FAQS
You can visit the Virginia State Police website vsp.virginia.gov and locate Form called Application for Concealed Handgun Permit, #SIP-248
This Form can be used for Resident Permits; Non-Resident Permits; & Renewals
Designated Firearms Collector
Cost: $0
A Designated Collector is a status granted and approved by the Maryland State Police upon submission of an application. It is granted to an individual who devotes time and attention to acquiring certain types of regulated firearms for the enhancement of the collector's personal collection, or possesses a Federal Firearms License (Collector of Curio and Relics). A Designated Collector is not authorized to act as a firearms dealer.
If you opt not to complete this collector's application, a person may not purchase more than one regulated firearm in a 30-day period or two regulated firearms in a 60-day period.
Complete the one-page application, and get it notarized.
Mail your Collectors License to address listed on Document: Maryland State Police Licensing Division 1111 Reisterstown Road Pikesville, MD 21208 Attention: Firearms Registration Unit If approved, You will receive a letter explaining that you have been granted the status of a “Designated Collector”. This status allows for multiple firearm purchases.
Remember to be a responsible firearms owner and always keep all Firearms in a safe place out of the reach of children and restricted persons.
Yes. However, you will not be able to take the firearm home until you have received your Approved "Handgun Qualification License Certificate" from MSP.
Until you possess the actual certificate, the handgun you purchased will remain with the Firearms Dealer, just remember that storage fees can accrue after a specific time -- check with the FFL Dealer for more details.
Once you possess the actual HQL Certificate, you can start the transfer process to begin transferring your firearm to you.
https://licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov/MSPBridgeClient/#/home
License Types The applications/registrations available on the Maryland State Police Licensing Portal include the: 77R, Handgun Permit (Wear/Carry Permit), Machine Gun Registration, and Maryland Regulated Firearm Dealer.
The Maryland Handgun Roster may be accessed via the MDSP Licensing Portal.
Click the link below, go do the bottom of the page and You will see "Handgun Roster" CLICK HERE
The Handgun Roster is a list of handguns manufactured after January 1, 1985 that have received final approval for purchase in Maryland by the Handgun Roster Board and that are not otherwise prohibited by law.
Select a manufacturer from the list to see models, model numbers, and calibers associated to the chosen manufacturer.
CLICK: FILTER BY MANUFACTURERS
Disapproved List Updated 10/2022 The following handguns have been specifically disapproved by the Maryland Handgun Roster Board for inclusion on its list of handguns approved for manufacture and sale in Maryland. The list reflects action of the Board as of the date indicated above. Handguns manufactured after 1985 can only be sold in Maryland if the Handgun Roster Board has specifically approved them for sale and placed them on the Official Handgun Roster. Therefore, the fact that a handgun does not appear on this list of disapproved guns does not automatically mean that it is an approved gun. To see whether a handgun is approved for sale or manufacture in Maryland, call 410-653-4247.
*Go to BOTTOM of Page and Click "Disapproved List"
In the state of Maryland, Regulated Firearm refers to a handgun or revolver, approved by Maryland State Police for purchase by Adults 21 and up. A Non-Regulated Firearm refers to a Long gun such as a Shotgun or Rifle, and can be purchased by Adults 18 and up. Note: under Age 21, there is a waiting period of up to 10 days may apply where notification from NICS.
