Why HB1287 Should Worry Maryland Gun Owners

There is a firearm-related bill making some waves in Maryland right now: Maryland House Bill 1287 (HB1287). We decided to jot down our thoughts on this bill and write a quick blog post, as one of our biggest goals in starting this venture is to preserve Second Amendment rights in Maryland. An important note here: we are not lawyers, and we do not intend for any of this information to be considered legal advice. This is solely an opinion piece.

What is the bill about?

HB1287 aims to prohibit the manufacture, sale, purchase, or transfer of certain semiautomatic pistols that can be easily converted into machine guns by attaching a device like a switch or auto-sear.

Who does it affect?
Manufacturers and dealers doing business in Maryland are largely affected. This bill would prevent manufacturers currently operating in the state from continuing that business, while also blocking new business opportunities from opening up.

Dealers are hit hard by this too. FFLs in Maryland already face constant roadblocks in their day-to-day. Take the Maryland Handgun Roster, for example, Maryland already prevents the sale of many common handgun models. Adding even more restrictions (with jail time attached) feels like a slap in the face. It strips away business and cuts into their bottom line.

Beyond that, new and existing gun owners in Maryland are forced to compromise on handgun choices and, ultimately, their safety. It’s just one more step in restricting the ability of Marylanders to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

Why does it matter?

The bill’s stated and assumed goals center around preventing the conversion of semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic firearms, reducing the use of these modified weapons in crimes, and, in theory, improving public safety. However, we feel these goals are not going to be achieved with legislation like this.

As cliché as it sounds, this bill is a “slippery slope.” Let’s be blunt: many civilian firearms are just an auto-sear away from functioning like a “military grade” weapon. Sincerely ask yourself: does the passing of this bill not open the door for a ban on AR-15 platforms in Maryland? Or on firearms at large?

It feels like a targeted move against gun owners and the Second Amendment. And honestly, it looks like a band-aid solution to deeper issues facing Marylanders. Murder is already illegal. Fully automatic firearms made after 1986 are already illegal. So why not go after the source of the problem, illegal auto-sears and Glock switches? That’s not good enough for some lawmakers. Instead, they go after the firearms.

Furthermore, the soft-on-crime approach taken by Maryland is exacerbating the rate of violent crime, from eliminating some mandatory minimums to expanding parole eligibility. As a result, the policing system has less teeth and cannot perform well in its role of protecting Maryland citizens. That is likely a major contributing factor in the rise of violent crimes. For instance, the rate of vehicle theft is rising substantially.

For more detailed information, you can view the full bill text here: Maryland HB1287 Bill Text.

We recommend checking out the bill tracker on MSI's site for a detailed, in-depth breakdown of the bill: 2025 Maryland Gun Bill Tracker - Maryland Shall Issue®, Inc.