Published on 6/17/2022, 5:26:00 PM

Fast facts: Maryland's new Ghost Gun Laws evaluated by a Ghost gun lawyer

Maryland recently passed a new set of Ghost Gun Laws that have taken effect as of June 1, 2022. There are new penalties for receiving, selling, exchanging, or transferring what are commonly referred to as "ghost guns", which have taken effect as of June 1, 2022.

While this may seem like a simple law, it has actually expanded the generally understood meaning of "firearm" in under certain parts of Maryland law.

If you've received a ghost gun charge under Maryland's Ghost Gun Laws, you may be confused. This article will seek to clear up some of the common misconceptions reported by news agencies, and explain how Maryland's firearms laws have been modified by this new bill.

Maryland gun laws aren't simple. This article written by a Maryland Criminal Defense lawyer should explain the newest Maryland ghost gun laws, and explain how law enforcement will try to use them in the coming years.

What is a "Ghost Gun"?

A Ghost gun is a new term, used to describe a firearm that was assembled without a commercially-applied serial number. Many organizations call these firearms "untraceable" or "more dangerous" when in practicality, most firearms are tracked through round and catridge anaylsis, as serial numbers typically only reveal information about the first purchaser of a firearm.

Many firearms are transferred or sold after their first purchase, and this information does not necessarily travel with the serial number through the life of a firearm.

How are people getting ghost guns?

These "ghost" weapons are commonly sold online as a "build it yourself" styled kit. These kits have been used as a workaround for federal background checks, as a person's background isn't checked when purchasing gun parts, as they were not considered a "firearm" until assembled.

Many kit guns that are found in Maryland criminal cases are handguns, specifically, Polymer 80 9mm handguns. Notwithstanding this, Maryland's new ghost gun laws effect all firearms without serial numbers, not just 9mm kit guns.

Maryland, and other States across the United States, have seen a rise in confiscations of these "ghost guns" and in response have sought to pass laws outlawing the possession, purchasing, selling, and exchanging of these firearms.

First - What is a "firearm"?

Most Maryland Ghost Gun cases will involve handgun related charges from two different areas of law, each of which has a different standard for what a firearm actually is. Additionally, different charges may apply based on the type of weapon, a handgun, or one of the "assault weapons" or "assault pistols".

Public Safety Article Definition

The new Maryland gun law passed redefines a "firearm" under Public Safety Article 5-101 to:

1. "Firearm" means:
   (i) a weapon that expels, is designed to expel, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; or
   (ii) the frame or receiver of such a weapon.

2. "Firearm" includes a starter gun.

We are still left with the question, what is a "frame or receiver?"

We can look to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and firearms for an answer. The image to the left comes from a recent powerpoint they've posted about this exact issue. They have recently re-defined these phrases to:

"frame" now means the part of a handgun or "variants" (also a defined term) using a handgun design, that provides housing or a structure for the sear or equivalent-that part that holds back the hammer, striker, bolt, or similar component prior to firing.

"receiver" means the part of a rifle, shotgun, or projectile weapon other than a handgun, or variants, that provides housing or a structure for the bolt, breechblock or other primary component designed to block or seal the breech prior to firing.

Source

Maryland laws have no specific definition for these gun parts.

Criminal Article Definition

Maryland has criminal statutes related to the wearing, carrying, or transporting of both handguns and assault weapons.

With regards to handguns, many of which are currently considered ghost guns, the wearing, carrying and transporting of these weapons on public roadways or in public is currently a crime.

The tricky part is that the term "handgun" is actually undefined under the Maryland Criminal Code. The term was judicially defined in Howell v. State, 278 Md. 389 (1976) to include a requirement that a handgun must be "capable of propelling missile by gunpowder or similar explosive". Currently, under Maryland gun laws, the State must show the seized firearm is capable of firing

Howell says that a handgun must be a firearm or be "readily convertible" into a firearm, which could exclude just a frame or receiver. Currently, operability is typically proven with a test fire certificate and witness testimony from law enforcement officers.

Maryland Assault weapons charges

With regards to assault weapons, there is an exhaustive list of what is an "assault weapon" under Maryland law contained in the public safety article.

New Criminal Acts

Included in Senate Bill 387 is the creation of a new subtitle in the Public Safety Article related to firearms. This subtitle is named "Subtitle 7. Untraceable Firearms".

Contained within that subtitle is a new statute, 5-703, which outlaws the purchase, sale, offer to sell or transfer of an unfinished frame or receiver unless it is equipped, in compliance with federal law, with a serial number.

PS 5-703(b) POSS FIREARM W/O SERIAL#

The crime of possessing a firearm without a serial number is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 5 years of jail time and/or a $10,000 fine.

These potential fines and jail time are in addition to other criminal penalties a person could face for Maryland gun charges related to illegal possession by a prohibited person, like a felon.

Are Ghost Guns really more dangerous?

This is a complicated question. Federal background checks have rarely stopped prohibited persons from getting their hands on firearms. Many handguns are bought and sold illegally on the street, which enables felons and other prohibited persons to access firearms. The popular build it yourself firearms kits are another avenue for prohibited persons to potentially build a firearm.

Additionally, these firearms are often poorly constructed, and can cause a risk to their user and the public.

Aren't Ghost Guns untraceable?

As far as being "untraceable", firearms are usually connected to multiple crimes through analysis of rounds and casings fired by the weapons that are then compared to other rounds or casings contained within the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network or "NIBIN" database.

A serial number doesn't change this analysis, nor does it make a gun any more "traceable", besides showing who first purchased the weapon. Often firearms are stolen, bought, and sold, so the original owner is typically not the one being charged with possession of the handgun or using it in a crime.

A ghost gun has no serial number, so its origin is always unknown.

Speak with a Maryland Criminal defense lawyer today

Have you received charges under a ghost gun law Maryland? It's possible you had a gun in your car, that you didn't realize was a "ghost gun". Our firm, FrizWoods, can help defend your charges. Contact us today for a free consultation, our phone lines are open 24/7. Speak with Max Frizalone or Luke Woods in a confidential consultation.

Maryland Ghost Gun Lawyer

Don't try and handle your criminal case on your own, speak with an attorney at law today to avoid a potential for a criminal record. The criminal justice system isn't easy, that's why you need an expert on your side.