PUBLIC SAFETY TITLE 5. FIREARMS SUBTITLE 1. REGULATED FIREARMS Md. PUBLIC SAFETY Code Ann. § 5-101 (2013) Definitions of a Regulated Firearm § 5-101(r) Regulated firearm. --
"Regulated firearm" means:
(1) a handgun; or
(2) a firearm that is any of the following specific assault weapons or their copies, regardless of which company produced and manufactured that assault weapon:
(i) American Arms Spectre da Semiautomatic carbine;
(ii) AK-47 in all forms;
(iii) Algimec AGM-1 type semi-auto;
(iv) AR 100 type semi-auto;
(v) AR 180 type semi-auto;
(vi) Argentine L.S.R. semi-auto;
(vii) Australian Automatic Arms SAR type semi-auto;
(viii) Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1 and 1927 semi-automatics;
(ix) Barrett light .50 cal. semi-auto;
(x) Beretta AR70 type semi-auto;
(xi) Bushmaster semi-auto rifle;
(xii) Calico models M-100 and M-900;
(xiii) CIS SR 88 type semi-auto;
(xiv) Claridge HI TEC C-9 carbines;
(xv) Colt AR-15, CAR-15, and all imitations except Colt AR-15 Sporter H-BAR rifle; (xvi) Daewoo MAX 1 and MAX 2, aka AR 100, 110C, K-1, and K-2;
(xvii) Dragunov Chinese made semi-auto;
(xviii) Famas semi-auto (.223 caliber);
(xix) Feather AT-9 semi-auto;
(xx) FN LAR and FN FAL assault rifle;
(xxi) FNC semi-auto type carbine;
(xxii) F.I.E./Franchi LAW 12 and SPAS 12 assault shotgun;
(xxiii) Steyr-AUG-SA semi-auto;
(xxiv) Galil models AR and ARM semi-auto;
(xxv) Heckler and Koch HK-91 A3, HK-93 A2, HK-94 A2 and A3;
(xxvi) Holmes model 88 shotgun;
(xxvii) Avtomat Kalashnikov semiautomatic rifle in any format;
(xxviii) Manchester Arms "Commando" MK-45, MK-9;
(xxix) Mandell TAC-1 semi-auto carbine;
(xxx) Mossberg model 500 Bullpup assault shotgun;
(xxxi) Sterling Mark 6;
(xxxii) P.A.W.S. carbine;
(xxxiii) Ruger mini-14 folding stock model (.223 caliber);
(xxxiv) SIG 550/551 assault rifle (.223 caliber);
(xxxv) SKS with detachable magazine;
(xxxvi) AP-74 Commando type semi-auto;
(xxxvii) Springfield Armory BM-59, SAR-48, G3, SAR-3, M-21 sniper rifle, M1A, excluding the M1 Garand;
(xxxviii) Street sweeper assault type shotgun;
(xxxix) Striker 12 assault shotgun in all formats;
(xl) Unique F11 semi-auto type;
(xli) Daewoo USAS 12 semi-auto shotgun;
(xlii) UZI 9mm carbine or rifle;
(xliii) Valmet M-76 and M-78 semi-auto;
(xliv) Weaver Arms "Nighthawk" semi-auto carbine; or
(xlv) Wilkinson Arms 9mm semi-auto "Terry".
Md. PUBLIC SAFETY Code Ann. § 5-101
Yes, refer to the Reviewed Firearm List for banned assault long guns or copycat weapons.
If you are considering the purchase of a firearm and are unsure if the firearm is banned, contact the Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer you are utilizing for your purchase. Maryland regulated firearms dealers are best suited to answer questions about the various types of firearms available. If your regulated firearms dealer is unable to provide assistance, contact the firearms manufacturer to obtain additional information about the weapon.
Some examples of the questions to ask are listed below:
1) Is this weapon semi-automatic? If not, it is not banned and you do not need to continue.
2) If this is a rifle, is it centerfire? If not, then it is not banned and you do not need to continue.
3) Is this weapon considered to be a copy of a banned weapon? If so, then it is banned and may not be purchased, sold, or transferred.
4) If this is a semi-automatic centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine, does it have any two of the following: a folding stock; a grenade launcher or flare launcher; or a flash suppressor; If so, then it is banned and may not be purchased, sold, or transferred.
5) If this is a rifle, does it have a fixed magazine that holds more than 10 rounds? If so, then it is banned and may not be purchased, sold, or transferred.
6) If this is a rifle, what is the overall length of the weapon? If the stock is fully extended and there are no removable additions to the barrel, is the weapon less than 29 inches? If so, then it is banned and may not be purchased, sold, or transferred.
