How Do I Register A Handgun In Maryland

Here at Albers & Assembly, we are staunch supporters of your Second Subpoena rights. Unfortunately, throughout the United States, these rights are largely under siege, which is why we are here to clinch you that if y'all are facing a criminal matter relating to violating Maryland'due south gun laws, we are here to be your steadfast defender through every step of the legal process going forward.

That being said, we accept compiled this guide to gun laws in Maryland for all individuals, whether facing gun charges or not, which is why we have included essentially everything you could ever need to know about gun laws in the land. Please continue reading and speak with our experienced Maryland criminal defense attorneys to learn more than about Maryland gun laws, how to get a gun allow, what to do if your permit is denied, and how nosotros can help yous fight your gun charges, if necessary.

Gun Laws in Maryland

The state of Maryland has several rules and regulations pertaining to the ownership and use of firearms. As a gun owner, you should keep the following in mind:

You do not need a permit to buy or conduct rifles and shotguns in the state of Maryland. Registration of firearms and the licensing of owners is besides not necessary for rifles or shotguns.
Yous do, however, need a permit to purchase and bear handguns. Registration of firearms and licensing of owners is also necessary for handguns. To utilize for a handgun in Maryland, click hither.
If you do not have a permit, you may not wear or carry a handgun, openly or concealed. Without a permit, you lot are too prohibited from knowingly transporting a handgun in whatever vehicle traveling on public roads, waterways or airways.
Yous may not possess a firearm in Maryland if you are a habitual boozer, a fugitive from the law, are under the age of 21 (for handguns), mental establishment patient of xxx days or more, if you are addicted to a controlled substance, are a convicted felon (or have been convicted of a tearing crime), and more. If you are defenseless unlawfully possessing a firearm, yous may spend up to 10 years in prison, and if y'all have three or more unlawful possession convictions, you may spend at to the lowest degree fifteen years in prison.
Though the auction or transfer of a rifle or shotgun to anyone nether the age of 18 is illegal, it is non illegal to possess a shotgun while under the historic period of xviii.
You may not obliterate or alter the manufacturer's identification mark or number on a firearm. If you do, or even if you are caught in possession of a weapon with an altered/removed ID marker/number, constabulary enforcement will assume you have committed the crime.
Yous may not comport a firearm of whatsoever kind on public school property. If you are found guilty of doing so, you lot may spend up to 5 years in prison
Yous may not have a loaded firearm in an area where yous know, or should reasonably know that someone under the historic period of 16 tin can access information technology.
Even if you take a gun permit, yous all the same may not apply a firearm while nether the influence of drugs or booze.
Antique firearms are exempt from certain state laws, depending on individual circumstances surrounding the example.

Can I Own a Automobile Gun in Maryland?

Though in many cases, the answer to this question is merely no, there are certain circumstances nether which an individual may purchase or own a automobile gun. Those circumstances are as follows:

If the machine gun has been manufactured, sold, or transported for a military force or peace officeholder of the Us
If you tin can show that you possess the car gun for "scientific purposes"
If the motorcar gun is no longer usable as a weapon and you can prove y'all possess it solely every bit a curiosity, ornament or emblem
If the court determines you possess the gun for a purpose that is clearly non aggressive or offensive in whatsoever fashion

That being said, the courts will more often than not consider it illegal to possess a machine gun under the following circumstances, amongst others:

If you failed to annals the machine gun within 24 hours of obtaining information technology (and once every twelvemonth later on that);
If you have been convicted of a crime of violence;
Or, if you lot are an illegal alien.

Penalties For Unlawful Gun Possession in Maryland

There are various penalties you may face for unlawfully possessing a firearm within the country. Some of the penalties for the unlawful possession of a firearm (normally a misdemeanor) in Maryland are equally follows:

Outset Offense: Up to three years of incarceration, as well equally upward to $2,500 in fines
Second Crime: Up to ten years in prison, as well as potential fines
Third or Subsequent Offense: At least 3 years in prison house, though no more 10 years.

If you are facing gun possession charges in Maryland, please do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced Maryland criminal defense force attorneys. Nosotros have helped countless individuals avoid jail fourth dimension in Maryland, and we are ready to assistance you lot practice the same.

What is an Upgraded Charge?

When someone is found in the possession of a weapon while committing a crime, they will most likely face upgraded charges. For example, let'due south say you lot are defenseless committing a robbery, which involves the forcible taking of property from another person or entity. Yet, at the fourth dimension y'all are apprehended, yous are as well in possession of a firearm. In this case, you volition nearly likely have a standard robbery accuse upgraded to an armed robbery charge, which comes with even harsher penalties. If you are someone facing an armed robbery charge in the state of Maryland, you must speak with our experienced Maryland criminal defense attorneys today. We are prepare to protect you from your charges with everything nosotros have.

What is a Red Flag Constabulary?

Many states across the country have enacted Reddish Flag Laws to ensure that certain individuals who may pose a threat to either themselves or others around them do not obtain firearms. The Red Flag Law essentially states that all family members, health care providers, social workers, or law enforcement tin can petition the courtroom to prohibit someone who exhibits concerning behaviors from buying or possessing a firearm. Some of these behaviors include collecting weapons, making violent plans, or threatening another person with violence. If someone is determined to be a threat either to themselves or to lodge, a Maryland approximate will typically result an emergency petition for the curt-term, as well as a longer-term petition for up to one year.

