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Maryland Department of State Police

Regulated Firearms Dealers

A Regulated Firearms Dealer is a person who is, or seeks to be, engaged in the business of selling, renting, or transferring regulated firearms for either wholesale or retail. A  Regulated Firearms Dealer applicant must possess a valid Federal Firearms License prior to submitting an application to become a Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer.

Process changes/updates

There have been no changes to the application or the process in the last 12 months.​

Who needs to apply

To sell, rent, or transfer regulated firearms at wholesale or retail in Maryland, a State of Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer's License is required. Each business location where regulated firearms are sold, rented, or transferred needs a separate license. Applications must be submitted through the Licensing Portal and will not be processed without a valid Federal Firearms License (FFL).

Pre-application requirements

  • Submit Livescan fingerprints to the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and the FBI. Authorized LiveScan vendors can be found at Fingerprinting Services. Below is the information that you will need to provide to the LiveScan technician for fingerprinting:
    • Agency Authorization Number: 9400082473
      Agency ORI Number: MDMSP6000
      Reason Fingerprinted: MD Public Safety Article, Section 5-108

Applicants must sign and date the FBI Privacy Act Statement - PDF - 620.12 KB before submitting their fingerprints.

Livescan fingerprints are only required for original applications.

  • Applicant must possess:
    • a valid Federal Firearms License
    • a valid government issued photo identification card  (i.e. drivers license, passport)
    • a current trader's license (if you are selling ANY goods under your business license)
    • a retail sales tax license
  • A current digital passport style photograph of the applicant

How to apply

  1. Create or log into your existing Licensing Portal account.
  2. Once logged in, select “START DLR” on the Licensing Portal Dashboard.
  3. Complete the electronic application including submission of the above pre-application required documents.
  4. Pay the application fee and submit the application.
  5. The Licensing Division will schedule an onsite security and compliance inspection of the applicant’s business location and any location where firearms are stored.
  6. The Licensing Division will schedule the applicant for an in-person orientation training conducted at the Licensing Division.

Applications submitted by a corporation shall be completed and executed by a corporate officer who resides in Maryland.

Please allow 30 - 90 days for completion of the application process.

Regulated Firearms Dealer

Renewing your Regulated Firearms Dealer’s License

  • Your dealer’s license expires on the first June 30th after its effective date.
  • Fingerprints are not required for the renewal of an active dealer’s license.
  • Renewal reminders will be emailed as your expiration date approaches.
  • Your dealer’s license must be renewed before it expires, otherwise,  you will be required to start a new  application which will require new Livescan fingerprints.
  • To complete the dealer renewal, follow the “How To Apply” instructions list above. 

Application fees

Acceptable methods of payment include Visa or MasterCard. Application​ fees are non-refundable.

All application fees are collected electronically in the Licensing Portal. Application fees do not include fingerprint fees. 

  • Original application: $50.00

  • Renewal application: $25.00

  • Application modification: no charge

Application timeline

  • Applicant: 15-30 minutes
  • Licensing Division Processing Time: Once the Licensing Division electronically receives the completed application and the required application fee, the applicant background investigation will be completed. The applicant will be scheduled for an onsite security and compliance inspection and an in-person orientation training conducted at the Licensing Division. Once these requirements have been completed, a Regulated Firearms Dealer's license can be issued. This process can be completed within 30-90 days.

Statutes

Maryland regulated firearms dealer laws can be found in Title 5, Subtitle 1 of the Public Safety Article. The current version of any statute can be found at LexisNexis or the Maryland General Assembly's website​

Advisories and documents

Visit the archive section to view any prior Advisories and documents.

Questions?