7) If this is a semi-automatic shotgun, does the weapon have a revolving cylinder? If so, then it is banned and may not be purchased, sold, or transferred.
8) If this is a semi-automatic shotgun, does the weapon have a folding stock? If so, then it is banned and may not be purchased, sold, or transferred.
Maryland State Police Licensing Division Reviewed Firearms List
The Maryland State Police is responsible for reaching its own conclusions with respect to whether particular firearms are copies of enumerated banned firearms. In reaching those conclusions, the Maryland State Police adheres to the process articulated in the Firearms Bulletin #10-2 dated November 4, 2010 a copy of which may be found on our website. To that end, the Maryland State Police has determined that, for enforcement purposes, a firearm is considered a copy if it is both cosmetically similar to and has completely interchangeable internal components necessary for the full operation and function of one of the enumerated banned weapons. This list represents those determinations.
It includes weapons that are:
1. Firearms defined under State law as "assault long guns," including firearms specifically enumerated under § 5-101(r)(2) of the Public Safety Article and their copies.
2.Firearms defined under State law as "assault pistols," including firearms specifically enumerated under § 4-303(c) of the Criminal Law Article and their copies.
3. Long guns as to which the Department has reached a conclusion with respect to whether they are banned assault long guns or copycat weapons.
Reviewed Firearms List
SEARCH By: Manufacturer: By Description: By Status: By Justification: By Date of Status:
CLICK LINK BELOW to conduct your research
HQL's are required for regulated handguns; long guns are not regulated by MSP
NOTE: Some long guns are classified as Handguns on the Handgun Roster if they meet certain specifications as just to mention a few, and does require an HQL:
For Example: A Mossberg Maverick shockwave shotgun; having a barrel under 18 inches; it is classified in Maryland as a Pistol, and requires a ATF Form 4473 to be conducted and processed through MSP as a regulated firearm, and it ALSO requires you to possess a copy of your HQL Letter.
Note: It is recommended that you conduct your own research online prior to purchasing a firearm by simply going to the ATF website, and search by classification type or "Types of Firearms".
You can also conduct further research online by Google and research an ATF Form 4473 by the "Identity of a Rifle" or by the "Identify of a Shotgun"
Note: A Rifle or Shotgun has to be longer than 29" in the State of Maryland; you cannot own a long gun under 29" from the stock to the barrel; it is illegal in Maryland.
Any rifle that is under a 16" barrel is, a) a pistol or b) a SBR (short barrel rifle).
As a SBR, it has a stock on it; a pistol only has a pistol grip; example like draco, is considered a "pistol".
On shotguns, it's 18.5 inches is considered a "pistol" or or SBS (short barrel shotgun)
TO LEARN MORE, you can visit Maryland State Police website and review the Handgun Roster to research regulated handguns and for long guns, go to "'Firearms Search by Manufacturer" and see what is banned or not banned
Upon receipt of the application, and all required documents and information, a review of the application packet will begin. Those applications determined to be incomplete, inaccurate and/or with purposeful omissions will be returned to the sender. A criminal investigation of the applicant and/or submitter may be initiated if false information is supplied. Returned applications are not considered received by the Licensing Division until they are returned satisfactorily completed with the necessary attachments and fees. A background investigation will be initiated on those applications accurately submitted in their entirety. The date the background is initiated depends on the accuracy, truthfulness, and completeness of the submission. The Maryland State Police will investigate the character, reputation, and qualifications of each applicant. The State Police shall conduct a computer generated criminal history background investigation of the applicant to determine if the applicant is prohibited by State or federal law from purchasing or possessing a regulated firearm or if the applicant is engaged in the business of selling firearms for profit. Applicants found to be prohibited by State or federal law from purchasing or possessing a regulated firearm, or is engaged in the business, the application shall be disapproved. Upon completion of the investigation, the Maryland State Police will evaluate the information provided and issue permits appropriately.
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.
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.