2022 Maryland Statutes
Criminal Law
Title 4 - Weapon Crimes
Subtitle 3 - Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines
Section 4-301 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

    (b)    “Assault long gun” means any assault weapon listed under § 5–101(r)(2) of the Public Safety Article.

    (c)    “Assault pistol” means any of the following firearms or a copy regardless of the producer or manufacturer:

        (1)    AA Arms AP–9 semiautomatic pistol;

        (2)    Bushmaster semiautomatic pistol;

        (3)    Claridge HI–TEC semiautomatic pistol;

        (4)    D Max Industries semiautomatic pistol;

        (5)    Encom MK–IV, MP–9, or MP–45 semiautomatic pistol;

        (6)    Heckler and Koch semiautomatic SP–89 pistol;

        (7)    Holmes MP–83 semiautomatic pistol;

        (8)    Ingram MAC 10/11 semiautomatic pistol and variations including the Partisan Avenger and the SWD Cobray;

        (9)    Intratec TEC–9/DC–9 semiautomatic pistol in any centerfire variation;

        (10)    P.A.W.S. type semiautomatic pistol;

        (11)    Skorpion semiautomatic pistol;

        (12)    Spectre double action semiautomatic pistol (Sile, F.I.E., Mitchell);

        (13)    UZI semiautomatic pistol;

        (14)    Weaver Arms semiautomatic Nighthawk pistol; or

        (15)    Wilkinson semiautomatic “Linda” pistol.

    (d)    “Assault weapon” means:

        (1)    an assault long gun;

        (2)    an assault pistol; or

        (3)    a copycat weapon.

    (e)    “Binary trigger system” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, fires both when the trigger is pulled and on release of the trigger.

    (f)    “Bump stock” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, increases the rate of fire of the firearm by using energy from the recoil of the firearm to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation of the trigger.

    (g)    “Burst trigger system” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, allows the firearm to discharge two or more shots with a single pull of the trigger by altering the trigger reset.

    (h)    (1)    “Copycat weapon” means:

            (i)    a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has any two of the following:

                1.    a folding stock;

                2.    a grenade launcher or flare launcher; or

                3.    a flash suppressor;

            (ii)    a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds;

            (iii)    a semiautomatic centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 29 inches;

            (iv)    a semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds;

            (v)    a semiautomatic shotgun that has a folding stock; or

            (vi)    a shotgun with a revolving cylinder.

        (2)    “Copycat weapon” does not include an assault long gun or an assault pistol.

    (i)    “Detachable magazine” means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from a firearm without requiring disassembly of the firearm action or without the use of a tool, including a bullet or cartridge.

    (j)    “Flash suppressor” means a device that functions, or is intended to function, to perceptibly reduce or redirect muzzle flash from the shooter’s field of vision.

    (k)    “Hellfire trigger” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, disengages the trigger return spring when the trigger is pulled.

    (l)    “Licensed firearms dealer” means a person who holds a dealer’s license under Title 5, Subtitle 1 of the Public Safety Article.

    (m)    (1)    “Rapid fire trigger activator” means any device, including a removable manual or power–driven activating device, constructed so that, when installed in or attached to a firearm:

            (i)    the rate at which the trigger is activated increases; or

            (ii)    the rate of fire increases.

        (2)    “Rapid fire trigger activator” includes a bump stock, trigger crank, hellfire trigger, binary trigger system, burst trigger system, or a copy or a similar device, regardless of the producer or manufacturer.

        (3)    “Rapid fire trigger activator” does not include a semiautomatic replacement trigger that improves the performance and functionality over the stock trigger.

    (n)    “Trigger crank” means a device that, when installed in or attached to a firearm, repeatedly activates the trigger of the firearm through the use of a crank, a lever, or any other part that is turned in a circular motion.