Question about the HBAR AR-15 and Maryland law

[American By Blood]

Here in MD just about all semi-auto military rifles are classified as "regulated firearms." As with pistols, buying an AR would require me to go through the whole waiting period/State Police background check/extra fees ordeal. It's all rather insulting to a free man, really.

But there's an exception made in our legislation for "HBAR" ARs. Like bolt guns and pumps, heavy barrel ARs are cash and carry NICS rifles. Interesting, eh?

So my question is this: what makes an AR "HBAR"? Do lowers sold with heavy barrel uppers lack the interchangeability that so adds to the AR's appeal or are my state legislators really that dumb?

 

[AK-74me]

Are you familar with this site http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite ......... I think it will answer alot of your questions and I think you'll be surprised at what you'll find.

 

[American By Blood]

Forgive me, I'm an AR noob.

Are all Bushmasters HBAR (that site indicated that HBAR Bushmasters are not "regulated")? If not, which models are?

Anyone else know anything about the MD HBAR AR situation?

 

[AK-74me]

look here

http://www.associatedgunclubs.org/A...pdf#search=""Code of the City of Hagerstown""

I also would advise you join www.ar15.com and browse the ar discussion area and Maryland hometown forum.

Here is the down and dirty.

-In MD you can have 30 rd. mags but you can not buy them from within MD. 20 rd. mags are good to go.

-"Assualt Pistols" are a no go.

-Pencil barrels and M4 profile barrels are fine.

-Barrells must be atleast 16"

-An AR lower that fits and HBAR should fit a different upper that say has a m4 profile or whatever for that matter.

That is all I got for now, if anyone finds anything wrong with any of this please point it out but this is the way I understand these issues.

 

[Spot77]

ABB,

I bought my Bushmaster HBAR about three years ago.....and you're right, they are NOT subject to the normal waiting period. All you have to do is pass the NICS and out the door you go.

The lower is no different than any other AR. The upper is no different except that it comes with a heavy 20" (or 24" if you prefer) barrel.

So it's prefectly fine to buy an HBAR, purchase a different upper at the same time, swap them out and be off to the range. Although I'd suspect that the ATF could probably chase you down with "Conspiracy to violate federal gun laws - waiting period" or some other nonsense.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Although I'd suspect that the ATF could probably chase you down with "Conspiracy to violate federal gun laws - waiting period" or some other nonsense.

Not a federal gun law; but a state gun law. So even ATF probably doesn't care about this.

 

[jrhines]

Xfer HBARs in MD...

You bet! It just has to have "HBAR" engraved on the gun and you are good to go. I am an FFL and had this discussion with the MDSP, with no difinitive answer. So I have taken the stand that if the gun says "HBAR" on it it is a "HBAR". If it has a 20" heavy match barrel or any other combination of chee-chees but does not say "HBAR" then it is a regulated weapon under MD law and you have a 7 day wait. I hate to be a PITA about it but I tell all my clients that I'll do any lawful thing I can to get a gun in their hands, but I won't do time. YMMV

 

[Harry Tuttle]

so since an H-BAR is not a regulated firearm, an 18 year old can buy one?