§ 5–205
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-205 (2026)
Title 5. Firearms
Subtitle 2. Rifles and Shotguns
§ 5–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This subtitle does not apply to a rifle or shotgun that is an antique firearm as defined in § 4–201 of the Criminal Law Article.
(b)
A person may not possess a rifle or shotgun if the person:
(1)
has been convicted of a disqualifying crime as defined in § 5–101 of this title;
(2)
has been convicted of a violation classified as a crime under common law and received a term of imprisonment of more than 2 years;
(3)
is a fugitive from justice;
(4)
is a habitual drunkard as defined in § 5–101 of this title;
(5)
is addicted to a controlled dangerous substance or is a habitual user as defined in § 5–101 of this title;
(6)
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;
(7)
has been found incompetent to stand trial under § 3–106 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
(8)
has been found not criminally responsible under § 3–110 of the Criminal Procedure Article;
(9)
has been voluntarily admitted for more than 30 consecutive days to a facility as defined in § 10–101 of the Health – General Article;
(10)
has been involuntarily committed to a facility as defined in § 10–101 of the Health – General Article;
(11)
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;
(12)
except as provided in subsection (c) 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
(13)
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.
(c)
This section does not apply to:
(1)
a person transporting a rifle or shotgun if the person is carrying a civil protective order requiring the surrender of the rifle or shotgun and:
(i)
the rifle or shotgun is unloaded;
(ii)
the person has notified the law enforcement unit, barracks, or station that the rifle or shotgun is being transported in accordance with the civil protective order; and
(iii)
the person transports the rifle or shotgun directly to the law enforcement unit, barracks, or station; or
(2)
the carrying or transporting of a rifle or shotgun by a person who is carrying a court order requiring the surrender of the rifle or shotgun, if:
(i)
the rifle or shotgun is unloaded;
(ii)
the person has notified a law enforcement unit, barracks, or station that the rifle or shotgun is being transported in accordance with the order; and
(iii)
the person transports the rifle or shotgun directly to a State or local law enforcement agency or a federally licensed firearms dealer.
(d)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
(e)
A person who is disqualified from owning a rifle or shotgun under subsection (b)(6), (7), (8), (9), (10), or (11) of this section may seek relief from the disqualification in accordance with § 5–133.3 of this title.