2017 Maryland Code
Public Safety
Title 5 - Firearms
Subtitle 1 - Regulated Firearms
§ 5-145. Record keeping duties of licensed dealers.

  • (a) In general. --
    • (1) A licensed dealer shall keep records of all receipts, sales, and other dispositions of firearms affected in connection with the licensed dealer's business.
    • (2) The Secretary shall adopt regulations specifying:
      • (i) subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the information that the records shall contain;
      • (ii) the time period for which the records are to be kept; and
      • (iii) the form in which the records are to be kept.
    • (3) The records shall include:
      • (i) the name and address of each person from whom the dealer acquires a firearm and to whom the dealer sells or otherwise disposes of a firearm;
      • (ii) a precise description, including make, model, caliber, and serial number of each firearm acquired, sold, or otherwise disposed of; and
      • (iii) the date of each acquisition, sale, or other disposition.
    • (4) Records maintained under 18 U.S.C. ยง 923(g)(1)(a) may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section, if the Secretary is granted access to those records.
  • (b) Submission of information to Secretary. --
    • (1) When required by a letter issued by the Secretary, a licensee shall submit to the Secretary the information required to be kept under subsection (a) of this section for the time periods specified by the Secretary.
    • (2) The Secretary shall determine the form and method by which the records shall be maintained.
  • (c) Discontinuance and succession of business. -- When a firearms business is discontinued and succeeded by a new licensee, the records required to be kept under this section shall reflect the business discontinuance and succession and shall be delivered to the successor licensee.
  • (d) Response required within 48 hours of request. --
    • (1) A licensee shall respond within 48 hours after receipt of a request from the Secretary for information contained in the records required to be kept under this section when the information is requested in connection with a bona fide criminal investigation.
    • (2) The information requested under this subsection shall be provided orally or in writing, as required by the Secretary.
    • (3) The Secretary may implement a system by which a licensee can positively establish that a person requesting information by telephone is authorized by the Secretary to request the information.
  • (e) Availability of information to federal, State, or local law enforcement agency. -- The Secretary may make available to a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency any information that the Secretary obtains under this section relating to the identities of persons who have unlawfully purchased or received firearms.
  • (f) Inspections. -- The Secretary:
    • (1) shall inspect the inventory and records of a licensed dealer at least once every 2 years; and
    • (2) may inspect the inventory and records at any time during the normal business hours of the licensed dealer's business.
  • (g) Penalties. --
    • (1) A person who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $ 1,000 imposed by the Secretary.
    • (2) For a second or subsequent offense, a person who knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $ 10,000 or both.
    • (3) The penalties provided in this subsection are not intended to apply to inconsequential or inadvertent errors.
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