Conversation with MSP about HBARs

[A1Uni]

DISCLAIMER: This isn't legal advice, so take it for what it is worth.

We recently had a question about a consignment Rock River AR that we received and called MSP to get a ruling on it.

The current Assault Weapon List specifically exempts Colt HBAR Sporters, but the Licensing Division told us that any AR with a barrel that we could "articulate" was heavy barreled rifle could be sold non-regulated, which greatly widens the field.

I documented the date, time and Trooper's name in case the tide changes down the road, but for now it appears our cash and carry options are greatly improved.

I know, we have all seen it a thousand times, but here is the list.

Maryland State Police
Assault Weapons
Maryland Public Safety Article
§ 5-101(p) Assault weapon.- "Assault weapon" means any of the following specific
firearms or their copies regardless of which company produced and manufactured that
firearm:
( 1 ) American Arms Spectre da Semiautomatic carbine
( 2 ) AK-47 in all forms
( 3 ) Algimec AGM-1 type semi-auto
( 4 ) AR 100 type semi-auto
( 5 ) AR 180 type semi-auto
( 6 ) Argentine L.S.R. semi-auto
( 7 ) Australian Automatic Arms SAR type semi-auto
( 8 ) Auto-Ordnance Thompson M1 and 1927 semi-automatics
( 9 ) Barrett light .50 cal. semi-auto
(10) Beretta AR70 type semi-auto
(11) Bushmaster semi-auto rifle
(12) Calico models M-100 and M-900
(13) CIS SR 88 type semi-auto
(14) Claridge HI TEC C-9 carbines
(15) Colt AR-15, CAR-15, and all imitations except Colt AR-15 Sporter H-BAR rifle
(16) Daewoo MAX 1 and MAX 2, aka AR 100, 110C, K-1, and K-2
(17) Dragunov Chinese made semi-auto
(18) Famas semi-auto (.223 caliber)
(19) Feather AT-9 semi-auto
(20) FN LAR and FN FAL assault rifle
(21) FNC semi-auto type carbine
(22) F.I.E./Franchi LAW 12 and SPAS 12 assault shotgun
(23) Steyr-AUG-SA semi-auto
(24) Galil models AR and ARM semi-auto
(25) Heckler and KOCH HK-91 A3, HK-93 A2, HK-94 A2 and A3
(26) Holmes model 88 shotgun
(27) Avtomat Kalashnikov semiautomatic rifle in any format
(28) Manchester Arms "Commando" MK-45, MK-9
(29) Mandell TAC-1 semi-auto carbine
(30) Mossberg model 500 Bullpup assault shotgun
(31) Sterling Mark 6 (32) P.A.W.S. carbine
(33) Ruger mini-14 folding stock model (.223 caliber)
(34) SIG 550/551 assault rifle (.223 caliber)
(35) SKS with detachable magazine
(36) AP-74 Commando type semi-auto
(37) Springfield Armory BM-59, SAR-48, G3, SAR-3, M-21 sniper rifle, M1A, excluding
the M1 Garand
(38) Street sweeper assault type shotgun
(39) Striker 12 assault shotgun in all formats
(40) Unique F11 semi-auto type
(41) Daewoo USAS 12 semi-auto shotgun
(42) UZI 9mm carbine or rifle
(43) Valmet M-76 and M-78 semi-auto
(44) Weaver Arms "Nighthawk" semi-auto carbine or
(45) Wilkinson Arms 9mm semi-auto "Terry".
Direct questions to:
Maryland State Police
Firearms Registration Section
7751 Washington Boulevard
Jessup, Maryland 20794
(410) 799-0191
Updated 6

 

[ridethemessiah]

what bothers me is that the idiot legislators from maryland had to consult with gun experts in order to form this pointless list. Why didnt those gun experts explain to them how effing retarded this ******** is.

 

[rj1974]

Soooo anything with out a M203 cut ??????????

 

[QuebecoisWolf]

Soooo anything with out a M203 cut ??????????

