# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 4. Weapon Crimes

### Subtitle 3. Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines

#### Section 4-303

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not:

  (1) transport an assault weapon into the State; or

  (2) possess, sell, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, or receive an assault weapon.

(b)

  (1) A person who lawfully possessed an assault pistol before June 1, 1994, and who registered the assault pistol with the Secretary of State Police before August 1, 1994, may:

    (i) continue to possess and transport the assault pistol; or

    (ii) while carrying a court order requiring the surrender of the assault pistol, transport the assault pistol directly to a law enforcement unit, barracks, or station, a State or local law enforcement agency, or a federally licensed firearms dealer, as applicable, if the person has notified a law enforcement unit, barracks, or station that the person is transporting the assault pistol in accordance with a court order and the assault pistol is unloaded.

  (2) A licensed firearms dealer may continue to possess, sell, offer for sale, or transfer an assault long gun or a copycat weapon that the licensed firearms dealer lawfully possessed on or before October 1, 2013.

  (3) A person who lawfully possessed, has a purchase order for, or completed an application to purchase an assault long gun or a copycat weapon before October 1, 2013, may:

    (i) possess and transport the assault long gun or copycat weapon; or

    (ii) while carrying a court order requiring the surrender of the assault long gun or copycat weapon, transport the assault long gun or copycat weapon directly to a law enforcement unit, barracks, or station, a State or local law enforcement agency, or a federally licensed firearms dealer, as applicable, if the person has notified a law enforcement unit, barracks, or station that the person is transporting the assault long gun or copycat weapon in accordance with a court order and the assault long gun or copycat weapon is unloaded.

  (4) A person may transport an assault weapon to or from:

    (i) an ISO 17025 accredited, National Institute of Justice-approved ballistics testing laboratory; or

    (ii) a facility or entity that manufactures or provides research and development testing, analysis, or engineering for personal protective equipment or vehicle protection systems.

  (5) A federally licensed firearms dealer may receive and possess an assault weapon received from a person in accordance with a court order to transfer firearms under Sec. 6-234 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

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Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)