Why should I go to Engage Armament?
There are several reasons to use Engage for your firearm needs.
-We offer things other shops do not. Our services are wide ranging and not only limited to retail firearms sales. We are factory certified Cerakote applicators, we offer firearm engraving (ranging from NFA engraving to custom designs), we are a licensed manufacturer, we are a licensed firearm importer, we have a very talented gunsmith on staff, and we are very experienced in the firearms business.
-We have been in the trenches here in Maryland in terms of Maryland firearms rights for many years. We have engaged our own attorneys several times to contest MD firearms regulations and pursue judicial review of what we felt were unconstitutional interpretations of Maryland State laws. We spearheaded and were successful in getting Maryland State Police to declare AR-15 lowers were legal, that SBRs were legal, and that certain forms of pistols were legal. We were in Annapolis meeting with lobbyists and politicians in 2013 trying to stop the FSA2013 or alter it (Along with the MLFDA, Steve Schneider of Atlantic Guns, Rick from On Target, and Sam from the Cop Shop). These efforts have not always been successful, however no efforts can be made without your patronage. We did not just get into this business to make a few bucks. We believe in it, and we live it.
What handguns are approved for sale in Maryland?
Go to The Maryland Handgun Roster and choose a manufacturer to see the models that are approved for sale within MD. Generally speaking it takes a few months after the release of a new handgun to become approved for sale in MD.
Transfer Fees/Terms and Conditions
Engage Armament Customer Agreement
Revised November 21st, 2018
Due to the complexities of Maryland firearm law, all transfers must be pre-approved. You can email info@engagearmament.com to both check the legality of your item and arrange a transfer.
Please read the following statements carefully.
- Firearm transfers are $50 per item. The Maryland State Police fee for all regulated firearm transactions is $10.
- Any firearm which is transferred without pre-approval, and is not Maryland legal, will be subject to a $75 fee, plus return shipping cost to the original FFL.
- Engage Armament LLC applies a $5 storage fee assessed per day beginning 30 days after we receive the firearm for non-regulated and regulated firearm transfers. Be aware that if you do not have a Handgun Qualification License (HQL), or if the firearm is not on the Maryland Handgun Roster, you will likely incur the storage fees.
- All regulated firearms must be picked up within 30 days of 77R application approval.
- Any non-regulated, regulated, MD legal, or MD prohibited item which is not picked up in 90 days becomes the property of Engage Armament LLC, excluding items regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
- NFA transfers are $100 and not subject to storage fees while awaiting Form 4 approval.
- Any transferred NFA item which has not had a Form 4 submitted to ATF within 90 days of receipt will be charged a storage fee of $5 per day after the 90 day period. Any NFA item which has not had a Form 4 submitted within 6 months, without written permission, becomes property of Engage Armament LLC.
- In accordance with state law, we cannot transfer or modify magazines with a capacity higher than 10 rounds. Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Officials with appropriate credentials are exempt.
PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING about Maryland firearm law or the NFA. We are happy to answer any questions you might have regarding either matter, please contact us at info@engagearmament.com.
How old do you need to be to own a firearm?
18 for long guns, 21 for handguns and NFA items.
How does a Maryland Resident purchase a firearm?
With the passage of the Firearms Safety Act of 2013 purchasing a firearm has radically changed in several ways. Most military patterned rifles are now prohibited and transfer of which is now illegal in MD. Those long guns which were not affected by the new law (shotguns, bolt action rifles, HBAR AR-15s, etc) still transfer as they always have on a 4473. All that is required is a drivers license with your current address and a background check will be run through the FBI.
Handgun purchases or transfers now need a “Handgun Qualification License” to purchase or receive a handgun. If you owned a regulated firearm before 1 Oct 2013, only Livescan fingerprints and completion of an online application are required. Once the fingerprints and application are submitted you should receive your license in the mail within a month. With that card you can then fill out the application to purchase or transfer a handgun in MD. If you did not own a regulated firearm before 1 Oct 2013, a training class is required in addition to the fingerprints and online application. If you require training for the HQL, please contact LTTC Safety to schedule a class. More information can be found here on the MSP website.
Do you have a gunsmith?
We do have a gunsmith, Garrett Smouse. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania School of Gunsmithing.
Can you explain to me the Maryland assault weapons ban? What is and isn't ok for me to buy?
