HB 577 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Law - Firearm Crimes - Machine Gun Convertible Pistols

HB 577 prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, or transfer of "machine gun convertible pistols" in Maryland after a specified date. These are defined as semiautomatic pistols with a special trigger mechanism that can be easily converted to automatic fire using common tools or a "pistol converter" device. The bill creates new criminal penalties for violating this ban, with key exceptions allowing law enforcement use, licensed dealer transactions for specific purposes, and inheritance by qualified individuals. It does not affect standard semiautomatic firearms or restrict existing lawfully owned weapons.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Apr 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Criminal Law - Firearm Crimes - Machine Gun Convertible Pistols → Third - Criminal Law - Firearm Crimes - Machine Gun Convertible Pistols · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was advanced to a third reading with a favorable committee report and adopted, moving it closer to becoming law. The text was reformatted to include new definitions for 'common household tools' and 'copycat weapons,' while the core definitions for machine gun convertible pistols and rapid fire activators remained largely unchanged but were reorganized.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding prohibited items remains the same, but the definitions were expanded to explicitly list common household tools and clarify what constitutes a copycat weapon.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'common household tool' listing items like screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers that can be used to convert a pistol.

Added a new definition for 'copycat weapon' to include specific types of rifles and shotguns, while explicitly excluding assault long guns and assault pistols from this definition.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill's structure by adding a chapter number and moving the bill title and explanation notes to different locations.

Removed the initial header lines indicating the bill was being read for the first time, as the bill has now been read a second time and adopted.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 21, 2026

How they voted

93–39

Passed · 10 other

Total votes 142

Mar 21, 2026

D Democratic103

93 Yea 3 Nay 7

90% Yea

R Republican39

36 Nay 3

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Judicial Proceedings

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until Next Session (Delegate Pippy) Adopted

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 21, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (93-39-10)

house of delegates

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judiciary

lower

14 primary · 0 co-sponsors