Regulated Firearm Purchases (2024)

Is it lawful for a medical cannabis patient or a personal user of cannabis to own or possess a firearm?

<div class="ExternalClass37C0FCF0387245FA8BB5D293D1EBA54C"><p>​No. Federal law bars medical cannabis patients and personal cannabis users from purchasing or possessing firearms. The Federal Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C.&#160;§ 922(g)(3), prohibits any person who is an &quot;unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802))&quot;&#160;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&#160;purportedly used for medicinal purposes, even if such use is sanctioned by State law.</p><p>Medical cannabis patient information contained in Maryland's patient registry is considered confidential, protected health information and held in compliance with federal HIPPA regulations by the Maryland Cannabis Commission. However, the Maryland State Police query individuals who seek to&#160;purchase a firearm&#160;about their status as a medical cannabis patient or personal use of cannabis and bar those who disclose that they are a medical cannabis patients or a personal user of cannabis from making the transaction. Individuals who provide false information by failing to disclose that they are a medical cannabis patient or a personal user​&#160;of cannabis 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.&#160;​<br></p></div>

Do I need a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) in order to purchase a lower receiver?

<div class="ExternalClassC3726805FE154405BB4F989545801EBE"><p>​No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun is classified by the State as a &quot;firearm,&quot; but not a &quot;handgun&quot;​. A Handgun Qualification License (HQL) is only needed if you are purchasing a handgun that is not classified as a curio and relic.</p></div>

May I build my lower receiver purchased at any time into a handgun?

<div class="ExternalClassCF3D0444E207434394B619299C946D6D"><p>​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.​</p></div>

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

<div class="ExternalClassE25F5173F6E844CC94BDE561EAB1E3AF"><p>​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.</p></div>

Who will be responsible for fingerprinting applicants?

<div class="ExternalClass273256E79EC54A90BC96F068E74269C7"><p>​The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Please refer to the Public Safety and Correctional Services website for fingerprinting details and locations click <a href="https&#58;//www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml" target="_blank"> <strong>Here</strong>​</a>.<br></p>​ </div>

What is a habitual user?

<div class="ExternalClass215581DFC4A84C9D8943B9E2AC2A57E7"><p>​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.​</p></div>

What is a habitual drunkard?

<div class="ExternalClass99A333E9D612437AB8EFE32915AFEFFB"><p>​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.​</p></div>

Will I need to obtain a Handgun Qualification License in order to purchase a regulated firearm

<div class="ExternalClassFA7640C4D04F4ECCBC10635AD9A24D96"><p>​Yes. Please see the Handgun Qualification License page for more information​.</p></div>

Can you check my record prior to filling out the paperwork for a regulated firearm?

<div class="ExternalClassAFB0787073104300AF40C43F532DCD2F"><p>​No, Maryland law does not allow the Maryland State Police to access your criminal record without first having an application on file.</p></div>

The Maryland State Police recently confirmed my eligibility and I purchased a handgun last month. Why am I on review again?

<div class="ExternalClass3475230101E940D98A76550B808460A3"><p>​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.</p></div>

Can I complete an additional application for the purchase of a regulated firearm even though I am currently waiting for my previous application to be approved?

<div class="ExternalClassD30902598E33466696423570D9C834A3"><p>​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.​</p></div>

Why am I placed on review?

<div class="ExternalClass8FB07665D55748A693EE0B7048CDE5C7"><p>​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.​</p></div>

How do I check the status of my application?

<div class="ExternalClass447566DB29DA48CEB89188FFA7206214"><p>​Applications being processed by the Firearms Registration Section can be found at the top of the home page. If you applied prior to the date listed and have not been contacted, or if you have additional questions or concerns, please send your status check request to&#58; <a href="mailto&#58;msp.firearmsregistration@maryland.gov%E2%80%8B">msp.firearmsregistration@maryland.gov​​</a></p></div>