Firearm, Permits, and Licensing Archive of Bulletins, Advisories, and Documents

The Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP)  is committed to the proactive release of documents as part of our dedication to transparency with the public. The disclosure of public records requires continuous updates as we continue to provide access to agency records and publications​. 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II final rule, individuals are entitled to request an accessible version of any electronic document presented on this website. Please contact First Sgt. Donald Pickle with the name of the document, the desired file type, and the accommodation needed. The requested file will be provided within a 3 week timeframe. It is possible that some requests may take longer due to the size, complexity, or the graphical nature of the respective document. For additional information, please contact First Sgt. Donald Pickle with any questions or concerns about this process.

Firearm Dealers Advisories

Regulated Firearm Purchases

LESO Program - LEA Assets 2025 - DOCX - 200.54 KB

Designated Collector Application Advisory - PDF - 43.72 KB

Application Submission Instructions for Privately Made Firearms and Unfinished Frames or Receivers

Approved Safety Devices - PDF - 78.91 KB

Portal Firearm Transfer Procedure - PDF - 715.77 KB

Copycat Weapon - PDF - 91.55 KB

Presentation at FBI NICS Dealer Day 2024 seminar - PDF - 1.1 MB

Handgun Qualification License

LD-HQL-24-001, Proof of Training Certificate Required - PDF - 96.59 KB

LD-HQL-23-001, Handgun Qualification License (HQL) Renewal - PDF - 94.15 KB

LD-HQL-23-002, Activation of the HQL renewal process - PDF - 128.17 KB

LD-HQL-23-003, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit HQL Decision - PDF - 87.53 KB

LD-HQL-20-003, Discontinuing Printing of Handgun Qualification License Cards - PDF - 119.62 KB

LD-HQL-20-002, HQL Virtual Training and Email - PDF - 56.24 KB

HQL user’s guide - PDF - 3.01 MB

Wear and Carry Permit

LD-HPU-24-001, Portal Accounts and HGP Electronic Communication - PDF - 137.33 KB

LD-HPU-22-003-REVISED, W&C Permit Modification Guidance - PDF - 92.91 KB

LD-HPU-22-002, Suspension of “Good and Substantial Reason” Standard for Md Wear & Carry Permits - PDF - 139.59 KB

LD-HPU-21-001, Portal Outage and Electronic Payments - PDF - 146.24 KB

LD-CS-21-001, Termination of License Extensions - PDF - 191.17 KB

LD-HGP-20-002 - Maryland State Police Certified Qualification Score Sheet (29-14) - PDF - 90.35 KB

LD-HPU-20-001, Handgun Permit Virtual Training - PDF - 297.07 KB

LD-HGP-19-001, Armed Security Guard / Private Detective Wear and Carry Permit Card Issuance - PDF - 50.88 KB

LD-HPU-Bulletin-14-001 - Live Scan Fingerprinting For Maryland State Police Wear And Carry Permit Applicants - PDF - 66.01 KB

News release - Maryland State Police Licensing Division Portal Update - PDF - 112.28 KB

Public Safety – Untraceable Firearms, Senate Bill 387 - PDF - 153.74 KB

Federal Firearms Licensees Providing Maryland Mandated Marking Services, Updated 05/2025 - PDF - 70.7 KB

Wear and Carry Portal User’s Guide manual - PDF - 3.11 MB

Maryland State Police Wear and Carry Training Course - PDF - 2.33 MB

MSP 29-14 Certified Qualification Score Sheet - PDF - 184.19 KB

Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act ID Card

Form 29-40C - Certification of Prior Law Enforcement Employment - PDF - 153.04 KB

LEOSA Guidance document

SOP for processing LEOSA applications

Temporary Transfer Permits for Gun Shows

Temporary Transfer Permit application - PDF - 947.38 KB

FBI background check

FBI NICS Notification regarding handgun transfers processed by the State - PDF Jan 1, 2020

FBI NICS Handgun Transactions in Maryland Advisory - PDF

Machine guns

LD-CS-21-001, Termination of License Extensions - PDF - 191.17 KB

LD-FRU-21-001 - Bulletin reminding Regulated Firearms Dealers of the 2021/2022 license renewal - PDF - 207.96 KB

Untraceable Firearm Registration

Step-by-step registration instructions - PDF - 947.38 KB

Untraceable Firearms (Privately Made Firearms / Ghost Guns)

LD-FRU-22-003-REVISED - REVISED Advisory providing guidance of Senate Bill 387 (Untraceable Firearms) - PDF - 210.35 KB

Untraceable Firearms (Senate Bill 387) Advisor - PDF - 210.35 KB, May 27, 2022

Federal Firearms Licensees Providing Maryland Mandated Marking Services - PDF - 70.7 KB

Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Marking Service Advisory - PDF - 235.99 KB Jun 1, 2022

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Final Rule

Application Submission Instructions for Privately Made Firearms and Unfinished Frames or Receivers - PDF - 947.38 KB

Professionals licenses

Advisories

LD-PLU-25-003 - Agency License Holders Performing Private Detective/Security Guard Services and Private Detective/Security Guard Agency Experience Requirements - PDF - 42.53 KB

LD-PLU-24-003 - REVISED - Mandatory Security Guard Training - PDF - 43.87 KB

LD-SSU-15-001 - Licensure Of Security Guard Agencies And Security Guards - PDF - 55.05 KB

LD-SSU-15-002 - Security Guard – Scope of Certification - PDF - 55.01 KB

Documents

Consent to Service Upon The Secretary Of The State Of Maryland - PDF - 15.05 KB

Tax Verification Form - PDF - 57.2 KB

Security Systems Technicians- Md. Business Occupations And Professions Code Ann. § 18-401 (2013)  - PDF - 100.38 KB

List of Security Guard and Private Detective Agencies - PDF