Source: https://lawcenter.giffords.org/category/states/maryland/
Timestamp: 2020-02-25 03:54:59
Document Index: 75619653

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 11', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 4', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§ 13', '§ 10', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 3']

Maryland Archives | Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Ammunition Regulation in Maryland
Under Maryland law, a person may not possess ammunition if that person is prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm under Maryland’s Public Safety laws.1 “Ammunition” for these purposes means a cartridge, shell, or any other device containing explosive or incendiary material designed and intended for use in a firearm.2 See the Prohibited Purchasers Generally in Maryland section for details on circumstances that prohibit a person from possessing a regulated firearm.
Maryland requires any person engaged in the business of “loading or reloading small arms ammunition” to obtain a license.3 A license is also required for possession or storage of quantities over five pounds of: 1) “smokeless powder for the loading or reloading of small arms ammunition;” or 2) “black powder for the loading or reloading of small arms ammunition.”4 Exceptions are included for persons who handle smaller quantities of smokeless or black powder for personal use so long as the powder is stored in the original shipping containers.5 Maryland does not regulate the sale or possession of other kinds of unreasonably dangerous ammunition, although the federal prohibition on certain kinds of armor-piercing ammunition applies.
In addition, no person may possess or store explosives for use in firearms in “multifamily dwellings, apartments, dormitories, hotels, schools, other public buildings, or buildings or structures open for public use.”6
In Maryland, no person may sell, rent or transfer ammunition solely designed for a handgun or assault weapon to a person under age 21.7 No person may sell ammunition for any firearm to a person under age 18.8
Maryland does not:
Require a license to sell regular ammunition;
Ensure that sellers of ammunition maintain records of the purchasers; or
Require a license to purchase or possess regular ammunition.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-133.1(b). See Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-133(b), (c) for the state’s prohibited categories. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-133.1(a). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 11-105(b)(1). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 11-105(d)(1). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 11-105(d)(2). The State Fire Marshal may issue a permit for temporary possession of explosives for use in firearms in buildings or structures open for public use. Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 11-105(d)(3). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-134(d)(1)(i). Though Maryland prohibits sales and transfers of ammunition solely designed for a handgun or assault weapon to persons under 21, in 2011 the state repealed its law prohibiting persons under age 21 from possessing ammunition such ammunition. See 2011 Md. H.B 519, amending Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-133(d). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-134(d)(1)(ii)(2); Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 1-101(g). ⤴︎
Assault Weapons in Maryland
Maryland now prohibits the possession, sale, offering of sale, transfer, purchase, receipt, or transportation into the state of an assault weapon, which includes assault pistols and assault long guns.1
There are various exceptions under the prohibitions, including returning an assault weapon to a customer in another state that was transferred to a licensed firearms dealer under the terms of a warrant or for repair, or for the possession of an inherited assault weapon as long as the person inheriting the assault weapon is not otherwise disqualified from possessing a regulated firearm.2 Additionally, a person who lawfully possessed an assault pistol before June 1, 1994 may continue to transport and possess the weapon if it was registered with the Maryland State Police before August 1, 1994.3
Assault weapons qualify as state-defined “regulated firearms,”4 and transfers of such guns, if allowed at all, are subject to enhanced background checks, firearms dealer regulations, private sales requirements and reporting of lost or stolen firearms regulations. In addition, purchasers:
Must be age 21 or older (see the Minimum Age to Purchase & Possess Firearms in Maryland section);
Are subject to the state’s seven-day waiting period; and
Are limited to one assault weapon in any 30-day period (see the Multiple Purchases & Sales of Firearms in Maryland section).
A licensed firearms dealer may continue to possess, sell, offer for sale, or transfer an assault long gun or a copycat weapon that the licensed firearms dealer lawfully possessed on or before October 1, 2013.5
A person who lawfully possesses or has a purchase order for, or completed an application to purchase an assault long gun or a copycat weapon before October 1, 2013, may:
Possess and transport the assault long gun or copycat weapon; or
While carrying a court order requiring the surrender of the assault long gun or copycat weapon, transport the weapon directly to a local law enforcement unit if the person has notified the unit that the person is transporting the assault long gun or copycat weapon in accordance with a court order and the weapon is unloaded.6
A person may transport an assault weapon to or from:
An “ISO 17025 accredited, National Institute of Justice-approved ballistics testing laboratory;” or
A facility or entity that manufacturers or provides research and development testing, analysis, or engineering for personal protective equipment or vehicle protection systems.7
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law §§ 4-301(d), 4-303(a). Maryland law defines “assault long guns” to include a list of 45 specified firearms or their copies, including certain variations of those models. Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-101(r)(2). Maryland also defines “assault pistols” to include 15 specified firearms or their copies, including certain variations of those models. Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-301(c).
