What to Expect From Firearms Training in Maryland

Here in our state, if you want to own a firearm you must first complete firearms training in Maryland. Maryland residents are required to possess and present a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) prior to the purchase or transfer of a regulated firearm. A person may not purchase, rent, or receive a handgun after October 1, 2013 unless they possess a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) issued by the Maryland State Police. This necessary Handgun Qualification License training is a four-hour block of instruction. It includes classroom instruction on state firearm law, home firearm safety, handgun mechanisms and operation, and a live fire exercise.

To buy a regulated firearm in Maryland, you need to present to a FFL dealer (a legal gun store) with a picture ID proving your state of Maryland residency and age of 21 or older, along with your Handgun Qualification License (HQL). The HQL is actually issued by the Maryland State Police, not the company you take your training class with. You will fill out several forms supplied by the FFL dealer which will be sent to Maryland State Police and FBI for background investigation. Then, after an eight day waiting period, the gun store or dealer will receive your paperwork back. If authorities do not find any disqualifying factors, it will be stamped: "Not Disapproved". That means you're ready to finally make your purchase!

Let's talk more about this training class. What do you even learn there? For one, you'll learn basic gun safety. This includes pieces of advice like "Always point the muzzle in the safest direction!" and "Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot!" You'll learn the basics of the gun, like the parts of your firearm, and everything you need to know about ammo. A number of other items are taught, such as loading and unloading, being sure of your target and what lies beyond it, and knowing that even if the magazine is out of the gun there could be one round in the chamber. Two-thirds of deaths involving firearms annually in the US are suicides not homicides. For this reason, suicide prevention is also often discussed.

It is important to note that you do not need to have or purchase a firearm to take the training class. In fact, if you do not presently own a firearm then it is recommended by experts that you take class before you purchase a gun. You will be able to handle and try different firearms at the class. This experience will enable you to make an educated choice and avoid a costly mistake. Of course, if you don't have your HQL yet, it would be illegal to possess the gun to bring it to the training class, so this makes a lot of sense!

It is important to note that your HQL application must be accompanied by the receipt from the fingerprinting services in Maryland, dated by less than 30 days prior to submission. Otherwise, you will find yourself denied and taking the firearms training course all over again!

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Created on Nov 23rd 2020 02:58. Viewed 208 times.

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