HQL Training Exemption - AR Receivers

budhaboy said:

question - I own an ATI AR Omni, presently chambered in .22lr - as such it wasnt considered a regulated firearm and did not have to go through a waiting period...however, it IS a multi-caliber platform(meaning I could swap out the .22lr upper for a .223 upper assembly. ATI even sells these rifles as a combo ppkg now) - can I use this as my exemption for the HQL Training?

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NateIU10 said:

As most of you know, we are in a fight with MSP regarding the sale of certain types of firearm receivers, which they claim have to go on a MSP 77R, but do not need an HQL. While I am dealing with that, I have run across an interesting by-product of the MSP's failed logic, and confirmed that MSP will allow lawful ownership of an AR-type receiver (or that of an AK, M1A, etc) to serve as an HQL training exemption. So, you don't need an HQL to buy an AR lower, but once you pick up the lower, you are now exempt from the HQL training.

As part of the Firearms Safety Act of 2013, a person must possess a valid handgun qualification license before they may purchase, rent, or receive a handgun. MD PUBLIC SAFETY § 5-117.1(c)(1). This is a general requirement subject to certain exceptions. If you, or your transaction, do not fall within an exception, a transferee must possess an HQL.

The Maryland State Police shall issue a handgun qualification license to a person who:




MD PUBLIC SAFETY § 5-117.1(e), in listing exceptions to the training requirements, provides that:



MSP's Corporal Edwards has confirmed that, "The purchase of a lower receiver enumerated in statute or their copies would satisfy the waiver of the training requirement under PS 5-117.1 e6."

So, until we get them to change their interpretation, there is some benefit to a completely asinine MSP interpretation.

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(r) “Regulated firearm” means:
(1) a handgun; or
(2) a firearm that is any of the following specific assault weapons or their copies, regardless of which company produced and manufactured that assault weapon:
(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 except Colt AR–15 Sporter H–BAR rifle;
(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 (.223 caliber);
(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, M–21 sniper rifle, M1A, excluding the 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”.

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awptickes said:

In the interest of full disclosure, I had a pending W&C Permit Application at the time I applied for my HQL.

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BLACKTALON said:

wow some HQL trainers are going to be sooo butthurt lol

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Overboost44 said:

To clarify and make sure what pitpawten mentions... if I have an AR that was purchased and approved prior to 10/1/13, I can go get a handgun with fingerprints and filling out a form? What other costs are involved?

Thanks Nate. You are the man!

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swinokur said:

as you not, the law only requires you OWN a regulated firearm, not when.

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