Out of State Handgun Registration?

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  • Oct 4, 2017
    58
    Hello All,

    I'm interested in purchasing a handgun from a friend in another state. However, he purchased it via private sale from another individual who possibly got it from another private sale. Needless to say there's a rabbit trail of "unknown" owners. Anyone know of a way to have it registered? Or should I stay away? Thanks all

    ~Sledgehammer
     

    Blacksmith101

    Grumpy Old Man
    Jun 22, 2012
    22,154
    Hello All,

    I'm interested in purchasing a handgun from a friend in another state. However, he purchased it via private sale from another individual who possibly got it from another private sale. Needless to say there's a rabbit trail of "unknown" owners. Anyone know of a way to have it registered? Or should I stay away? Thanks all

    ~Sledgehammer

    The transfer and registration needs to go through an FFL in the state you live in. As long as it was not stolen by one of the previous owners them being unknown is not a problem. Find a local FFL who will accept out of state transfers, check the MDS Industry Partners for someone convenient and let them walk you through the process. You will need to have an HQL and the handgun will need to be on the approved handgun list unless it is exempt.
     

    adit

    ReMember
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 20, 2013
    19,495
    DE
    It must be sent to a FFL in MD.

    They will run a background check and have you fill out a 4473/77R, thereby registering it. HQL needed as well.

    It also depends on how old the handgun is, i.e. C&R, and if you have a FFL03, then the above doesn't apply(the I think part).

    It doesn't matter how many FTF hands it has passed thru as long as it doesn't come up stolen.

    I think....

    IANAL.
     

    Caeb75

    Full fledged member
    Sep 19, 2007
    1,054
    Aberdeen
    Once it comes to a MD FFL, your chain of custody will start there. You cannot be held responsible for anything prior to the date you TAKE POSESSION after your waiting period. The worst that will happen is it might be confiscated if it winds up to be stolen.
     

    roadking

    Active Member
    Mar 11, 2019
    315
    Baltimore, MD
    The worst that will happen is it might be confiscated if it winds up to be stolen.


    This is interesting. If it were a sale by the dealer and it came up as stolen, then I would assume the dealer would void the sale and return your money. But with a private sale, you could wait to pay the seller until the 77R comes back (after the 7 day period). If all is clean, you could settle up.

    This is all hypothetical, of course. Just thinking aloud.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    rseymorejr

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 28, 2011
    26,002
    Harford County
    This is interesting. If it were a sale by the dealer and it came up as stolen, then I would assume the dealer would void the sale and return your money. But with a private sale, you could wait to pay the seller until the 77R comes back (after the 7 day period). If all is clean, you could settle up.

    This is all hypothetical, of course. Just thinking aloud.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    If I was the seller I'd want my money before I left the gun there. The FFL would have the seller's info so the police could go and have a chat with him. I think the buyer would probably be SOL
     

    roadking

    Active Member
    Mar 11, 2019
    315
    Baltimore, MD
    If I was the seller I'd want my money before I left the gun there. The FFL would have the seller's info so the police could go and have a chat with him. I think the buyer would probably be SOL



    I get that. But the seller should be willing to leave it with the FFL for the 7 days. FFL’s are pretty reputable, so it’s low risk that the gun walks off or anything. But not every seller is so reasonable...


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,673
    I get that. But the seller should be willing to leave it with the FFL for the 7 days. FFL’s are pretty reputable, so it’s low risk that the gun walks off or anything. But not every seller is so reasonable...


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

    Does the seller have to leave the firearm there?

    For MSP transfers it’s not like they keep it. Then again I’ve done exactly one private sale of a handgun before. It was through MSP. I forgot exactly what I offered, but I think $180 cash up front or $200 at hand over. If it was particularly more expensive I probably either wouldn’t have been willing to pay cash upfront at all, or only a small amount, like $50 up front, the other $400 at time of possession or something. If someone welches...well MSP has the seller’s info also and I assume they’d be willing to try for an easy arrest. But something I’d prefer not to test.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    The OP presented a scenario where the Seller is resident of another state . By Federal Law, all such transactions must go thru an FFL .

    The MSP Barracks Transfer is only applicable if both parties are Md residents .
     

    ted76

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 20, 2013
    3,151
    Frederick
    Does the seller have to leave the firearm there?

    For MSP transfers it’s not like they keep it. Then again I’ve done exactly one private sale of a handgun before. It was through MSP. I forgot exactly what I offered, but I think $180 cash up front or $200 at hand over. If it was particularly more expensive I probably either wouldn’t have been willing to pay cash upfront at all, or only a small amount, like $50 up front, the other $400 at time of possession or something. If someone welches...well MSP has the seller’s info also and I assume they’d be willing to try for an easy arrest. But something I’d prefer not to test.

    I believe that almost all Maryland FFL's will require the seller to leave the firearm, as it has to be entered into their "Bound Book" and then be recorded as dispersed, or sold.
     

    sanchurv

    Member
    Aug 5, 2019
    1
    Does the out of state seller have to ship the handgun to a FFL Dealer or can they transport it themselves?
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    Legally they may . The FFL may have their own policies , consult them in advance .

    It is fairly common for them to accept in person, even when they don't care to have them shipped from non licensee .
     

    Mightydog

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    The OP presented a scenario where the Seller is resident of another state . By Federal Law, all such transactions must go thru an FFL .

    The MSP Barracks Transfer is only applicable if both parties are Md residents .


    Correct! An FFL in the buyers state. And it must be on the MD list of approved handguns unless C&R. Can’t purchase a handgun with a hicap mag unless arrangements made to receive the mag out of state.
     

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