Section 5-203 - Possession of short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-203. Possession of short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun.
 

(a)  Prohibited.- A person may not possess a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun unless: 

(1) the person, while on official business is: 

(i) a member of the law enforcement personnel of the federal government, the State, or a political subdivision of the State; 

(ii) a member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard while on duty or traveling to or from duty; 

(iii) a member of the law enforcement personnel of another state or a political subdivision of another state, while temporarily in this State; 

(iv) a warden or correctional officer of a correctional facility in the State; or 

(v) a sheriff or a temporary or full-time deputy sheriff; or 

(2) the short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle has been registered with the federal government in accordance with federal law. 

(b)  Burden of proof.- In a prosecution under this section, the defendant has the burden of proving the lawful registration of the short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle. 

(c)  Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 481(b)-(d); 2003, ch. 5, § 2; ch. 17.]