PIKESVILLE, Md. – Beginning in November 2019, the Maryland Department of State Police Licensing Division, (MDSPLD) Firearms Services Section, has been experiencing significant application volume increases. The Firearms Services Section (FSS) is comprised of the Firearms Registration Unit, that processes applications to purchase regulated firearms (77R), the Handgun Qualification Unit, that processes Handgun Qualification Licenses (HQL) and the Handgun Permit Unit, that reviews and processes the wear and carry permit (handgun permit).
Each of these units has statutorily mandated time periods to complete their respective functions. These are as follows:
• Regulated Firearm Purchase Applications (77R): 7 days
• Handgun Qualification License (HQL): 30 days
• Handgun Permit Unit (Wear and Carry Permit): 90 days
Due to these significant volume increases, each of these units has been experiencing delays in their normal processing times. Despite the increases, each unit continues to complete their respective applications within the statutory requirements.
The MDSPLD has taken a number of steps to enhance customer service by streamlining the application process and providing information resources during that process. In order to continue to meet our deadlines and provide good customer service, we ask that applicants refrain from contacting the respective unit to check on the ‘status’ of their application. Answering what can be hundreds of phone calls and emails, per day, simply for a ‘status’ check, decreases the number of personnel who are dedicated to investigating applications and further delays the completion of these applications. Please be assured that if any issues are discovered during an investigation, an employee of the MDSPLD will make contact with the applicant. In the interim, applicants should be assured we are completing all applications within the required time set forth in law. Further information can be found on our website by clicking on the following link: Licensing Division