Statutes: Maryland

Preemption by State

(a) This section supersedes any restriction that a local jurisdiction in the State imposes on the possession by a private party of a regulated firearm, and the State preempts the right of any local jurisdiction to regulate the possession of a regulated firearm.

Possession of regulated firearm prohibited

(b) Subject to § 5-133.3 of this subtitle, a person may not possess a regulated firearm if the person:

(1) has been convicted of a disqualifying crime;

(2) has been convicted of a violation classified as a common law crime and received a term of imprisonment of more than 2 years;

(3)(i) has been convicted on or after October 1, 2023, of a second or subsequent violation of § 4-104 of the Criminal Law Article; or

(ii) has been convicted on or after October 1, 2023, of a violation of § 4-104 of the Criminal Law Article if the violation resulted in the use of a loaded firearm by a minor causing death or serious bodily injury to the minor or another person;

(4) subject to subsection (b-1) of this section, is on supervised probation after being convicted:

(i) of a crime punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or more;

(ii) for a violation of § 21-902(b) or (c) of the Transportation Article; or

(iii) for violating a protective order under § 4-509 of the Family Law Article;

(5) is a fugitive from justice;

(6) is a habitual drunkard;

(7) is addicted to a controlled dangerous substance or is a habitual user;

(8) suffers from a mental disorder as defined in § 10-101(i)(2) of the Health–General Article and has a history of violent behavior against the person or another;

(9) has been found incompetent to stand trial under § 3-106 of the Criminal Procedure Article;

(10) has been found not criminally responsible under § 3-110 of the Criminal Procedure Article;

(11) has been voluntarily admitted for more than 30 consecutive days to a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health–General Article;

(12) has been involuntarily committed to a facility as defined in § 10-101 of the Health–General Article;

(13) is under the protection of a guardian appointed by a court under § 13-201(c) or § 13-705 of the Estates and Trusts Article, except for cases in which the appointment of a guardian is solely a result of a physical disability;

(14) except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, is a respondent against whom:

(i) a current non ex parte civil protective order has been entered under § 4-506 of the Family Law Article; or

(ii) an order for protection, as defined in § 4-508.1 of the Family Law Article, has been issued by a court of another state or a Native American tribe and is in effect; or

(15) if under the age of 30 years at the time of possession, has been adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for an act that would be a disqualifying crime if committed by an adult.

Construction of section

(b-1) Subsection (b)(4) of this section may not be construed to prohibit possession of a regulated firearm by a person who was not convicted of but received only probation before judgment for an offense listed in subsection (b)(4) of this section.

Penalty for possession by convicted felon

(c)(1) A person may not possess a regulated firearm if the person was previously convicted of:

(i) a crime of violence;

(ii) a violation of § 5-602, § 5-603, § 5-604, § 5-605, § 5-612, § 5-613, § 5-614, § 5-621, or § 5-622 of the Criminal Law Article; or

(iii) an offense under the laws of another state or the United States that would constitute one of the crimes listed in item (i) or (ii) of this paragraph if committed in this State.

(2)(i) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 5 years and not exceeding 15 years.

(ii) The court may not suspend any part of the mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.

(iii) Except as otherwise provided in § 4-305 of the Correctional Services Article, the person is not eligible for parole during the mandatory minimum sentence.

(3) At the time of the commission of the offense, if a period of more than 5 years has elapsed since the person completed serving the sentence for the most recent conviction under paragraph (1)(i) or (ii) of this subsection, including all imprisonment, mandatory supervision, probation, and parole:

(i) the imposition of the mandatory minimum sentence is within the discretion of the court; and

(ii) the mandatory minimum sentence may not be imposed unless the State’s Attorney notifies the person in writing at least 30 days before trial of the State’s intention to seek the mandatory minimum sentence.

(4) Each violation of this subsection is a separate crime.

(5) A person convicted under this subsection is not prohibited from participating in a drug treatment program under § 8-507 of the Health–General Article because of the length of the sentence.

Possession by person under age of 21 years prohibited; exceptions

(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person who is under the age of 21 years may not possess a regulated firearm.

(2) Unless a person is otherwise prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm, this subsection does not apply to:

(i) the temporary transfer or possession of a regulated firearm if the person is:

1. under the supervision of another who is at least 21 years old and who is not prohibited by State or federal law from possessing a firearm; and

2. acting with the permission of the parent or legal guardian of the transferee or person in possession;

(ii) the transfer by inheritance of title, and not of possession, of a regulated firearm;

(iii) a member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard while performing official duties;

(iv) the temporary transfer or possession of a regulated firearm if the person is:

1. participating in marksmanship training of a recognized organization; and

2. under the supervision of a qualified instructor;

(v) a person who is required to possess a regulated firearm for employment and who holds a permit under Subtitle 3 of this title; or

(vi) the possession of a firearm for self-defense or the defense of others against a trespasser into the residence of the person in possession or into a residence in which the person in possession is an invited guest.

Transport of regulated firearms

(e) This section does not apply to a respondent transporting a regulated firearm if the respondent is carrying a civil protective order requiring the surrender of the regulated firearm and:

(1) the regulated firearm is unloaded;

(2) the respondent has notified the law enforcement unit, barracks, or station that the regulated firearm is being transported in accordance with the civil protective order; and

(3) the respondent transports the regulated firearm directly to the law enforcement unit, barracks, or station.

Surrendering of regulated firearms to State or local law enforcement agency or federally licensed firearms dealer

(f) This section does not apply to the carrying or transporting of a regulated firearm by a person who is carrying a court order requiring the surrender of the regulated firearm, if:

(1) the firearm is unloaded;

(2) the person has notified a law enforcement unit, barracks, or station that the firearm is being transported in accordance with the order; and

(3) the person transports the firearm directly to a State or local law enforcement agency or a federally licensed firearms dealer.

§ 4-104 of the Criminal Law Article

(g) Subject to subsection (b)(3) of this section, a person who has been convicted on or after October 1, 2023, of a violation of § 4-104 of the Criminal Law Article may not possess a regulated firearm for 5 years following the date of the conviction.