Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 5-205 - Disqualification for possession(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.Amended by 2018 Md. Laws, Ch. 251,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2018.Amended by 2013 Md. Laws, Ch. 427,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2013.