crolfe1984
Enthusiast
Let me start off by saying that the two officers who paid me a personal visit this morning couldn’t have been more professional and kind. They both are a credit to the Force and I appreciate their work.
The circumstances, however, are rather interesting. It starts around the middle of November 2012 when I purchased a Sig Arms 556 gas piston rifle (folding stock) from a VA dealer/FFL. It was my understanding that these are unregulated, cash & carry rifles, sold here in Maryland as well. I got a great deal, filled out the paper work, passed the NICS check, and took my rifle home with me.
Move forward to this morning, 09-05-2013 at 0700, I get a call from my front desk (I live in a high-end condo building) requesting that I come down to the lobby as there are two MDSP Officers here to speak with me. After a brief introduction they informed me that the VA dealer who sold me this particular rifle was under an ATF audit, and they had information that I purchased from this dealer. They were here to inspect the regulated rifle that I purchased and had not registered. I explained my understanding of the MD law firearms law regarding regulated long guns (prior to Oct. 1 of course), but wanted to cooperate fully as I have nothing to hide and I am certainly one who wants everything done by the books.
They came up to my condo and I produced the Sig 556, along with the other two long guns I had purchased in VA (on their request). I also produced my mid-July non-disapproval that I received on my Glock 22 and Glock 17 (on their request). Everything seemed to be on the up & up, and no further questions were asked. They simply requested that I fill out the regulated firearm paper work for the Sig 556-which I did on the spot as they had the forms ready in hand. I also mentioned to them that I thought other Maryland dealers were treating Sig 556 and copies there-of as unregulated long guns. Their reply to me was that they knew of this, and they all needed to be registered.
So to those who have purchased an unregulated (cash & carry) Sig 556 or variant there-of… I would expect a visit from the MDSP requesting to inspect the rifle, and that it be registered immediately. The reason being (as I am told) is that the folding stock, detachable magazine, and flash suppressor make it a regulated long gun.
I can only assume my knowledge of MD regulated long gun law was not as clear as it should have been.
The circumstances, however, are rather interesting. It starts around the middle of November 2012 when I purchased a Sig Arms 556 gas piston rifle (folding stock) from a VA dealer/FFL. It was my understanding that these are unregulated, cash & carry rifles, sold here in Maryland as well. I got a great deal, filled out the paper work, passed the NICS check, and took my rifle home with me.
Move forward to this morning, 09-05-2013 at 0700, I get a call from my front desk (I live in a high-end condo building) requesting that I come down to the lobby as there are two MDSP Officers here to speak with me. After a brief introduction they informed me that the VA dealer who sold me this particular rifle was under an ATF audit, and they had information that I purchased from this dealer. They were here to inspect the regulated rifle that I purchased and had not registered. I explained my understanding of the MD law firearms law regarding regulated long guns (prior to Oct. 1 of course), but wanted to cooperate fully as I have nothing to hide and I am certainly one who wants everything done by the books.
They came up to my condo and I produced the Sig 556, along with the other two long guns I had purchased in VA (on their request). I also produced my mid-July non-disapproval that I received on my Glock 22 and Glock 17 (on their request). Everything seemed to be on the up & up, and no further questions were asked. They simply requested that I fill out the regulated firearm paper work for the Sig 556-which I did on the spot as they had the forms ready in hand. I also mentioned to them that I thought other Maryland dealers were treating Sig 556 and copies there-of as unregulated long guns. Their reply to me was that they knew of this, and they all needed to be registered.
So to those who have purchased an unregulated (cash & carry) Sig 556 or variant there-of… I would expect a visit from the MDSP requesting to inspect the rifle, and that it be registered immediately. The reason being (as I am told) is that the folding stock, detachable magazine, and flash suppressor make it a regulated long gun.
I can only assume my knowledge of MD regulated long gun law was not as clear as it should have been.