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Maryland Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions Answered

 

​Is it lawful for a medical cannabis patient to own or possess a firearm?

No. Federal law bars medical cannabis patients from purchasing or possessing firearms. The Federal Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), prohibits any person who is an ‘unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)’ 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 purportedly used for medicinal purposes, even if such use is sanctioned by State law.

Medical cannabis patient information contained in Maryland’s patient registry is considered confidential, protected health information and held in compliance with federal HIPAA regulations by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. However, the Maryland State Police query individuals who seek to purchase a gun about their status as a medical cannabis patient and bar those who disclose that they are medical cannabis patients from making the transaction. Individuals who provide false information by failing to disclose that they are a medical cannabis patient 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.

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​Is it legal to purchase a Micro RONI in the State of Maryland

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. ​​

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​Is an AK-47 handgun banned?

​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.​

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​Is there a law for storing firearms in the home?

​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 child would gain access to the firearm. (For safety purposes, the stored firearm should be unloaded and the use of a trigger lock is recommended).​

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    • How can I legally transport firearms within / through Maryland?

      ​They must be unloaded, in a carrying case, holster with a flap and the ammunition should be separate. It would be best to keep the unloaded weapon 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 please contact our Licensing Division​.

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  • FIREARMS COLLECTORS

    • Do I get a card with my collector status?

      ​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.​

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    • Am I licensed when I become a firearms collector?

      ​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.​

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    • May I build my lower receiver purchased after 10/1/2013 into an assault long gun?

      ​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.​

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    • What if the applicant is a corporation?

      ​​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.​

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  • GENERAL INFORMATION

    • How do I obtain employment verification with MSP?

      Effective January 1, 2016, fax requests will not be honored.

      E-mail employment verification requests, along with the release authorization to msp.hrd@maryland.gov.  You will receive a response to your request within 72 hours.

      To contact by phone, call 410-653-4200 and ask for the Personnel Administration Section. 

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    • What is a habitual user?

      ​A 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.​​

       

    • What is a habitual drunkard?

      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.​​​

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  • REGULATED FIREARMS PURCHASES

  • TRANSFER PERMIT

    • What is the process upon receipt of my application?

      ​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.

    • What do I do if my name or address changes?

      ​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

    • Can I legally transport firearms interstate?

      ​​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.​

    • Can I legally transport my regulated firearm to the range?

      ​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 at http://mlis.state.md.us/ You can access the Federal requirements through www.atf.gov 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.

    • Can we travel to other states for competitions and return with our already owned banned firearms? Can someone come from another state, for competition in Maryland, with a banned rifle?

      ​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.

  • Untracable Firearms

  • WEAR AND CARRY PERMIT

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