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MD resident buying handguns with non compliant mags
PlayoffP
Member Posts: 3 ✭
Hi so basically, MD has a 10rd cap for handguns. If I buy a gun on here but it comes with 12rd+ mags, will the seller just switch them out before shipping or will my local FFL just deny the transfer? Any knowledge or feedback would be appreciated, thanks.
Comments
Don’t bid on something that is illegal for you to own.
It is not the seller’s problem & you should not expect it to be.
Being a dealer I can tell you that there are a few ways that this can play out:
1) unless the seller clearly states in his listing that he will switch out non compliant magazines to those with 10 round capacity, there is no reason to expect him to do so.
2) you get the gun, but with no magazines...and with no compensation for the missing magazines. This is by far the most likely scenario.
3) this one was my favorite back when I was a dealer in CA: the seller ships the pistol to me with the standard capacity magazines. You can't have them (no way, no how) , so I promptly remove them from the box and then put into my LEO only sales case, or take home with me (I can have them). When you come in to pick up the pistol you could either BUY compliant 10 round magazines from me, or go out and find them yourself.
Bottom line, don't take anything for granted. Ask before you bid, especially if the pistol in question is out of the ordinary and magazines of any capacity are hard to find or expensive...or both.
I
Hey thanks for the response. Standard mags are not illegal for me to own I just can't receive them from any MD FFL or ship them to a MD address. I could "hypothetically" just drive to PA or VA and buy standard mags and it would be 100% legal... has weird laws
Appreciate the detailed response. So is option #3 standard procedure for FFL's everywhere? I wouldn't mind getting the handgun with no mags, and then buying some later on.
Number 2 is the most likely: The seller keeps the magazines, ships the pistol and you go out and buy your own 10 round magazines. If the seller does include the non compliant magazines, it's Christmas time for your dealer, who will retain them for sale to LEOs or other qualified buyers...or take them home with him!
You left out a couple of levels of difficulty for MD residents: you cannot "import" most handguns that are not on the "Maryland Handgun Roster", regardless of magazine capacity. See the MSP website. And, you cannot receive a handgun unless you have a "Handgun Qualification License". Even with the HQL, you will have to get an additional background check.
A few MD dealers have permission from the Maryland State Police to alter (pin & weld) certain magazines to lower their capacity to 10. Fox Firearms in Laurel does, I'm sure that there are others. The shipping dealer will most likely need to have assurance from your receiving dealer that he is OK with that.
Neal
Or, you could move.....