Under Maryland law, the definition of assault weapon also includes a “copycat weapon” which is defined as:
A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has any two of the following: 1) A folding stock; 2) A grenade or flare launcher; or 3) A flash suppressor;
A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds;
A semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 29 inches;
A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds;
A semiautomatic shotgun that has a folding stock; or
A shotgun with a revolving cylinder. Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-301(e)(1).
Under this law, “detachable magazine” means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from a firearm without requiring disassembly of the firearm action or without the use of a tool, including a bullet or cartridge. Md. Code Ann. Crim. Law § 4-301(f). “Flash suppressor” means a device that functions, or is intended to function, to perceptibly reduce or redirect muzzle flash from the shooter’s field of vision. Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-301(g). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-302(3)(iii), (5). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-303(b)(1). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-303(b)(2). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-303(b)(3). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-303(b)(4). ⤴︎
Background Check Procedures in Maryland
The Secretary of the Maryland State Police (“Secretary”) serves as a partial state point of contact for implementation of the Brady Act. Prospective purchasers of state-defined “regulated firearms” (handguns and assault weapons)1 must complete the state’s application form.2 The application must be processed through the Secretary, who must verify the contents of the application.3 Among other things, the Secretary must disapprove a transfer if the Secretary receives written notification from the applicant’s licensed attending physician that the applicant suffers from a mental disorder and is a danger to himself or herself or to another.4 If the Secretary disapproves an application, the Secretary must notify the seller or transferor within seven days of the application, in accordance with the Maryland waiting period.5
A seller of a regulated firearm who is not licensed as a dealer in such firearms must complete a transaction through either a regulated firearms dealer or a designated law enforcement agency.6 See the Maryland Private Sales section for further information.
A dealer must contact the FBI for the federally required NICS checks for long gun (rifle and shotgun) transfers.7
See the Maryland Prohibited Purchasers Generally section for the classes of persons prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under state law.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety §§ 5-120, 5-123, 5-124. Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Instant Criminal Background Check System Participation Map, at http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/general-information/participation-map. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-122. For more information about the procedure for the background check, see Md. Code Regs. 29.03.01.01 – Md. Code Regs. 29.03.01.12. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-122. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-124(a)(2). ⤴︎
Bulk Gun Purchases in Maryland
Maryland prohibits any person from purchasing more than one handgun or assault weapon within a 30-day period.1 A person whose handgun or assault weapon is stolen or irretrievably lost and who “considers it essential” that the firearm be replaced immediately may obtain another handgun or assault weapon if he or she provides a copy of an official police report which contains relevant information regarding the owner of the firearm and information regarding the loss or theft of the firearm.2
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-128(b). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-128(a)(8). See Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-129 for additional grounds for allowing multiple purchases of handguns or assault weapons. See also Md. Code Regs. 29.03.01.04. ⤴︎
Categories of Prohibited People in Maryland
Maryland law also makes it a crime to fail to comply with the terms of an extreme risk protective order prohibiting firearm possession during the term of the order. See Disarming Prohibited Persons in Maryland.
Transfers of rifles and shotguns by private sellers (non-firearms dealers) are not subject to background checks, although federal purchaser prohibitions still apply. See Private Sales in Maryland.
Child Access Prevention in Maryland
For other measures related to child access prevention, see the Maryland Locking Devices section.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-104(c). “Child” is defined as a person under age 16, per Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-104(a)(3). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-104(b). ⤴︎
Design Safety Standards in Maryland
Disarming Prohibited People in Maryland
Maryland law does not establish a clear process to ensure the surrender or removal of guns from violent offenders. Maryland has enacted mandatory laws requiring the relinquishment of firearms by domestic violence abusers, however, as well as an extreme risk protection order law.
