At Code 4 Arms, obviously we’d like to sell you the firearms you are looking for, but we understand that circumstances may arise that require a simple transfer instead. Our goal is to make transfers easy whether we are selling the firearms or not. We accept transfers of regulated firearms from other gun shops, businesses and individuals holding a valid FFL. We also process private transfers of regulated firearms between Maryland residents as needed.
TRANSFER TERMS:
All firearms for transfer must be Maryland compliant and listed on the Maryland Handgun Roster or be manufactured before 1985 (see “Maryland Regulations” in the RESOURCES section at the bottom of the page if you have any questions).
If the firearm is manufactured after 2002 it must be equipped with a Maryland approved “Integrated Mechanical Safety Device”. If you do not have an approved device, the list of which can be found here, we will have some for sale at cost if you are purchasing your firearm from us and with a small markup if it is coming from another dealer.
To receive the regulated firearm, you have to have a valid HQL or be exempt from needing one as described in the Regulated Firearms section below.
Charges for Transfers are listed on the SERVICES page and are based on the type of transfer required.
If the firearm arrives with high capacity magazines, you have a choice to get the firearm without the magazine, or have the magazine blocked so it only accepts 10 rounds, for an additional $20 (it is a Maryland Regulation that you cannot purchase a firearm with a magazine, or even a magazine alone, that holds more than 10 rounds.
3RD PARTY TRANSFER PROCESS:
If you have purchased a firearm from a 3rd Party FFL (e.g. Gunbroker) the supplier of your firearm will require a copy of our FFL in order to ship the firearm to us.
Please call or email us to arrange the transfer.
After we accept your transfer request and we e-mail the seller a copy of our FFL license, they will ship the gun to us for you to pick up (Be sure to have them include a copy of their FFL, your name and phone number).
Please note, we are not responsible for the speed at which your firearm arrives at our location.
FIREARM PURCHASE/TRANSFER PROCESS:
There are different processes depending on the type of firearm you are purchasing/transferring. We will address these individually below (except for NFA Firearms which we will cover in a different section).
Non-Regulated Firearm Transfer
Most Rifles and Shotguns (except those deemed “Regulated” Firearms by the ATF and those found on the Maryland Regulated (read as BANNED) Weapons List, which can be found here) are Non-Regulated Firearms. Non-Regulated Firearms have a fairly simple process for acquisition, which does not entail a wait period, and does not require a special license.
Once you’ve determined that the Rifle and/or Shotgun you are looking to purchase/transfer is not a regulated or banned firearm, the process works like this…
Bring your Valid Driver’s License, or other State Issued ID with your current address (along with a change of address card or valid proof of address if needed) to the Code 4 Arms location in Pylesville, MD. Acceptable proofs of address are Bank Statements, Insurance Cards, Utility Bills, Lease or Mortgage Statements, or a Vehicle Registration Card.
Here at C4A we will fill out Section A of ATF 4473 Form (if we haven’t already done so). This section describes the Firearm being purchased/transferred.
You will then fill out and sign Section B of the 4473 (either on paper or electronically) taking care to read and understand each question fully before answering. Keep in mind that certain answers, or obviously false answers, will disqualify you from being able to obtain a firearm.
We will then validate your answers with the pieces of identification you brought with you and submit a background check through the FBI’s eNICS platform. This is a “Real Time” background check and should not take very long. At this time you will pay your transfer fee if you are not purchasing the firearm from Code 4 Arms (Non-Regulated firearm transfers are processed for free if your firearm is purchased from C4A).
Your background check will come back with one of three responses:
Approved: If you get an “Approved” response, we will complete the 4473 Form, you will pay for your long gun (if not already paid for) and you can leave the store with it.
Delayed: If you get a response of “Delayed” you will get what is called a “Brady Date”. There are many reasons you may get a “Delayed” response, but what this really means is, if that date comes and goes and you have not been “Denied”, or the date extended, you can come finalize the 4473, pay for your long gun and leave the store with it.
