The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland grants civil liability immunity to licensed firearms dealers returning held weapons under private agreements
Last action · February 12, 2026: Hearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.Sponsor: Justin Ready
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
s are shielded from civil lawsuits for personal injury or death occurring after they return a firearm to its owner under a private hold agreement, beginning October 1, 2026. This immunity does not apply if the injury or death results from unlawful conduct by the dealer. The rule excludes firearm transfers governed by specific criminal procedure provisions.
Licensed gun dealers entering into private storage arrangements gain legal protection from following the return of firearms, with exceptions for unlawful dealer conduct.
- Senate Bill 899 was introduced in the Maryland Senate during the 2026 regular session and assigned to the Judicial Proceedings Committee. context
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.
Federally licensed firearms dealers
Licensed dealers receive civil liability protection when returning firearms to owners under private hold agreements, provided no unlawful conduct occurs.
Firearm owners
Firearm owners entering into private hold agreements are subject to new statutory definitions governing temporary firearm storage with licensed dealers.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a firearm hold agreement under this bill?
Are there any exceptions to the liability protection for dealers?
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
2 actions- Feb 12, 2026SenateHearing 2/24 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
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
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Creation of Civil Liability Shield for Private Firearm Storage
The bill creates a specific legal exemption from civil lawsuits for firearms dealers participating in temporary private weapon holding agreements.
Connected Entities
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
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools