# Public Safety (GPS)

## Title 5. Firearms

### Subtitle 2. Rifles and Shotguns

#### Section 5-205

(a) This subtitle does not apply to a rifle or shotgun that is an antique firearm as defined in Sec. 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 Sec. 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 Sec. 5-101 of this title;

  (5) is addicted to a controlled dangerous substance or is a habitual user as defined in Sec. 5-101 of this title;

  (6) suffers from a mental disorder as defined in Sec. 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 Sec. 3-106 of the Criminal Procedure Article;

  (8) has been found not criminally responsible under Sec. 3-110 of the Criminal Procedure Article;

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

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

  (11) is under the protection of a guardian appointed by a court under Sec. 13-201(c) or Sec. 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 Sec. 4-506 of the Family Law Article; or

    (ii) an order for protection, as defined in Sec. 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 Sec. 5-133.3 of this title.

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