Maryland Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

What is required to transfer a handgun or assault weapon in Maryland?

1. Background check through the FBI

2. Approval from local police department

3. A transfer application approved by the Maryland State Police

4. No special requirements

The correct answer is: A transfer application approved by the Maryland State Police

The requirement to have a transfer application approved by the Maryland State Police is essential for the transfer of handguns or assault weapons in Maryland. This process is put in place to ensure that background checks are appropriately conducted and to confirm that the transfer complies with state laws, which are designed to promote responsible gun ownership and safety. The state’s laws mandate that all transfers of regulated firearms must go through this approval process to ensure that the individual purchasing or receiving the firearm is not prohibited from owning one. This stipulation contributes to enhanced public safety by minimizing the risks associated with firearms possession. While background checks are indeed part of the process, they are conducted through the Maryland State Police, not through the FBI directly for this type of transfer. Similarly, while local police may be involved in some aspects of firearm regulation, they do not have the authority to approve the transfer of regulated firearms, which further emphasizes the importance of the Maryland State Police in this context. Therefore, the necessary and correct measure for transferring a handgun or assault weapon in the state centers around the approval by the Maryland State Police.