Bill > SB830

This bill, titled "Handgun Roster Reform," significantly alters the process for adding handguns to Maryland's authorized handgun roster, shifting primary responsibility for legal review from the Handgun Roster Board to the Attorney General. The Attorney General, or their designee, will now conduct a legal review of petitions to place a handgun on the roster, considering factors like concealability, accuracy, and utility for legitimate purposes, and must determine if the handgun is lawful under state and federal law before it can be considered for inclusion. Additionally, the Maryland State Police, or an accredited laboratory they contract with, will be responsible for conducting specific safety and functionality testing on handguns, including live fire, drop, and impact tests, with strict parameters for passing. The Handgun Roster Board's role is redefined to be primarily one of procedural oversight, compiling the roster based on the Attorney General's legal determinations and the results of the Maryland State Police testing, rather than making the initial approval decisions. The bill also updates the composition of the Handgun Roster Board to include a representative of handgun owners or advocacy groups, and mandates that all handguns currently on the roster be re-evaluated for legality by October 1, 2026.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0830?ys=2026RS