<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Part 2 – Firearms — Access by Minors">
  <section prefix="§" num="59-11" heading="Definitions.">
    <para num="(a)">In &lt;em&gt;general&lt;/em&gt;.
In this Part, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Ammunition.">“Ammunition” means any cartridge, shell, or other device that contains explosive or incendiary material and is designed or intended for use in any firearm.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Child safety lock.">“Child safety lock” means:<para num="(1)">a device that, when locked in place, prevents the trigger from being moved and can itself be removed only by using a key or combination; or</para>
      <para num="(2)">any other device that:<para num="(i)">when locked in place, otherwise renders the firearm inoperable and can itself be removed only by using a key or combination; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">has been approved for this purpose by the Police Commissioner.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Firearm.">“Firearm” means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, or other firearm, except an inoperable antique firearm.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(a)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 91-720</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 98-243</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 14-307</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 22-125</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="59-12" heading="Access by minors prohibited.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Prohibited conduct.">Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not leave a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm that is in close proximity to ammunition, in any location where the person knows or reasonably should know that an unsupervised minor might gain access to the firearm.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Exceptions.">Subsection (a) of this section does not apply if:<para num="(1)">the minor’s access to the firearm is supervised by a person 21 years old or older;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the firearm is in a locked gun cabinet or similar locked location;</para>
      <para num="(3)">the firearm is secured with a child safety lock;</para>
      <para num="(4)">the minor obtained access to the firearm as the result of an unlawful entry to the premises; or</para>
      <para num="(5)">the firearm is in the possession or control of a law enforcement officer while the officer is engaged in official duties.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(b)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 91-720</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 98-243</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="59-13" heading="Safety locks.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Dealers must provide.">
      <para num="(1)">A licensed firearm dealer may not sell, lease, or otherwise transfer a firearm without an accompanying child safety lock suitable for that firearm.</para>
      <para num="(2)">The dealer must provide the child safety lock to the recipient of the firearm when transferring the firearm.  The dealer may charge for the child safety lock.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Notices.">
      <para num="(1)">A licensed firearm dealer who sells, leases, or otherwise transfers a firearm must post conspicuously in the dealer’s place of business:<para num="(i)">a notice of the prohibition in &lt;cite data-path="|19|§59-12"&gt;§ 59-12 of this Part&lt;/cite&gt; against leaving a firearm where an unsupervised minor can obtain access to it; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">a notice of the prohibition in subsection (a) of this section against the transfer of a firearm without an accompanying child safety lock.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">If the transaction occurs outside the dealer’s place of business, or if the dealer does not maintain a place of business in a commercial establishment, the dealer must provide the required notices in writing when transferring the firearm.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(c), (d)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 91-720</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 98-243</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="59-14" heading="Rules and regulations.">
    <text>The Police Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this Part, including but not limited to rules or regulations governing the wording, size, and placement of the notices required by this Part.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(e)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 91-720</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 98-243</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="59-15" reserved="true" />
  <section prefix="§" num="59-16" heading="Penalties.">
    <text>Any person who violates any provision of this Part or of a rule or regulation adopted under this Part is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of $1,000 or to imprisonment for 1 year or both.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(f)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 91-720</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 98-243</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
