Phalanx Defense

Buying a Handgun in Maryland

What the process looks like in a store and online, and how to choose a handgun that fits you.

Before you buy In a store Online Choosing the right gun

This page summarizes the Maryland State Police (MSP) published guidance and was last reviewed on October 13, 2026. Fees, forms and timelines can change, so confirm on the MSP website before you buy. It covers handguns only and is general information, not legal advice.

Before you buy

  • You need an HQL. Unless you are exempt, you must hold a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) before the application is submitted, and again when the handgun is transferred to you. Not sure how to get one? See After Your Class: HQL.
  • The handgun must be on Maryland's roster. A handgun made after 1985 can be sold in Maryland only if the state's Handgun Roster Board has approved it. Confirm your model and caliber on the MSP Handgun Roster Board page before you commit, especially if you are shopping online.
  • Every sale needs an MSP 77R. It is required whether you buy from a dealer or a private seller, and you complete your part in the MSP Licensing Portal.
  • There is a 7-day waiting period. It starts when the MSP Licensing Division receives the submitted 77R, not when you start filling it out.
  • An HQL lets you buy. It does not let you carry. Carrying takes a separate Wear and Carry Permit.

Buying in a store

  1. Pick your handgun. Handle several, ideally after renting (see the tips below), and confirm the model is on the Maryland roster.
  2. Start your 77R online. Log in to the MSP Licensing Portal, click “Start 77R,” and submit your part. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes. You will get an email with an application number and a PIN.
  3. Go to a licensed Maryland dealer. Bring your application number, your PIN, a valid government-issued photo ID, and your HQL (printed or electronic). The dealer confirms your identity, adds the firearm and payment details, and submits the application. The MSP says this takes about 10 to 20 minutes. An MSP barrack can also complete this step.
  4. Wait. The 7-day waiting period starts when the MSP receives the dealer's submission.
  5. Check your email. You should hear a decision by the morning of the 8th day. If you are not disapproved, contact the dealer to arrange pickup.
  6. Pick it up. The dealer completes the federal paperwork and background check with you in person before you take the handgun home.

The MSP publishes a fee of for the 77R, paid electronically and non-refundable. Dealers may charge their own processing fees, so ask what the total will be before you go. If your application is disapproved or put on hold, you cannot receive the handgun. Contact the MSP Firearms Registration Unit.

Buying online

You can shop for a handgun online, but you cannot have it shipped to your home. Federal law requires a handgun bought online to go to a licensed dealer (FFL), who completes the transfer in person. In Maryland, that transfer still includes the HQL, the 77R and the 7-day wait.

  1. Check the roster first. Confirm the exact model and caliber is approved for sale in Maryland before you pay. An unlisted handgun cannot be sold here.
  2. Choose a Maryland dealer to receive it. Call ahead. Ask whether they accept online transfers, what they charge, and how they handle the 77R timing, since the 7-day wait starts when they submit it.
  3. Give the seller your dealer's information. The seller ships the handgun to your dealer, never to you.
  4. Complete the paperwork with your dealer. You will do the 77R, show your ID and HQL, and complete the federal paperwork and background check in person.
  5. Pick it up once the MSP has not disapproved the application and the dealer has the handgun.

Red flags: a seller who offers to ship to your home, a deal that skips the dealer, or any website that asks you to pay for the application outside the official MSP portal. Private sales in Maryland must also go through a dealer or an MSP barrack.

Choosing the right handgun

The best handgun is the one you can shoot well, comfortably and safely. A few habits help:

  • Rent before you buy. Most ranges rent popular handguns. Try several for a few magazines each, and ask the range staff to show you how each one works.
  • Think about what it is for. A handgun for home defense, for carry or for the range can be a different choice. Size and weight matter most for carry.
  • Check the fit. Look at how the grip fits your hand, whether you can reach the controls without shifting your grip, how the trigger feels, and whether you can work the slide.
  • Notice recoil. A handgun you flinch at is hard to shoot well. Smaller and lighter does not mean easier to shoot.
  • Ask more than one person. Opinions vary, and people are often loyal to what they own. Talk to your instructor and range staff, and listen for reasons, not hype.
  • Plan the real cost. Budget for ammunition, range time, a quality holster if you plan to carry, a safe or lock box, and more training.
  • Do not buy in a hurry. The 7-day wait is a good time to keep practicing and learning.
  • Plan for safe storage on day one. Have a secure place ready before the handgun comes home.

Official resources

Questions? Call or text 301-337-9050 or email info@phalanxdefensemd.com.