Maryland Gun Laws

Firearm (1) "Firearm" refers to a weapon that expels, is designed to expel, or can readily be converted to expel a projectile through the action of an explosive; or (2) The Frame or Receiver of such a weapon. (3) "Firearm" also includes a Starter Gun.

Regulated Firearm Laws (1) "Regulated Firearm" means a Handgun or BANNED Assault Pistols; or (2) A Firearm that includes specific BANNED Assault Weapons/Copycats, or their copies, regardless of the manufacturer.

Maryland Firearm Definitions (1) "Handgun" refers to a Pistol, Revolver, or any Firearm that is easily concealed on a person, as defined by Maryland firearm regulations. Federal Law (N.F.A.) defines "Concealable" as a Rifle or Shotgun with an overall length under 26.00". (2) "Handgun" is also a Firearm with a Barrel shorter than 16 inches; or (3) "Handgun" may include a Short-Barreled Shotgun if the Barrel is less than 16.00" long; (4) "Handgun" includes a Short-Barreled Rifle; (5) "Handgun" includes Any Other Weapon; (6) "Handgun" does not comprise a Shotgun, Rifle, or Antique Firearm; (7) "Handgun" includes Signal, Starter, and Blank Pistols.

Rifle (1) "Rifle" is a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder and (2) is engineered to use explosive energy in a fixed Metallic Cartridge to fire a single Projectile through a Rifled Bore for each trigger pull.

Short Barreled Rifle (1) "Short Barreled Rifle" is defined as having one or more Barrels shorter than 16 inches; or (2) A Weapon with an overall length under 26 inches made from a Rifle or Handgun by modification.

Shotgun (1) "Shotgun" is designed to be fired from the shoulder and (2) is made to utilize explosive energy in a fixed Shotgun Shell to fire one or more projectiles through smooth bore for each trigger pull.

Short Barreled Shotgun (1) "Short Barreled Shotgun" is defined as having one or more barrels shorter than 18 inches; or (2) A Weapon with an overall length of less than 26 inches made from a Shotgun through modification.

Maryland's gun ownership regulations state that Semi-Automatic Assault Pistols are BANNED unless they were OWNED and Registered with the MSP by June 1, 1994. An Assault Pistol can be any of the specified firearms or their copies, regardless of the manufacturer, such as the AA Arms AP-9 semiautomatic pistol, Bushmaster semiautomatic pistol, and others listed in the previous content.

Similarly, Semi-Automatic Assault Rifles are BANNED unless they were OWNED BEFORE 10/1/2013. This includes various firearms like the AK-47 and AR-15, among others.

Under Maryland firearm regulations, a "Copycat weapon" refers to specific semi-automatic rifles or pistols with features that classify them under stricter laws. Notably, Semi-Automatic, Centerfire, Copycat Rifles are BANNED unless they were owned prior to 10/1/2013.

Regulated Handguns, Short Barreled Rifles, and Short Barreled Shotguns are subject to a mandatory 7-day waiting period in Maryland. To purchase such firearms, individuals must be Maryland residents and possess a Maryland-issued ID. Certain exemptions apply, such as for military personnel.

In addition, Maryland law provides guidelines for the registration of regulated firearms for new residents and specifies that a person must register firearms made after 1985 on the Maryland Handgun Roster.

Maryland also has strict protocols for the loaning of firearms, transport laws, and possession regulations, particularly concerning minors and firearm safety. All these laws are designed to promote responsible gun ownership and ensure public safety in accordance with Maryland firearm regulations.