What is the Maryland EXILE program?

The Maryland EXILE program is designed to deter individuals from committing gun crimes, as well every bit to harshly prosecute echo offenders, as well every bit members of violent gangs. Additionally, considering of this program, fifty-fifty a uncomplicated misdemeanor gun charge tin issue in years in prison house upon conviction. The law also gives the State'due south Chaser's Office authority to federally prosecute all those who use guns in crimes involving drugs or violence, as well equally those who have prior criminal convictions. What'due south more, these charges often outcome in pretrial detention, which is why if you accept been charged, you must retain the services of an experienced Maryland criminal defence attorney immediately.

What Types of Handguns Are Illegal in Maryland?

Though in many cases, it is perfectly legal to own a handgun in the state of Maryland, the land prohibits the possession, use, and sale of what are referred to as "assault pistols." If you are someone who is caught owning, using, or selling 1 of these assail pistols, you lot will most likely face harsh consequences, including upwards to three years in prison, equally well as a fine of upwards to $5,000. Some examples of set on pistols are as follows:

AA Artillery AP-9 semiautomatic pistol
A.Due west.S. type semiautomatic pistol
Skorpion semiautomatic pistol
Spectre double-action semiautomatic pistol (Sile, F.I.Eastward., Mitchell)
UZI semiautomatic pistol
Weaver Artillery semiautomatic Nighthawk pistol
Wilkinson semiautomatic "Linda" pistol
Bushmaster semiautomatic pistol
Claridge HI-TEC semiautomatic pistol
D Max Industries semiautomatic pistol
Ingram MAC ten/11 semiautomatic pistol
Partisan Avenger and the SWD Cobray
Intratec TEC-9/DC-ix semiautomatic pistol in whatsoever centerfire variation
Encom MK-IV, MP-9, or MP-45 semiautomatic pistol
Heckler and Koch semiautomatic SP-89 pistol
Holmes MP-83 semiautomatic pistol

Potential Defenses Against Gun Crimes in Maryland

When charged with a gun crime, you will need a squad of battle-tested attorneys who accept what it takes to become head-to-head with even the harshest prosecutors. Of class, every unmarried case we take is different, which is why we provide you with the personalized attention yous deserve and need, analyzing every single attribute of your case, leaving no stone unturned. That beingness said, there are several potential defenses we have used in the past to keep our clients jail-gratis. 1 of those defenses includes making a case that the absorbing officeholder did not accept likely cause to search your auto or home. When police enforcement conducts illegal searches and finds firearms equally a issue, this very oftentimes disqualifies their charges against defendants.

Another type of defense nosotros may use is what is known as "constructive possession." This is when y'all are found with a gun, however, the gun was not directly in your possession at the time of your arrest. Though this tin exist hard to prove, a seasoned Maryland criminal defense force attorney may successfully make this argument on your behalf, proving that you are not, in fact, guilty of possession beyond a reasonable doubt. Every bit stated before, no two cases are the aforementioned, which is why our business firm does far more than than provide clients with cookie-cutter defenses; instead, we will tailor your defense to your unique situation, ensuring you receive the quality legal representation you deserve and need to go on living life as a happy, productive, and jail-free denizen.

How to Go a Handgun Permit in Maryland

To utilize for a handgun in Maryland, you will have to do several things. Start, you must have your digital fingerprints taken at a Maryland fingerprint processing center. From hither, you will submit those digital fingerprints to the Maryland Land Constabulary. Next, y'all will submit your application to the Maryland State Police for the Maryland Handgun Qualification License. From here, you will complete the 16-60 minutes Firearms Safety Training Course. At this point, you will receive your HQL menu. And so, you will receive your HQL bill of fare, and verify it with a firearm dealer. Finally, you volition complete your application to buy a handgun, accept that awarding submitted past a dealer to the Maryland Land Law, and after waiting seven days, that application should be canonical, and you will be immune to purchase the gun from the dealer. At this indicate, the dealer volition transfer the gun to you, and you will own your handgun. To apply for a handgun in Maryland, please click here.

What Happens if I am Denied a Gun Permit in Maryland?

Unfortunately, there are several scenarios in which an private will wrongly be denied his/her right to own a handgun in the land of Maryland. If this has happened to you, you will need to hire an experienced chaser who is ready to defend your Second Amendment rights. The attorneys at Albers & Associates have been doing exactly this for years, and we are more than fix to do the aforementioned for you.

Contact our experienced Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys

Nosotros hope this guide was helpful, every bit information technology is our goal to provide all citizens of Maryland with nothing other than useful data, and a helping hand, if need be. If y'all are someone who has recently been charged with a gun crime in the state of Maryland, you lot will need experienced legal counsel at your side. Fortunately, y'all have just found that house in Albers & Associates. We know how intimidating the criminal justice system can be, which is why we are defended to defending your Second Amendment rights through every pace of the process. Please practice not hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable and aggressive Maryland criminal defense attorneys today.