Maryland gun laws?

[jaseman]

I have a friend who is living in Maryland (I know, I know) who is contemplating a handgun for home defense. She has come to me, asking for advice, as the wife and I are the only people she knows who own guns.

Anyone know the process for legally purchasing, and keeping a handgun in Maryland? Or where to look for what the law is, in plain English?

I'm perfectly comfortable giving her advice on hardware and training, but want to make sure I steer her in the right direction legally.

[Curmudgeon]

Go here: http://www.mdshooters.com/forum.php

Seriously. She/you will get good information.

[jaseman]

Thanks.
A quick browse didn't find anything.... yet. But it's late, and I'm on my 4th bourbon!

[Grey Bearded One]

Go to a gunshop, watch a state mandated video, pickout a gun, pay, wait a few days, take the gun home.

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks.
A quick browse didn't find anything.... yet. But it's late, and I'm on my 4th bourbon!

I was thinking more along the lines of asking your question there. It's a big forum, lotsa members. You could lurk and search a long time looking for answer they could give you in minutes. Besides, if she's going to be a gun owner she might want to go ahead and sign up and get introduced.

[Ecclectic Collector]

Right now the laws in MD are still fairly simple: Go to dealer, fill out paperwork, , watch safety video, pay, and then wait. Mostly the waiting for the approval from state police is a hassle.

After October 1st there will be lots of new strings attached. From my Maryland friend who is an avid gun enthusiast there will be fingerprinting and likely other paperwork requirements as well to own a handgun. Oh yes, from now on a ten round magazine limit as well.

My advice is to buy that gun now to save a lot of extra hassles and cost.

[jaseman]

I was thinking more along the lines of asking your question there. It's a big forum, lotsa members. You could lurk and search a long time looking for answer they could give you in minutes. Besides, if she's going to be a gun owner she might want to go ahead and sign up and get introduced.

I had planned on it, actually. As I said, it was late, and I had a good bit of whiskey in me since I have the day off today. Didn't want to end up with @&?"€¥% for a username....

[Curmudgeon]

I had planned on it, actually. As I said, it was late, and I had a good bit of whiskey in me since I have the day off today. Didn't want to end up with @&?"€¥% for a username....

You'll fit right in.

[Mike3888]

You can also go online and get the certificate. You need to have it to purchase. This state is so backed up on background checks. My buddy is like on day 90 for one handgun and something like 40 days for another. After October it turns into a real hassle. Finger printing, training course, 10 round magazine capacity. And a ton of other shit that would take hours to explain. There is also a regulated firearms list also. Bottom line it's just another way for this fu$$ed up state to generate revenue.

[Vexxus21]

My buddy that lives in MD said current wait time due to state police backlog is something like 4 months.