Buying a gun online in Maryland and hunting rifles for Maryland game

Short answer: you can shop for a gun online as a Maryland buyer, but you cannot have it mailed to your home. A licensed dealer handles the paperwork and the background check, and you pick the gun up from them. Maryland adds its own steps on top of the federal ones, so read the state section below before you order.

How buying a gun online works

Buying online is a normal dealer sale with an online step at the start. The usual order is:

You choose a gun and a licensed dealer (an FFL) near you. In practice, online sellers send the gun to that dealer. Ask the dealer first about any transfer fee and what they need from you.
You fill out ATF Form 4473 at the dealer. Federal rules say a buyer from another State must meet the licensee in person at the licensee's premises, and the sale must follow the laws of both States (27 CFR 478.96(c)).
The dealer contacts NICS (the national background check) and writes the transaction number on the 4473. If NICS gives no answer, the dealer must wait three business days and may then proceed, unless the buyer is under 21. For buyers under 21, an extended review of up to ten business days applies (27 CFR 478.102).
If you pass, you take the gun home.

Item	Rule	Source
Minimum age, rifle or shotgun from a dealer	18	27 CFR 478.99(b)
Minimum age, handgun from a dealer	21	27 CFR 478.99(b)
Background check	NICS check before transfer; 3 business day default wait if no answer	27 CFR 478.102
Maryland regulated firearm application	MSP 77R, with a 7-day waiting period	Maryland State Police
Maryland handgun license	Handgun Qualification License (HQL), unless exempt	Maryland State Police

Maryland rules for regulated firearms

The Maryland State Police (MSP) say a buyer of a regulated firearm must complete the MSP 77R application and affidavit. It can only be completed through the MSP Licensing Portal. After you submit it, you get an email with an application number and a PIN. A licensed Maryland regulated firearms dealer needs both numbers.

MSP says the 7-day waiting period begins once the MSP Licensing Division receives your application.

For handguns, MSP says that unless you are exempt, you must hold a valid Handgun Qualification License (HQL) before you submit the 77R.

The MSP page does not say how these rules apply to rifles and shotguns. If you are buying a long gun, check current rules with the state attorney general, state police or your dealer.

Hunting in Maryland: the basics

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) runs hunting rules. Points below come from DNR pages and a DNR news notice for the 2025-2026 deer firearms season.

Hunter education. To buy a Maryland hunting license for the first time, state law requires a Certificate of Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety (or proof of a license held before July 1, 1977). Maryland accepts hunter education certificates from all other U.S. states.
License. The DNR notice says firearm hunters need a valid hunting license or must be exempt from the requirement. Sika deer hunters also need a sika stamp.
Deer species. The notice covers white-tailed deer and sika deer.
Blaze orange. During firearms season, hunters and companions must wear daylight fluorescent orange or pink. Options include a solid cap, a vest or jacket with at least 250 square inches on both the front and back, or camouflage above the waist that is at least 50 percent fluorescent.
Antler points. A hunter may take one antlered white-tailed deer within the bag limit that does not have at least three points on one antler. Hunters 16 and under are exempt from this rule.
Regions. The DNR notice (December 2025) says the winter firearms season resumed January 9, 2026 in Deer Management Region B, which is all of the state except the westernmost counties. Check DNR for current dates.

Choosing a hunting rifle

Rules on which rifles and cartridges are legal for deer can differ by area and change from year to year. Before you buy a rifle for deer, check the current Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping, ask the DNR or ask your dealer.

Some general points that are not legal claims:

Pick a caliber you can shoot well. Accuracy matters more than power on paper.
Buy ammunition that matches the rifle and practise with it before the season.
A bolt action rifle is simple and a common first choice.

FAQ

Can I have a gun shipped to my house in Maryland?

Usually not. Online sellers normally send guns to a licensed dealer, and the buyer completes Form 4473 and the background check there. Confirm the process with your dealer.

How old do I have to be?

Federal rules say 18 for a rifle or shotgun and 21 for a handgun when buying from a licensed dealer (27 CFR 478.99(b)). Maryland may add its own rules. Check with the state attorney general, state police or your dealer.

Do I need hunter education to hunt deer?

To buy a Maryland hunting license for the first time, you need a Certificate of Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety. Certificates from other states are accepted. Check DNR for exceptions.

Official links

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change. Check with the Maryland State Police, the Attorney General or your dealer before you buy.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.