{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-public-safety-5-132","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Public Safety § 5–132","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(2) “Authorized user” means the owner of a handgun or a person authorized by the owner to possess and use the handgun.\n(3) “External safety lock” means an external device that is:\n(i) attached to a handgun with a key or combination lock; and\n(ii) designed to prevent a handgun from being discharged unless the device has been deactivated.\n(4) “Handgun” does not include a signal, starter, or blank pistol.\n(5) “Handgun Roster Board” means the Handgun Roster Board established under § 5-404 of this title.\n(6) “Integrated mechanical safety device” means a disabling or locking device that is:\n(i) built into a handgun; and\n(ii) designed to prevent the handgun from being discharged unless the device has been deactivated.\n(7) “Personalized handgun” means a handgun manufactured with incorporated design technology that:\n(i) allows the handgun to be fired only by the authorized user; and\n(ii) prevents any of the safety characteristics of the handgun from being readily deactivated.\n(b) This section does not apply to:\n(1) the purchase, sale, or transportation of a handgun to or by a federally licensed gun dealer or manufacturer that provides or services a handgun for:\n(i) personnel of any unit of the federal government;\n(ii) members of the armed forces or the National Guard;\n(iii) law enforcement personnel of the State or any local law enforcement agency in the State while acting within the scope of their official duties; and\n(iv) an organization that is required by federal law governing its specific business or activity to maintain handguns and applicable ammunition;\n(2) a firearm modified to be permanently inoperative;\n(3) the sale or transfer of a handgun by a federally licensed gun dealer or manufacturer covered under item (1) of this subsection;\n(4) the sale or transfer of a handgun by a federally licensed gun dealer or manufacturer to a lawful customer outside the State; or\n(5) an antique firearm.\n(c) (1) A dealer may not sell, offer for sale, rent, or transfer in the State a handgun manufactured on or before December 31, 2002, unless the handgun is sold, offered for sale, rented, or transferred with an external safety lock.\n(2) On or after January 1, 2003, a dealer may not sell, offer for sale, rent, or transfer in the State a handgun manufactured on or after January 1, 2003, unless the handgun has an integrated mechanical safety device.\n(d) (1) The Handgun Roster Board annually shall:\n(i) review the status of personalized handgun technology; and\n(ii) on or before July 1, report its findings to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.\n(2) In reviewing the status of personalized handgun technology under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Handgun Roster Board shall consider:\n(i) the number and variety of models and calibers of personalized handguns that are available for sale;\n(ii) each study, analysis, or other evaluation of personalized handguns conducted or commissioned by:\n1. the National Institute of Justice;\n2. a federal, State, or local law enforcement laboratory; or\n3. any other entity with an expertise in handgun technology; and\n(iii) any other information that the Handgun Roster Board considers relevant.","path":["Article - Public Safety"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gps\u0026section=5-132","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T20:00:18Z","sha256":"1b92f9bbe48fd50b2af557226e8ea2185aa4fa734c1f42e1799e1f8b6468fb9b","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-public-safety-5-130","next":"us-md/md.-code-public-safety-5-133"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}