Handguns and Assault Weapons
A regulated firearm (handgun or assault weapon) or an assault pistol that is sold, rented, transferred, possessed, received or purchased in violation of state law governing such firearms may be seized by law enforcement as “contraband” and disposed of.1 A handgun that is “worn, carried, or transported” in violation of state laws governing the carrying and transporting of handguns is subject to seizure and forfeiture by law enforcement.2 Ammunition found “in the immediate vicinity” of such a handgun is also subject to seizure.3 Moreover, ammunition “worn, carried, or transported” in violation of state laws governing the carrying and transporting of handguns or penalizing the commission of a crime with a handgun is also subject to seizure and forfeiture.4
A law enforcement officer may conduct a limited search, without a search warrant, if he or she reasonably believes a person: 1) may be wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun in violation of state law; and 2) is a danger to law enforcement or others due to the possession of the handgun.5 The officer must also believe it is impracticable to obtain a search warrant and that “swift measures” are necessary to discover whether the person is wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun.6 If, subsequent to a search, the officer finds that the person is wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun, he or she may demand evidence that the person is lawfully permitted to do so. If no evidence is produced, the officer may seize the handgun and arrest the person.7
After law enforcement seizes a handgun, the officers must attempt to locate the owner.8 Law enforcement has discretion to either return the handgun to the owner or notify the owner that he or she may apply within 30 days for a review to determine whether the owner: 1) “knew or should have known that the handgun was worn, carried, transported, or used” in violation of state laws governing the carrying and transporting of handguns; and 2) is legally permitted to possess the handgun.9
Under Maryland law, if a mental health facility hearing officer enters an order for involuntary commitment and the hearing officer determines that the individual cannot safely possess a firearm based on credible evidence of dangerousness to others, the hearing officer must order the individual who is subject to the involuntary commitment to: 1) surrender any firearms in the individual’s possession to law enforcement; and 2) refrain from purchasing a firearm unless specifically granted relief.10
Maryland provides that a court may issue a warrant to search for and seize a machine gun that is possessed in violation of state law regulating possession of machine guns.11
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-135. See also Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-304. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 13-201(1). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 13-201(2)(ii). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 13-201. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-206(a)(1). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-206(b). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 13-203(a). ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 13-203(a)(2), (3), (b). If the owner of a seized handgun timely requests a review, law enforcement must informally review whether the owner knew or should have known of the unlawful use of the handgun. Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 13-204. If the review results in a decision favorable to the owner, law enforcement must return the handgun to the owner if he or she is legally permitted to possess it. If the handgun is needed as evidence in a criminal case or investigation, it must be returned promptly when the case or investigation ends. If the informal review results in an unfavorable conclusion for the owner, within 30 days of notification of such determination the owner may petition for review by the District Court. Id. See Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 13-205 for information on seized handguns in criminal cases. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Health, Gen. § 10-632. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-402(c). ⤴︎
Maryland prohibits the sale or other transfer of a “regulated firearm” (handgun or assault weapon) to, or possession of a firearm by, any person “convicted of a disqualifying crime.”1 A person “convicted of a disqualifying crime” is also prohibited from possessing a standard rifle or shotgun.2
State law specifies that “convicted of a disqualifying crime” includes: (i) a case in which a person received probation before judgment for a crime of violence; and (ii) a case in which a person received probation before judgment in a “domestically related crime,” but does NOT include a case in which a person received a probation before judgment for assault in the second degree, unless it was domestically related, or that was expunged under a certain section of Maryland law.3
“Disqualifying crime” is generally defined as: 1) a crime of violence in Maryland or another state; or 2) any Maryland-classified misdemeanor that carries a statutory penalty of more than two years.4
Removal or Surrender of Firearms When An Abuser is Convicted of a Crime
In 2018, Maryland enacted a law that requires a person convicted of a disqualifying crime to surrender any firearms, if the court has found that the crime was “domestically related.”10 When a person is charged with such a crime, the state’s attorney must provide the person with a notice that a person convicted of such a crime is prohibited from possessing firearms. When an abuser is convicted of or pleads guilty to such a crime, the court must order the abuser to surrender his or her firearms within 2 business days after the conviction to a law enforcement agency or a federally licensed firearms dealer. The abuser may designate a representative to transfer the firearms.11 The Police Training and Standards Commission, in consultation with the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, must develop a training curriculum to ensure use of best practices in investigating compliance with these requirements.12
Maryland allows a law enforcement officer responding to an alleged domestic violence incident to remove a firearm from the scene if he or she: 1) has probable cause to believe an act of domestic violence has occurred; and 2) observed the firearm on the scene during the response.13 The officer must provide information to the owner regarding the process for retrieving the firearm and must provide safe storage for the firearm during any related domestic violence legal proceeding.14 The owner may resume possession of the firearm at the conclusion of legal proceedings related to the domestic violence incident, unless ordered by a court to surrender the weapon.15
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-205. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Pub Safety §§ 5-101(b-1). ⤴︎
2018 Md. Chap. 251. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 6-234. ⤴︎
Md. Code Ann., Public Safety § 3-207. ⤴︎