Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-301
Definitions
Effective Oct 1, 2024Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2013, c. 427, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2018, c. 252, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2024, c. 713, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.State of Maryland
- (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
- (b) “Assault long gun” means any assault weapon listed under § 5-101(r)(2) of the Public Safety Article.
(c) “Assault pistol” means any of the following firearms or a copy regardless of the producer or manufacturer:
- (1) AA Arms AP-9 semiautomatic pistol;
- (2) Bushmaster semiautomatic pistol;
- (3) Claridge HI-TEC semiautomatic pistol;
- (4) D Max Industries semiautomatic pistol;
- (5) Encom MK-IV, MP-9, or MP-45 semiautomatic pistol;
- (6) Heckler and Koch semiautomatic SP-89 pistol;
- (7) Holmes MP-83 semiautomatic pistol;
- (8) Ingram MAC 10/11 semiautomatic pistol and variations including the Partisan Avenger and the SWD Cobray;
- (9) Intratec TEC-9/DC-9 semiautomatic pistol in any centerfire variation;
- (10) P.A.W.S. type semiautomatic pistol;
- (11) Skorpion semiautomatic pistol;
- (12) Spectre double action semiautomatic pistol (Sile, F.I.E., Mitchell);
- (13) UZI semiautomatic pistol;
- (14) Weaver Arms semiautomatic Nighthawk pistol; or
- (15) Wilkinson semiautomatic “Linda” pistol.
(d) “Assault weapon” means:
- (1) an assault long gun;
- (2) an assault pistol; or
- (3) a copycat weapon.
- (e) “Binary trigger system” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, fires both when the trigger is pulled and on release of the trigger.
- (f) “Bump stock” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, increases the rate of fire of the firearm by using energy from the recoil of the firearm to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation of the trigger.
- (g) “Burst trigger system” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, allows the firearm to discharge two or more shots with a single pull of the trigger by altering the trigger reset.
(h)
(1) “Copycat weapon” means:
(i) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has any two of the following:
- 1. a folding stock;
- 2. a grenade launcher or flare launcher; or
- 3. a flash suppressor;
- (ii) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds;
- (iii) a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 29 inches;
- (iv) a semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds;
- (v) a semiautomatic shotgun that has a folding stock; or
- (vi) a shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
- (2) “Copycat weapon” does not include an assault long gun or an assault pistol.
- (i) “Detachable magazine” means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from a firearm without requiring disassembly of the firearm action or without the use of a tool, including a bullet or cartridge.
- (j) “Flash suppressor” means a device that functions, or is intended to function, to perceptibly reduce or redirect muzzle flash from the shooter's field of vision.
- (k) “Hellfire trigger” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, disengages the trigger return spring when the trigger is pulled.
- (l) “Licensed firearms dealer” means a person who holds a dealer's license under Title 5, Subtitle 1 of the Public Safety Article.
(m)
(1) “Rapid fire activator” means any device, including a removable manual or power-driven activating device, constructed so that, when installed in or attached to a firearm:
- (i) the rate at which the trigger is activated increases; or
- (ii) the rate of fire increases.
- (2) “Rapid fire activator” includes a bump stock, trigger crank, hellfire trigger, binary trigger system, burst trigger system, switch/auto-sear, or a copy or a similar device, regardless of the producer or manufacturer.
- (3) “Rapid fire activator” does not include a semiautomatic replacement trigger that improves the performance and functionality over the stock trigger.
- (n) “Switch/auto-sear” means a device that applies force to a firearm's trigger bar to prevent it from limiting the weapon to firing only one round each time the trigger is depressed.
- (o) “Trigger crank” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, repeatedly activates the trigger of the firearm through the use of a crank, a lever, or any other part that is turned in a circular motion.
Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2013, c. 427, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2018, c. 252, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2024, c. 713, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.