Do All Criminal Convictions Disqualify You From Owning Guns in Maryland?

 Posted on November 15, 2024 in Handgun Violations

While some people with minor misdemeanor convictions retain their firearms rights, most other people who have criminal convictions may be disqualified from owning firearms. Even if your past conviction did not involve a firearm, you might not be permitted to own one anymore. If you have been convicted of any crime that carries more than two years in prison or certain offenses involving violence, you may not be allowed to own a gun in Maryland. Anyone who has been convicted of a crime and owns a gun should consult an experienced Towson firearm attorney to verify that you are not committing another offense by keeping a firearm in your possession.

Felons Cannot Own Firearms in Maryland 

People who have been convicted of any felony in Maryland are not permitted to own firearms. This is true even if your felony conviction was for a non-violent offense that had nothing to do with guns. For example, even people who have been convicted of white-collar felonies like embezzlement lose their gun rights in Maryland. While the goal of these restrictions is to keep serious criminals from possessing firearms, these laws affect people who have no history of violence and have never used a gun before.

Certain Misdemeanor Convictions Can Disqualify You From Owning Guns 

In many states, people who commit non-violent misdemeanors keep their firearms rights. However, Maryland does things a bit differently. In Maryland, if the offense you were convicted of carries more than two years behind bars, you are no longer permitted to own guns. Most states create criminal laws so that all felonies carry at least one year in prison, and all misdemeanors carry no more than one year in jail. However, in Maryland, misdemeanors can carry multiple years in prison.

If the misdemeanor you were convicted of could have led to a sentence of two or more years, you cannot own a gun, even if your actual sentence included little or no jail time.

People With Past Firearms-Related Convictions May Lose Their Gun Rights 

If your past conviction involved mishandling a firearm, you may be disqualified from owning guns. These laws are meant to prevent people who have a history of storing or handling guns in a way that could cause injury to others from continuing to keep guns.

Alcohol and Drug Crimes and Firearm Rights 

People who are habitually intoxicated or addicted to drugs are not permitted to own guns in Maryland. If you have multiple DUI convictions or multiple convictions for drug possession, you may be deemed a habitual drug or alcohol user.

Contact a Towson, MD Firearms Crimes Attorney

Seger Law, LLC is dedicated to providing the best criminal defense services possible to people who were arrested for possession of a firearm after a criminal conviction. Experienced Baltimore County, MD gun crime lawyer Chelsey Seger will fight for you. Contact us at 443-208-4692 for a free consultation.