Legalities of Rust Bluing

Oswaldo87 · Jun 13, 2020

I am a fairly recent transplant from a much more gun friendly state. I got into rust bluing and used to take on projects for family, friends, and friends of friends. Probably have done 15-20 guns so far. It made me some side money while going through a divorce. Anyway, in that state you could pretty much hand over a firearm and come get it again once I’m done and no one would even care. If I were to get back into it for friends and such (not publicly advertising), what are the ramifications in Maryland?

Allen65 · Jun 13, 2020

IANAL, but for modern long guns or antiques (long or handgun), there shouldn't be any issues with Maryland. I'll leave the discussion of temporary transfers of handguns under MD law to those with better knowledge of that subject than I have. Federal law may very well be a concern, if ATF comes to view you as being in the "business" of gunsmithing, whether or not you advertise.

I do a lot of rust bluing for my own antiques and repros, but haven't done it for anyone else. A good rust bluing job is a work of art. Maybe we can see some photos of your work to drool over?

Magnumite · Jun 14, 2020

As far as I know, if the serialized component spends the night with you for anything but the loan of the arm an FFL is required. This was discussed by someone wanting to do nothing more than offering a strip down and clean/lube service. The same was told to them...if taking custody of the arm overnight an FFL is required.

Pinecone · Jun 14, 2020

Magnumite said:
As far as I know, if the serialized component spends the night with you for anything but the loan of the arm an FFL is required. This was discussed by someone wanting to do nothing more than offering a strip down and clean/lube service. The same was told to them...if taking custody of the arm overnight an FFL is required.

This ^^^^^

If you are keeping the firearm overnight, you are in violation of Federal law. It may or many not be against State law.

BATFE FAQ:

Does a gunsmith need to enter every firearm received for adjustment or repair into an acquisition and disposition (A&D) record?

If a firearm is brought in for repairs and the owner waits while it is being repaired, or if the gunsmith is able to return the firearm to the owner during the same business day, it is not necessary to list the firearm in the A&D record as an “acquisition.” If the gunsmith has possession of the firearm from one business day to another or longer, the firearm must be recorded as an “acquisition” and a “disposition” in the A&D record.

Is a license needed to engage in the business of engraving, customizing, refinishing or repairing firearms?

Yes. A person conducting such activities as a business is considered to be a gunsmith within the definition of a dealer.

Biggfoot44 · Jun 14, 2020

As of today until the first day of the General Assembly Session , temporary * Gratuitous * loaning is still a thing .

BUT the repair/ modification/ improvement / etc of firearms , especially for $ , fits the Federal definition of Gunsmith , and requires an FFL . If you only worked on muzzleloaders , and actual Antiques , no licensing required .

Bob A · Jun 14, 2020

Quote:
Is a license needed to engage in the business of engraving, customizing, refinishing or repairing firearms?

Yes. A person conducting such activities as a business is considered to be a gunsmith within the definition of a dealer.

In MD you need a license for almost anything, if there's compensation involved. I worry when my wife cuts my hair; the neighbors could drop a dime, and she gets locked up. . . . hmmm, no, I'm stopping that train of thought right here.

The first rule of the Free Rust Bluing Club; c'mon, you know the first rule.

Oswaldo87 · Jun 14, 2020

Thank you for the information. I knew the Federal stuff, but with crazy MD laws just thought I’d do a precursory check.

Legalities of Rust Bluing

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