In 2013 the Maryland State Assembly passed the “Firearm Safety Act of 2013” which drastically altered both the handgun and rifle regulations in Maryland. On the handgun side, a Handgun Qualification License is now required to buy a handgun. On the long gun side, numerous long guns that were previously “regulated” became banned guns and a feature test ( referred to as “copycat”) . The list contained 81 different semi-automatic long guns. These firearms are as follows:
(i) American Arms Spectre da Semiautomatic carbine;
(ii) AK-47 in all forms;
(iii) Algimec AGM-1 type semi-auto;
(iv) AR 100 type semi-auto;
(v) AR 180 type semi-auto;
(vi) Argentine L.S.R. semi-auto;
(vii) Australian Automatic Arms SAR type semi-auto;
(viii) Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1 and 1927 semi-automatics;
(ix) Barrett light .50 cal. semi-auto;
(x) Beretta AR70 type semi-auto;
(xi) Bushmaster semi-auto rifle;
(xii) Calico models M-100 and M-900;
(xiii) CIS SR 88 type semi-auto;
(xiv) Claridge HI TEC C-9 carbines;
(xv) Colt AR-15, CAR-15, and all imitations excepted Colt AR-15 HBAR Sporter
(xvi) Daewoo MAX 1 and MAX 2, aka AR 100, 110C, K-1, and K-2;
(xvii) Dragunov Chinese made semi-auto;
(xviii) Famas semi-auto (.223 caliber);
(xix) Feather AT-9 semi-auto;
(xx) FN LAR and FN FAL assault rifle;
(xxi) FNC semi-auto type carbine;
(xxii) F.I.E./Franchi LAW 12 and SPAS 12 assault shotgun;
(xxiii) Steyr-AUG-SA semi-auto;
(xxiv) Galil models AR and ARM semi-auto;
(xxv) Heckler and Koch HK-91 A3, HK-93 A2, HK-94 A2 and A3;
(xxvi) Holmes model 88 shotgun;
(xxvii) Avtomat Kalashnikov semiautomatic rifle in any format;
(xxviii Manchester Arms Commando MK-45, MK-9;
(xxix) Mandell TAC-1 semi-auto carbine;
(xxx) Mossberg model 500 Bullpup assault shotgun;
(xxxi) Sterling Mark 6;
(xxxii) P.A.W.S. carbine;
(xxxiii) Ruger mini-14 folding stock model (.223caliber);
(xxxiv) SIG 550/551 assault rifle (.223 caliber);
(xxxv) SKS with detachable magazine;
(xxxvi) AP-74 Commando type semi-auto;
(xxxvii) Springfield Armory BM-59, SAR-48, G3, SAR-3,-21sniper rifle, M1A, excluding M1 Garand
(xxxviii) Street sweeper assault type shotgun;
(xxxix) Striker 12 assault shotgun in all formats;
(xl) Unique F11 semi-auto type;
(xli) Daewoo USAS 12 semi-auto shotgun;
(xlii) UZI 9mm carbine or rifle;
(xliii) Valmet M-76 and M-78 semi-auto;
(xliv) Weaver Arms Nighthawk semi-auto carbine; or
(xlv) Wilkinson Arms 9mm semi-auto Terry.
Any semi-automatic long gun that is on the above list or is a copy of a firearm which is on the above list is now banned. One could only be possessed if it was possessed before 1 OCT 2013, inherited, or a factory replacement of a an “assault weapon” that was possessed before 1 OCT 2013. A copy of one of the enumerated firearms is also banned. A long gun is considered a copy of one of the enumerated long guns if it has completely interchangeable parts necessary for the function of the firearm. For example, a standard FN-15 would be banned because it has interchangeable parts with a Colt AR-15. However something like an AR-10 which does not have completely interchangeable parts with any of the firearms on the list would not be banned.
The other test that was implemented was a feature test or “copycat test”. The specific wording of the law is:
CR § 4-301(e)
(e) (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.
For example, a firearm with a both a folding stock and a flash hider would be banned. Another example of a prohibited combination would be a a firearm with a flash hider and grenade launcher (like those are really common). That being said, flash hider can be easily removed and replaced with a compensator or muzzle brake to make some firearms MD legal, like the SCAR series, MCX, Beretta ARX100 etc. A semi-automatic long gun with an overall length of less than 29″ would also be prohibited, i.e. the PS90.
Maryland State Police also maintains a list of firearms that have been reviewed by the MSP. Please bear in mind though this list is frequently incorrect and is not legally binding. This list can be found here.
If you have any questions regarding the legality of a specific firearm please contact us at info@engagearmament.com
I have heard of the Maryland AR15 HBAR exemption. What is that?
If you read the Maryland assault weapons list you will see the law mentions “Colt AR-15, CAR-15 and all imitations except Colt AR-15 Sporter H-BAR rifle”. This has been read since the 1990s as any heavy barreled AR-15 was exempted, and was then not banned by the FSA2013. The guidance Maryland State Police has offered regarding what is an HBAR is if the firearm is marked or marketed by the manufacturer as having a heavy barrel it is then legal for sale.
All Engage Armament LLC E4 (AR-15) rifles are marked as having heavy barrels and are marketed as such. Our rifles are fully legal and compliant in Maryland.
What are the regulations regarding NFA firearms?
For the most part, NFA firearms are completely legal in Maryland. Transferable machine guns require annual registration with the State of Maryland and are not banned under the FSA2013, i.e. you can own a transferable AK machine gun but not a semi-automatic. Suppressors are also 100% legal to possess here in Maryland as well. Short barrel rifles are treated partly as handguns and partly as rifles under Maryland law. They are beholden to the copycat test but not to the assault weapons list. For example, you can have a short barrel AK-47 but it must meet the feature test and have an overall length of greater than 29″. If you have any specific questions regarding firearms that fall under the National Firearms Act please contact us at info@engagearmament.com