm and any ammunition must not be easy to reach from the passenger area.
If your vehicle does not have a separate trunk:
- The firearm and ammunition must be locked in a container.
- The container cannot be the glove box or center console.
Yes, however, Maryland and Federal laws require specific conditions be met while transporting a handgun. Please refer to Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Title 4, Section 203 for a detailed account of wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun.
You can find more information:
- On the Maryland General Assembly website:
- On the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives website (search for “27 CFR Part 178” and “Transportation of Firearms”)
Basic transport rules:
- The handgun must be unloaded.
- It must be in a case or enclosed holster.
- Ammunition must be stored separately.
- You must be traveling directly to or from a place allowed by law (such as a range, repair shop, or your home).
A Maryland resident who lawfully owned the firearm prior to October 1, 2013 may travel with the firearm to other states and return so long as it is not a violation in the state you are traveling to and the firearm is being transported in accordance with the law. A person may not transport an assault weapon into Maryland for target competition unless the person lawfully possesses, has a purchase order for, or applied to purchase the weapon before October 1, 2013. Federal law allows a person to transport a firearm through Maryland but not to Maryland if the firearm is not in compliance with state law.
Wear and Carry permit FAQs
As long as the renewal application has been submitted in the Licensing Portal at least two (2) weeks prior to the expiration date of the current handgun permit, you are still allowed to carry on the expired permit until you receive your renewed permit. If the application is returned to you for incompleteness and you resubmit it after the two (2) weeks, you will not be allowed to carry your handgun.
You need to submit the same documentation as when you first applied.
Wear and Carry card “Replacement” requests are submitted in your online portal account. If you do not have an existing portal account, you will need to create one to submit this request. You must attach a notarized letter to your online request, explaining the circumstances of the loss/theft. There is a $10 fee, which is paid via credit card upon the submission of your request. If you are a security guard, private detective, armored car driver or special police officer, please attach an updated company sponsorship to your request.
No. The application must be completed and submitted online in the Licensing Division Portal.
No. The handgun instructor must be registered with the Maryland State Police on-line registration.
A list of Qualified Handgun Instructors is available online.
If you are any one of the below you are exempt.
- You are an active law enforcement officer with a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State or any local law enforcement agency in the State.
- You are a retired law enforcement officer with a law enforcement agency of the United States, the State or any local law enforcement agency in the State.
- You are an active, retired, or honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard.
- You are a Qualified Handgun Instructor registered with the Maryland State Police.
- You have successfully completed a firearms training course given by a Qualified Handgun Instructor.
No. Out-of-state providers are not approved by the Dept. of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
No. They must be approved by the Dept. of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Search for a fingerprinting service provider.
Yes, under Title 18, Section 926A, of the United States Code, a person who is not prohibited from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment. In the case the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked compartment other than the glove compartment or console.
Yes, however, Maryland and Federal laws require specific conditions be met while transporting a handgun. Please refer to Maryland Annotated Code, Criminal Law, Title 4, Section 203 for a detailed account of wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun. You may access the Maryland General Assembly website. You can access the Federal requirements through the ATF and conduct a search for “27 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 178” and then look for “Transportation of Firearms.” The basic requirement during transport is the handgun must be unloaded and in an enclosed case or enclosed holster with the ammunition separate from the handgun AND you must be transporting the handgun to or from the locations listed in the statute.
No. Maryland does not recognize permits/CCWs from any other state.
No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun is a "firearm" in this State, not a "handgun." A HQL is only required when purchasing a handgun that isn't a curio or relic.