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Free Maryland Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale

Maryland is one of the strictest gun states in the country, and the rules for transferring a firearm — even between private parties — are very different from neighboring Virginia or Pennsylvania. To transfer a handgun or assault-style firearm in Maryland, the buyer must hold a Handgun Qualification License (HQL), the transfer must go through the Maryland State Police on form 77R, and a 7-day waiting period applies before the buyer can take possession. Long guns (rifles and shotguns that are not classified as assault weapons) have fewer requirements but still call for a careful bill of sale. The 2023 expansion of Maryland's assault-weapons restrictions also reshaped what can be sold and to whom.

Maryland Requirements: Transfer title within 60 days. 6% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Gun / Firearm Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

Important: Federal and state laws may require a background check for firearm transfers. This bill of sale does not replace any legal requirements for background checks, waiting periods, or other regulations. Please consult your local laws before completing this transaction.

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Private firearm sales carry more legal requirements than most buyers realize — background check laws, waiting periods, and prohibited-person rules vary widely by state. Our guide explains when a bill of sale is legally required and what it must say. Read: Do I Need a Bill of Sale? →

Maryland Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
MSP Licensing Division
Maryland State Police Licensing Division
Primary ID Field
Serial Number
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
No
Firearms are not titled in Maryland, but regulated firearms (handguns and assault weapons) require Maryland State Police processing for every transfer — including private sales. The MSP form 77R is filed for each regulated firearm transfer, and a 7-day waiting period applies after MSP approval before the buyer takes possession.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

Maryland 6% sales tax does not generally apply to private casual firearm transfers but does apply to dealer sales. Regulated firearm transfers also include MSP processing fees.

Inspection Requirements

No firearm inspection by the state, but every regulated firearm transfer in Maryland requires an MSP-administered background check, the seller and buyer must complete form 77R, and the buyer must hold a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) for handgun transfers.

Maryland Gun / Firearm Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Verify the buyer holds a valid Maryland Handgun Qualification License (HQL) for any handgun transfer
  2. Both parties complete MSP form 77R for every regulated firearm (handgun, assault-style)
  3. Submit the 77R to the Maryland State Police and wait 7 days after approval before transferring possession
  4. Document make, model, caliber/gauge, serial number, and barrel length on the bill of sale
  5. Confirm buyer is 21+ for handguns, 18+ for long guns, and not federally prohibited
  6. For private long-gun sales (non-regulated), a bill of sale is best practice though MSP filing is not required
  7. Be aware of 2023 assault-weapon restriction expansions before transferring any AR/AK pattern firearm

Common Pitfalls

  • Transferring a handgun to a buyer without an HQL — both parties commit a crime
  • Skipping the MSP 77R for a regulated firearm transfer — illegal even between friends
  • Handing over the firearm before the 7-day waiting period expires
  • Selling a firearm now banned under the 2023 assault-weapons expansion to an unqualified buyer
  • Failing to record the serial number — making theft recovery and chain-of-custody nearly impossible
  • Assuming reciprocity with Virginia or Pennsylvania rules — Maryland law is materially stricter

Pro Tip

Use our Maryland gun bill of sale builder to create a clean record, but remember Maryland's rules are strict — verify the HQL, file the 77R for regulated firearms, and respect the 7-day waiting period before delivery.

Maryland Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale — FAQs

Do I need a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) to buy a handgun in Maryland?
Yes. Since 2013, Maryland has required buyers to obtain a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) before they can buy, rent, or receive any handgun — including private transfers. To get an HQL you must be 21 or older, complete a 4-hour MSP-approved firearms safety course (with live-fire training), pass a fingerprint-based background check, and pay the application fee. The HQL takes about 30 days to issue. There are no exemptions for private sales — even buying a handgun from a relative requires the buyer to hold a valid HQL.
How does the Maryland 7-day waiting period work?
After a regulated firearm transfer is initiated through Maryland State Police on form 77R, the MSP conducts a background check and review. A mandatory 7-day waiting period applies before the buyer can take physical possession of the firearm — even if the background check clears earlier. The clock starts from MSP receipt of the application. The seller may not deliver the firearm until the 7 days have passed AND the MSP has issued an approval (or has not disapproved within statutory limits). This rule applies to private sales, not just dealer transactions.
What changed with the 2023 Maryland assault-weapons law?
In 2023 Maryland substantially expanded restrictions on assault-style firearms, including additional models and configurations of AR-15 and AK pattern rifles, and tightened rules on transfers, magazine capacities, and grandfathering. Many firearms that were legal to transfer privately before the law took effect now have restricted transfer pathways or are prohibited altogether. Before transferring any AR-15, AK-47, or similar semi-automatic rifle in Maryland, check current MSP guidance — the rules have moved several times, and selling a now-restricted firearm to an unqualified buyer is a serious offense.
Can I sell a long gun (rifle or shotgun) privately in Maryland without MSP involvement?
Long guns that are NOT classified as regulated firearms (most standard rifles and shotguns) can be transferred privately in Maryland without filing form 77R or going through the MSP. The buyer must be 18+ and not federally prohibited from possessing firearms. However, a written bill of sale documenting the make, model, serial number, sale price, and both parties' information is strongly recommended for liability protection. Note that any rifle classified as an assault weapon under Maryland law IS regulated and DOES require MSP processing — ordinary bolt-action rifles and pump shotguns do not.

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