Is an HQL needed to build a handgun?

Doctor_M · Mar 8, 2016

Strictly a hypothetical question (since I have my HQL), but I'm not sure that this issue has come up before. Since on a federal level, any non-prohibited person is able to build a handgun for their own use (provided that it is not transferred), can a non-prohibited MD resident who does not posses an HQL still construct a handgun or would they be required to get their qualification license first?

Just curious.

DutchV · Mar 8, 2016

You mean from scratch, like say an 80% AR lower? No. HQL is for purchase, not building or possession.

Boom Boom · Mar 8, 2016

Like he said. HQL is only for making purchases.

JettaRed · Mar 8, 2016

An HQL is required for TRANSFERS, not just purchases. If you are using the regulated component (like a GLOCK frame), then you need the HQL to acquire it.

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5.56blaster · Mar 8, 2016

80% build or AR receiver your good to go.

Doctor_M · Mar 8, 2016

Thanks everyone.

DaemonAssassin · Mar 9, 2016

JettaRed said:
An HQL is required for TRANSFERS, not just purchases. If you are using the regulated component (like a GLOCK frame), then you need the HQL to acquire it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is actually up for debate. If you get a stripped Glock frame, you can assemble it, and mate it to a pistol slide, or into a quasi-upper, so you have a rifle. IIRC, I was told by an IP, that you do not need an HQL to by the stripped frame of a handgun, because you can use it as the base for a rifle. Also, because the frame is stripped, it can not legally be classified as a pistol or a rifle. It should be transferred as "other".

http://www.mechtechsys.com/glock.php

JettaRed · Mar 9, 2016

DaemonAssassin said:
That is actually up for debate. If you get a stripped Glock frame, you can assemble it, and mate it to a pistol slide, or into a quasi-upper, so you have a rifle. IIRC, I was told by an IP, that you do not need an HQL to by the stripped frame of a handgun, because you can use it as the base for a rifle. Also, because the frame is stripped, it can not legally be classified as a pistol or a rifle. It should be transferred as "other".

http://www.mechtechsys.com/glock.php

The transfer must still go through an FFL. So, if you can find an FFL that will treat a GLOCK frame as "other" for a possible long gun build, then I guess you don't need the HQL. If you find one, please let us know!

ken792 · Mar 9, 2016

A frame doesn't meet the statutory definition of a pistol, and it's an "other," so they should not be requiring an HQL for it.

JettaRed · Mar 9, 2016

ken792 said:
A frame doesn't meet the statutory definition of a pistol, and it's an "other," so they should not be requiring an HQL for it.

I am not arguing with your logic, I'm just saying that if you find an FFL that sees it the same way, let us know.

I just waited the statutory 7 days for a GLOCK 17 Gen3 frame. It was treated as a pistol. I'm not sure how many FFLs are "current" on the topic and none are going to take risky and unnecessary chances that I know of.

Again, if you know one, send me the name in an IM or post it here. I'm sure they'd love the business.

ken792 · Mar 9, 2016

I think some friends in MD have found one or two who will, but I'm not sure. I was going to try to get a stripped Glock frame or a Glock lower assembly that way, but then I reaized that I didn't actually want to do another MD77R.

fred333 · Mar 9, 2016

An interesting poser and one that, presuming you're seriously considering, would be worth consulting a Maryland firearm law attorney about....but I believe that as long as you're manufacturing the sidearm from non-serialized components and you don't sell or transfer the finished product, no HQL is required.

outrider58 · Mar 9, 2016

What about 80% 1911s?

DaemonAssassin · Mar 9, 2016

fred333 said:
An interesting poser and one that, presuming you're seriously considering, would be worth consulting a Maryland firearm law attorney about....but I believe that as long as you're manufacturing the sidearm from non-serialized components and you don't sell or transfer the finished product, no HQL is required.

Ask Nate at Engage. You might be wrong. :innocent0

Matlack · Mar 9, 2016

Lets keep feeding the anti's with new things to go after. I know lets have a brainstorming session on a public forum to see what they can come after next ...

outrider58 · Mar 9, 2016

Matlack said:
Lets keep feeding the anti's with new things to go after. I know lets have a brainstorming session on a public forum to see what they can come after next ...

DaemonAssassin · Mar 9, 2016

JettaRed said:
The transfer must still go through an FFL. So, if you can find an FFL that will treat a GLOCK frame as "other" for a possible long gun build, then I guess you don't need the HQL. If you find one, please let us know!

It should be treated the same a stripped AR lower.

Is an HQL needed to build a handgun?

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