The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Senate Bill 27 Exempts Law Enforcement and Handgun Permit Holders from Seven-Day Firearm Waiting Period
Last action · January 14, 2026: First Reading Judicial ProceedingsSponsors: Bill Folden and 1 other
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Maryland Senate Bill 27 exempts law enforcement officers, retired officers in good standing, and handgun permit holders from the mandatory seven-day waiting period for purchasing, renting, or receiving a , effective October 1, 2026.
Qualifying buyers can acquire s immediately without waiting seven days for application processing by the state.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
law enforcement officer
Law enforcement officers can purchase, rent, or receive regulated firearms without observing the mandatory seven-day waiting period.
individual to whom a permit to wear, carry, or transport a handgun has been issued
Handgun permit holders are exempt from the seven-day waiting period for regulated firearm transactions.
Key Facts
- Law enforcement officers, retired officers in good standing, and individuals with a valid handgun wear, carry, or transport permit are exempt from the seven-day waiting period when purchasing, renting, or receiving a regulated firearm.
- The exemption applies to both dealer sales through a licensee under Section 5-123 and private or secondary transfers under Section 5-124.
- Sales, rentals, or transfers must still be completed within 90 days after the firearm application is stamped as not being disapproved by the Secretary.
- The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is exempt from the seven-day waiting period under Senate Bill 27?
Does this bill change the 90-day completion window for firearm purchases?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
- Jan 13, 2026SenateHearing 1/27 at 1:00 p.m.
- Oct 28, 2025SenateIntroducedPre-filed
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools