§ 5–207
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 5-207 (2026)
Title 5. Firearms
Subtitle 2. Rifles and Shotguns
§ 5–207LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section supersedes any restriction that a local jurisdiction in the State imposes on the transfer by a private party of a rifle or shotgun, and the State preempts the right of any local jurisdiction to regulate the transfer of a rifle or shotgun.
(b)
In this section, “loan” includes a temporary gratuitous exchange of a rifle or shotgun.
(c)
A licensee or any other person may not sell, rent, transfer, or loan a rifle or shotgun to a purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient who the licensee or other person knows or has reasonable cause to believe:
(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 common law crime 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 purchaser, lessee, transferee, recipient, or another, unless the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient has received a certificate from the Maryland Department of Health relieving the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient of the disqualification;
(7)
has been found incompetent to stand trial under § 3–106 of the Criminal Procedure Article, unless the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient has received a certificate from the Maryland Department of Health relieving the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient of the disqualification;
(8)
has been found not criminally responsible under § 3–110 of the Criminal Procedure Article, unless the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient has received a certificate from the Maryland Department of Health relieving the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient of the disqualification;
(9)
has been voluntarily admitted for more than 30 consecutive days to a facility as defined in § 10–101 of the Health – General Article, unless the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient has received a certificate from the Maryland Department of Health relieving the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient of the disqualification;
(10)
has been involuntarily committed for more than 30 consecutive days to a facility as defined in § 10–101 of the Health – General Article, unless the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient has received a certificate from the Maryland Department of Health relieving the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient of the disqualification;
(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, unless the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient has received a certificate from the Maryland Department of Health relieving the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient of the disqualification;
(12)
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 Native American tribe and is in effect;
(13)
if under the age of 30 years at the time of the transaction, has been adjudicated delinquent by a juvenile court for an act that would be a disqualifying crime if committed by an adult;
(14)
is visibly under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
(15)
is a participant in a straw purchase; or
(16)
intends to use the rifle or shotgun to:
(i)
commit a crime; or
(ii)
cause harm to the purchaser, lessee, transferee, or recipient or another person.
(d)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.