NICS for Firearm Pawn and Redemptions
All Maryland Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL) must contact the Maryland State Police Licensing Division for all handgun transfers, including NICS requests for pre-pawn and redemptions of handguns and of “other” firearms (frames, receivers, etc. of MD regulated firearms only). Redemption means the return of a regulated firearm to the owner after it was pawned or placed on consignment.
NICS request for pawn / redemption
A NICS Transaction Number (NTN) for the following transaction types, as defined by FBI NICS, will be requested through the NICS Request for Pawn/Redemption process.
- Pre-Pawn of a Handgun: Pre-Pawn of Other (Frame, Receiver, etc. of MD regulated firearms only).
- Redemption of Handgun: Redemption of Other (Frame, Receiver, etc. of MD regulated firearms only).
All Type 02 FFLs and Regulated Firearms Dealers requiring access to the NICS Request for Pawn/Redemption page must register with Maryland State Police Licensing Division. Registration can be completed by emailing [email protected].
Processing times
Federal law provides for a three business day response time. A business day is defined as a 24-hour day (beginning at 12:01 a.m. the day after the check is initiated) on which State offices are open. During normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), the Licensing Division will make every reasonable effort to process these requests within the same business day.
Regulated firearms
The following list of transaction types can only be conducted by FFLs who are Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealers. These transactions are conducted through the Licensing Portal:
- Sale of a Handgun
- Sale of Other (Frame, Receiver, etc.)
- Rental of a Handgun
- Private Sale of Handgun
- Private Sale of Other (Frame, Receiver, etc.)
- Private Sale Returned to Seller Handgun
- Private Sale Returned to Seller Other (Frame, Receiver, etc.)
To initiate a long gun-related background check in the State of Maryland, please contact: