MSP: FIREARM PURCHASE APPLICANTS WITH APPLICATIONS PENDING ON OCT 1 WON'T NEED HQL

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  • AGCLVP

    Active Member
    Jan 27, 2009
    142
    MSP News Release Update and WARNING

    UPDATE & WARNING:

    We here at AGC are aware of the September 24, 2013, Maryland State Police press release notifying the public that MSP would not enforce the HQL provisions against purchasers who had their paperwork in before October 1, 2013, irrespective of when they actually take possession of their handgun. We strongly discourage anybody from relying on that press release when purchasing and receiving a handgun. The press release is contradicted by an opinion from the Attorney General’s office that an HQL would be required for taking possession of a handgun on or after October 1, 2013 no matter when their paperwork was filed. Furthermore, even if the Maryland State Police do not enforce the law, it is still a law, on the books, with criminal penalties attached to its violation. Receiving a firearm without an HQL after October 1, 2013 is a violation of SB 281, and nothing would stop some other law enforcement agency from bringing charges under its provisions. Conviction for violation of the HQL provisions could result in both criminal penalties and loss of gun rights.

    This is not legal advice. You are advised to consult with your attorney.

    AG Opinion Letter

    ORIGINAL POST __________________________________________

    NEWS RELEASE
    MARYLAND STATE POLICE
    HEADQUARTERS: PIKESVILLE, MD 21208
    (410)486-3101 or 1-800-525-5555
    Hearing Impaired TTY (410)486-0677
    www.mdsp.org www.youtube.com/Maryland State Police www.facebook.com/MarylandStatePolice

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2013

    FIREARM PURCHASE APPLICANTS WITH
    APPLICATIONS PENDING ON OCTOBER 1 WILL NOT
    NEED TO OBTAIN A HANDGUN QUALIFICATION LICENSE

    (PIKESVILLE, MD) – Marylanders who have submitted handgun purchase applications on or before September 30 will not be required to obtain a handgun qualification license, as required by the new law that is set to take effect on Oct. 1.

    The new law that takes effect in Maryland on October 1 states that a handgun may not be sold, rented, or transferred unless the purchaser, lessee, or transferee has a valid handgun qualification license.

    The Maryland State Police (MSP) will not enforce the requirements of the new law with respect to applicants whose applications are pending as of October 1. It was widely understood that the new requirements would not be enforced as to applications that were pending before October 1. In light of the number of currently pending applications—resulting from the unprecedented spike in new applications in recent months—it is a fair, reasoned, and appropriate result for those who are waiting for their pending purchase applications to be processed.

    Persons who submit purchase applications on or after October 1, 2013, unless otherwise exempted by law, will be required to apply for and obtain a handgun qualification license before attempting to purchase a handgun.

    MSP is working diligently to process all pending firearm purchase applications as expeditiously as possible. A record level of firearm sales in Maryland that began last fall—and which has only intensified in recent days—has led to an unparalleled number of pending purchase applications. MSP’s Licensing Division commenced 21-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week operations last December—more than doubling the staff in the division—in order to process the spike in applications. MSP has also used additional State Police personnel, who worked more than 24,000 hours of overtime in the past year. Despite those efforts, the number of pending purchase applications continued to grow.

    The members of MSP’s Licensing Division will continue to work diligently to process pending applications as quickly as possible, without jeopardizing public safety for speed. MSP greatly appreciates the patience of both the licensed firearms dealers holding the weapons, and Marylanders awaiting approval to receive their guns.

    CONTACT: Greg Shipley - Office of Media Communications – 410-653-4236

    http://www.associatedgunclubs.org/legislative/temporary/MSP_NEWS_RELEASE_09-24-2013.pdf

    SEE THE FOLLOW-UP POST WARNING OF POSSIBLE PROSECUTION
     
    Last edited:

    fightinbluhen51

    "Quack Pot Call Honker"
    Oct 31, 2008
    8,974
    They can't even proof their own press release!

    It was widely understood that the new requirements would not be enforced as to applications that were pending before October 1. In light of the number of currently pending applications—resulting from the unprecedented spike in new applications in recent months—it is a fair, reasoned, and appropriate result for those who are waiting for their pending purchase applications to be processed.

    Would not? Then why have they been telling us we WOULD need the HQL?
     

    AJRB

    Ultimate Member
    May 8, 2013
    1,584
    Just when you thought you were on your way out of the doghouse with your significant other..... Hahahaha right back in ya go lol.....
     

    mxrider

    Former MSI Treasurer
    Aug 20, 2012
    3,045
    Edgewater, MD
    OK, now putting the tin foil hat on. It states for any "pending applications". When MSP faxes all their backlog on 9/28 to dealers.....
     

    Robert

    Having Fun Yet?
    May 11, 2011
    4,089
    AA County, MD
    They can't keep up with the demand.

    Kinda, but I think it's more then that, they know they will loose this part of the battle in court when they are simply unable to deal with the massive volume of permit applications that will need to come through the new system.

    EDIT: This will also, in a way make it a touch harder to get an injunction (they at least have a small amount of hope they can process out the permits in the 30 days with only new applicants)
     

    Vassago

    Member
    Sep 23, 2013
    88
    MoCo
    Hold so as I read it my PPQ purchase that had paper work submitted last week can now be picked up after Oct 1st with out a HQL. Is this correct? (I had to wait 30 days cause I picked up an AR in sep and had to wait mandatory 30 days).
     

    Jim12

    Let Freedom Ring
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 30, 2013
    33,860
    Why did they wait until today, the day after the MGA committee meeting, to make this announcement?

    Avoid questions, discussion, and debate?
     

    zoostation

    , ,
    Moderator
    Jan 28, 2007
    22,857
    Abingdon
    Well it is good news for the folks with apps pending, that I will say.

    Unfortunately though, what this says to me is "The State of Maryland is going to ignore its own law so as not to give the pro-gun people a powerful argument for a stay of SB281." This press release wasn't written for us. This press release was written to show a judge who will be hearing motions for a stay.

    Notice they are not saying "The law as written does not apply." They are saying "We will not enforce the law as written." That's a pretty damn dicey situation for a dealer (and a recipient) to be in.
     

    redeemed.man

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 29, 2013
    17,444
    HoCo
    Why did they wait until today, the day after the MGA committee meeting, to make this announcement?

    Avoid questions, discussion, and debate?

    Imagine the grilling they would have been given if they would have admitted failure yesterday. Yesterday = Confrontation and maybe even ridicule. Today = Press release, no confrontation, and they even get to lie without being called out to their face ("it has been widely understood" ----BS)
     

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