Denied: If, however, you get a “Denied” response, you are then considered a “Prohibited Person”. This means you will not be allowed to handle or purchase a firearm, or even handle ammunition until you submit a voluntary appeal and receive an overturned decision.
Regulated Firearm Transfer
Regulated Firearms are, of course, a more complicated topic. From an ATF perspective “Regulated” Firearms are defined as:
- A shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length;
- A weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length;
- A rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length;
- A weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length;
- Any other weapon, as defined in subsection (e);
- A machinegun;
- Any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code);
- and A destructive device.
However, these “regulated” Firearms fall into a different class of firearms than what we are talking about here and are covered in our NFA Section via the Education link in the footer.
For our purposes, in the State of Maryland, a “Regulated” Firearm is simply a Handgun. Maryland has a “Regulated Firearm” list which can be found here, but for all intents and purposes these weapons are not so much “regulated” as BANNED. If the firearm you wish to transfer is not on the list from the link above and is not a handgun, it is a “non-regulated” weapon. If your firearm of choice is a handgun, then it is a REGULATED firearm and MUST be listed on the Maryland Handgun Roster for you to be able to transfer/purchase it. You can find, and search, the Maryland Handgun Roster on the bottom left of the page located here.
Once you have determined that the handgun you wish to purchase/transfer is legal in the State of Maryland, then you will need to jump though a number of hoops in order to do so. Those hoops work like this…
Hoop #1 – Obtaining a Maryland Handgun Qualification License (HQL)
Unless you are exempt (as detailed below)
- A Licensed Firearms Manufacturer.
- Active law enforcement officer or a person retired in good standing from a law enforcement agency of the United States (Federal Law Enforcement), the State, or a local law enforcement agency of the State.
- Active or retired member of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard and possesses a valid military identification card.
- A person purchasing, renting or receiving an antique, curio or relic as defined in federal law.
- A Maryland licensed firearms dealers. (Sole Proprietors)
you must possess a valid Maryland HQL to purchase or have a Regulated Firearm transferred to you.
Details on obtaining an HQL can be found here.
Once you have your HQL you will need to take your newly minted HQL, your Valid Driver’s License, or other State Issued ID with your current address (along with a change of address card or valid proof of address if needed) to the Code 4 Arms location in Pylesville, MD and jump through hoops number 2, 3, and 4…
Hoop #2 – ATF Form 4473
Here at C4A, we will fill out Section A of the ATF 4473 Form (if we haven’t already done so). This section describes the Firearm being purchased/transferred.
You will then fill out and sign Section B of the 4473 (either on paper or electronically) taking care to read and understand each question fully before answering. Keep in mind that certain answers, or obviously false answers, will disqualify you from being able to obtain a firearm.
Hoop #3 – Maryland Form 77R
While at C4A you will also need to fill out a Maryland Form 77R. We suggest you visit the Maryland State Police Licensing Portal here, create an account (if you don’t already have one), and complete Section 1 of the 77R before heading to our C4A location. Make sure you take the Application Number and PIN that you will be assigned with you as we will need them to complete the next steps. Once you arrive for you scheduled appointment, we will complete Section 2 of the 77R and submit for approval. At this time, usually, you will pay your Transfer Fee and MSP Processing Fee and you are ready for Hoop #4.
Hoop #4 – The Wait
Maryland requires a 7-day waiting period for Regulated Firearms. Technically, if a response is not received on your application by day 8, you are free to take possession of your firearm. However, not all FFLs allow that as it puts them in a potentially tricky situation with respect to liability, especially these days. At Code 4 Arms we address this on a case by case basis. In any case, once you have received your “Not Disapproved” response from the Maryland State Police, contact us by phone or e-mail and set up a time come pick up your firearm. Once here, we will validate that the the information you provided previously has not changed and will need to attest to that on the various forms you already filled out. At that point you just pay for your firearm, if you have not already done so, and head on your way.
