A Maryland Firearm Bill of Sale is a document a private seller needs before selling or transferring a firearm.
The bill of sale form proves the sale and ownership transfer of a gun in Maryland.
A seller and buyer sign this form, often in the presence of a notary public, to record the transaction.
Maryland has a seven-day waiting period for regulated firearms (handguns or assault weapons).
There is no waiting period for rifles and shotguns.
Firearm laws: MD Pub Safety Code § 5-106, Md. Public Safety Code Section 5-124, MD Pub Safety Code § 5-303
Restrictions: Yes
State permit to purchase: Yes
Registration of firearm: Yes
License to own: No
Assault weapon law: Yes
Magazine capacity restriction: Yes
Permit for concealed carry: Yes
Permit for open carry: Yes
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
All firearm sales in Maryland must be completed through the Maryland State Police and a firearm dealer per MD Pub Safety Code § 5-106. Anyone wishing to purchase, rent, or transfer any firearm must fill out the form, MSP 77R Application and Affidavit to Purchase a Regulated Firearm.
The MSP 77R applies to all sales and transfers, including:
- Licensed firearm dealers
- Gun shows
- Private sales
- Secondary sales
- Gifts
- Inheritances
The MSP-77R can only be completed through the online Licensing Portal. [1]
Requirements
Per Md. Public Safety Code Section 5-124, private individuals can only sell regulated firearms (handguns and assault weapons) through a licensed dealer, a Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer’s License, and a Federal Firearms License (FFL).
The licensed dealer will perform the background check and retain the records as federal and state law requires.
The parties must go through the licensed dealer or a designated law enforcement agency to complete the sale.
Buyers must have a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) before purchasing, renting, or receiving a regulated firearm in Maryland.
There are exceptions, such as for active law enforcement, Maryland licensed firearms dealers, or antique firearms.
Restrictions
Maryland has an extensive list of individuals who may not possess a regulated firearm outlined in Md. Public Safety Code Section 5-118 and MD Pub Safety Code § 5-133, including anyone:
- Under the age of 21 years old
- Convicted of any disqualifying crime, including felons, habitual offenders, or anyone with an order of protection against them
- Suffering from a mental disorder and has a history of violent behavior against themselves or others
- Habitual drunkard
- Addicted to a controlled dangerous substance or is a habitual user
- Fugitive from justice
- Under the protection of a guardian appointed by a court order except for solely physical disability
Maryland has a red flag, or extreme risk protective order (ERPO) law, which allows judges to issue restraining orders permitting law enforcement to temporarily remove an individual’s firearms if they are deemed a risk to the person requesting the restraining order.
Firearm Inheritance Laws
Md. Code Regs. Section 29.03.01.10 explains that the recipient must register and submit a completed firearm application for transfers of a regulated firearm by inheritance.
If the recipient is under 21, it must be registered in the new owner’s name and held by the estate until the owner reaches the age of 21.
An assault rifle or assault pistol may only be inherited if the decedent possessed it before Maryland’s gun ban was enacted in 2013.
Registration
All regulated firearms must be registered with the Maryland State Police.
The Maryland State Police keeps a permanent record of all transfers of regulated firearms.
Concealed and Open Carry Permit
Maryland does not allow open or concealed handgun carry without a permit per MD Pub Safety Code § 5-303.
Anyone who has obtained such a permit can carry a handgun, concealed or openly, except where it is otherwise not permitted by law.
Maryland does not require anyone carrying a concealed firearm to notify a police officer that they have a firearm when stopped or searched.
How To Apply
To obtain a permit to carry a firearm in Maryland, an applicant must:
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Have no felony convictions or misdemeanor sentences for over one year
- Have no convictions for possession, use, or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance
- Not presently be an alcoholic, addict, or customary user of a controlled dangerous substance
- Have completed a Maryland State Police-approved firearms training course
- Have met all state and federal requirements, including a background check
Step 1 – Get Trained
Complete a recognized handgun training and safety course.
Step 2 – Submit Fingerprints
Have an approved vendor collect your fingerprints.
Step 3 – Attach Photo
Take a color passport-size photo and submit with your application.
Step 4 – Apply
Apply for a permit through the Maryland State Police Licensing Portal. [2]
Step 5 – Pay Fees
All applicants must pay a filing fee.
Step 6 – Get Approved or Denied
The Maryland State Police will approve or deny your application within 90 days of receiving it.
Open Carry
Follow the same steps to apply for open carry as you would for concealed carry.
Gun Reciprocity
Maryland does not recognize concealed weapons permits issued in other states, meaning that concealed-carry permit holders cannot carry their weapons in Maryland.
Maryland permit holders have reciprocity to carry their concealed weapons in these states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Maryland Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a Maryland firearm bill of sale. You can create a customized form using our document builder.
