Home Table of Contents

§ 4-301. Definitions

West's Annotated Code of MarylandCriminal LawEffective: October 1, 2018

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Criminal Law (Refs & Annos)
Title 4. Weapon Crimes
Subtitle 3. Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2018
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-301
Formerly cited as MD CODE Art. 27, § 36H-1
§ 4-301. Definitions
In general
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
Assault long gun
(b) “Assault long gun” means any assault weapon listed under § 5-101(r)(2) of the Public Safety Article.
Assault pistol
(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.
Assault weapon
(d) “Assault weapon” means:
(1) an assault long gun;
(2) an assault pistol; or
(3) a copycat weapon.
Binary trigger system
(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.
Bump stock
(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.
Burst trigger system
(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.
Copycat weapon
(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.
Detachable magazine
(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.
Flash suppressor
(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.
Hellfire trigger
(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.
Licensed firearms dealer
(l) “Licensed firearms dealer” means a person who holds a dealer's license under Title 5, Subtitle 1 of the Public Safety Article.
Rapid fire trigger activator
(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.
Trigger crank
(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.

Credits

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2013, c. 427, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2018, c. 252, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018.
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 4-301, MD CRIM LAW § 4-301
Current with all legislation from the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document