I could make a compelling argument that the M203 cut indicates a heavy barrel. One of the changes made on the A2 series was the adoption of a thicker, heavier barrel. Because the M203 had been developed for the thinner A1 profile barrel, it didn't fit on the new rifle. Hence, the new barrel was given a cut.

Would I gamble my property and freedom on that argument holding up with a Maryland jury? Hell no.

 

[Minuteman]

Wow, really? Am I reading this right?
"...any AR with a barrel that we could "articulate" was heavy barreled rifle could be sold non-regulated..."

So what popular AR's do you feel are non-regulated?

 

[Inigoes]

Wow, really? Am I reading this right?
"...any AR with a barrel that we could "articulate" was heavy barreled rifle could be sold non-regulated..."

So what popular AR's do you feel are non-regulated?

Make sure there is "heavy barrel" or "HBAR" somewhere visible.

 

[kalister1]

Articulate does not = Marked

 

[NateIU10]

Make sure there is "heavy barrel" or "HBAR" somewhere visible.

Why?

 

[erwos]

Not to rain on the OP's parade, but this has been the MSP's policy for years and years.

 

[Norton]

Not to rain on the OP's parade, but this has been the MSP's policy for years and years.

Yup.

 

[AliasNeo07]

Doesn't need to be marked. I bought an Olympic Arms with a heavy barrel but wasn't marked as such at a local gun shop when I was 19.

 

[A1Uni]

Make sure there is "heavy barrel" or "HBAR" somewhere visible.

We specifically asked if it had to be stamped "HBAR," and the answer was no, you just have to be able to "articulate" that it is a heavy barreled gun.

The stepped barreled ARs do not qualify, and are regulated.

To "articulate" we put a printout of the manufacturer's description that says HBAR or heavy barrel in the sales file of each rifle in question so that we can prove that the sale was appropriate when we get audited.

I would urge dealers to verify this for themselves and not rely on my word alone, but this came directly from the unit that audits Maryland Regulated Dealers and their sales practices.

 

[A1Uni]

Not to rain on the OP's parade, but this has been the MSP's policy for years and years.

I am sure you are right, but give us a break, we are relatively new gun dealers.

I would also add that I know of several shops that still do Form 77s on ARs that could be sold unregulated under state law.

 

[jvegas]

Not to rain on the OP's parade, but this has been the MSP's policy for years and years.

Not entirely true. When I got my RFD license last year, I was told by the trooper doing the class that the barrel had to be stamped HBAR.

 

[K31]

what bothers me is that the idiot legislators from maryland had to consult with gun experts in order to form this pointless list. Why didnt those gun experts explain to them how effing retarded this ******** is.

Maybe these "gun experts" were just the same morons who formed Diane Fienstein's list of evil features by looking at pictures of guns and deciding which were scary.

Face it, if your looking for logic in any of this crappola you aren't going to find it. In the end it just boils down to SSDD. They can outright ban firearms so they try to nickel and dime you to death.

 

[QuebecoisWolf]

Maybe these "gun experts" were just the same morons who formed Diane Fienstein's list of evil features by looking at pictures of guns and deciding which were scary.

Face it, if your looking for logic in any of this crappola you aren't going to find it. In the end it just boils down to SSDD. They can outright ban firearms so they try to nickel and dime you to death.

Or maybe they're geniuses - make it as confusing as possible and the FFLs will be so afraid of accidentally breaking the law that they'll regulate themselves. Out of state dealers will be so scared that they won't even sell to anybody with a Maryland address.

Though this be madness, there is method to it.

 

[bkuether]

What does "sporter" mean? I take that as no dust cover and no shell deflector. I am no expert. School me (nicely) please.....

 

[NateIU10]

What does "sporter" mean? I take that as no dust cover and no shell deflector. I am no expert. School me (nicely) please.....

I would say bull barrel varmint style, but I have no idea.

 

[boardboy330]

I had the same conversation with MSP a few months ago. I will be CNC an HBAR next time in town.

 

[tdt91]

Dumbocrate liberals use no logic in thier argument. It's all about feelings. Thats why everything they put thier hands on is F'd up.