2166

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 781

(2)          "RIFLE" MEANS A WEAPON DESIGNED OR
REDESIGNED, MADE OR REMADE, AND INTENDED TO BE FIRED FROM
THE SHOULDER AND DESIGNED OR REDESIGNED AND MADE OR
REMADE TO USE THE ENERGY OF THE EXPLOSIVE IN A FIXED
METALLIC CARTRIDGE TO FIRE ONLY A SINGLE PROJECTILE
THROUGH A RIFLED BORE FOR EACH SINGLE PULL OF THE
TRIGGER.

(3)          "SHORT-BARRELED SHOTGUN" MEANS A SHOTGUN
HAVING ONE OR MORE BARRELS LESS THAN 18 INCHES IN LENGTH
AND ANY WEAPON MADE FROM A SHOTGUN (WHETHER BY
ALTERATION, MODIFICATION, OR OTHERWISE) IF SUCH WEAPON AS
MODIFIED HAS AN OVERALL LENGTH OF LESS THAN 26 INCHES.

(4)          "SHORT-BARRELED RIFLE" MEANS A RIFLE
HAVING ONE OR MORE BARRELS LESS THAN 16 INCHES IN LENGTH
AND ANY WEAPON MADE FROM A RIFLE (WHETHER BY ALTERATION,
MODIFICATION, OR OTHERWISE) IF SUCH WEAPON, AS MODIFIED,
HAS AN OVERALL LENGTH OF LESS THAN 26 INCHES.

(5)          "SHOTGUN" MEANS A WEAPON DESIGNED OR
REDESIGNED, MADE OR REMADE, AND INTENDED TO BE FIRED FROM
THE SHOULDER AND DESIGNED OR REDESIGNED AND MADE OR
REMADE TO USE THE ENERGY OF THE EXPLOSIVE IN A FIXED
SHOTGUN SHELL TO FIRE THROUGH A SMOOTH BORE EITHER A
NUMBER OF BALL SHOT OR A SINGLE PROJECTILE FOR EACH
SINGLE PULL OF THE TRIGGER.

(6)          THE TERMS SHORT-BARRELED SHOTGUN AND

SHORT-BARRELED RIFLE DO NOT INCLUDE:

(I)          ANTIQUE FIREARMS AS DEFINED IN

SECTION 36F(A)(1) OF THIS ARTICLE;

(II)       ANY DEVICE WHICH IS NEITHER
DESIGNED NOR REDESIGNED FOR USE AS A WEAPON, WHICH IS

REDESIGNED FOR USE AS A SIGNALING, PYROTECHNIC, LINE

THROWING, SAFETY, OR SIMILAR DEVICE; OR

(III)       ANY FIREARM WHICH IS INCAPABLE OF
DISCHARGING A SHOT BY MEANS OF AN EXPLOSIVE AND INCAPABLE
OF BEING READILY RESTORED TO A FIRING CONDITION.

(B)          A PERSON MAY NOT POSSESS A SHORT-BARRELED
RIFLE OR          SHORT-BARRELED          SHOTGUN          UNLESS          THE
[[SHORT-BARRELED RIFLE OR SHORT-BARRELED SHOTGUN        IS
REGISTERED]] PERSON HAS REGISTERED IT WITH THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNITED STATES
STATUTES.

(C)          ANY PERSON VIOLATING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON CONVICTION IS
SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $5,000 OR IMPRISONMENT
NOT EXCEEDING FIVE YEARS, OR BOTH.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall be construed only prospectively and may not be