Updated with Video: Applying for your MD HQL.

In this video we take you step by step through applying for your Handgun Qualification License (HQL) in the state of Maryland. An HQL is needed to purchase a handgun in the State of Maryland (some exceptions apply). This is based on the most recent application process as of November 23, 2021.

The HQL is required in order to purchase a handgun in Maryland. Applying for your Maryland HQL (Handgun Qualification License, needed to buy a handgun) can be confusing. With this article, I am going to break down the application process step by step. If you haven't already acquired the required training, you can click here to register. If you need the required live-scan fingerprints (yes, you will need a new set), you can click here to register. If you got them down for HQL but waited more than 1 year to apply for the HQL, they are now expired and you must have them redone.

To apply for your HQL, you must start by going to the Maryland Department of State Police Online Services Login Page. If you don't have an account yet- create one and then login in.

You will come to this initial page ( see below). Click on Initial Application.

It will take you to the page below. Then you will have to click the appropriate boxes.

If you have taken a PTPGun.com HQL training course, your page should match ours below. Program: Firearm Services

License Type: HQL Standard

Application Method: Application

Then hit Start Application.

Then it will come up to this page (see below). Scroll down thru it.

Click HERE (See below)

Fill out this page. Read it thoroughly. No, do not put my information (seen below) in your form. Yes, there will still be someone that does.

On your fingerprint receipt you received upon completion of your live-scan, there was a TCN or PCN number- put that in the PCN/TCN box towards the bottom of the page (See below). DO NOT put your tracking number (just above it). DO NOT put your SSN. DO NOT put my phone number. Put your PCN/TCN number in the PCN/TCN number box. Also make sure you use the correct fingerprint (sometimes people get two fingerprints, one for HQL and one for MD Carry/CCW but use the MD Carry/CCW one to apply for HQL). Make sure you use the one that states "HQL" in the top right hand corner, as seen below. These things have to be done this specific way or they will not work- ask me how I know.

Once you complete this page, hit the Update button at the bottom center of your screen.

When you get to the "Associate QHIL/QHIC" page, you will click add.

For Relationship Type: Choose Instructor Prereq

For Profession: Choose Firearms Services

For license type: Choose Qualified Handgun Instructor Certificate

For license number: put the one given to you on your certificate (we email them out after class and they come from admin@ptpguntraining.com (Check your spam folder if you haven't seen it).

Click on your instructors name when it pops up.

Then hit Complete (see below).

On the following page, you will have a bunch of questions to answer. Read them thoroughly and answer truthfully.

Regarding the mental health question, click HERE

Yellow Star: We talked about this in class. If you have surrendered your MM card back to the state, you can accurately answer this question as No.

When done with this part, hit "Submit"

On the Document Upload page, do NOTHING except hit the Next button. On the following page (see below) you can skip by hitting next. You WILL NOT NEED to upload any training documentation. You WILL NOT NEED to upload a passport style photo. You WILL NOT need to upload ANYTHING. Just hit next.

Repeat after me: "On the Upload page, I will do NOTHING except hit the Next button."

The following page (see below) is just a summary of all the information you provided in your application. Review and hit "Pay Fees". Yes, you are a Maryland resident, they are the same ones that charged your a tax if it rained- of course they are going to make you pay a fine to exercise a right. Freedom isn't free is the land of tyranny.

Hit Pay Fees

Put all your billing and credit/debit card info in and hit Submit Payment. Then, Wait. And wait. And wait some more. Currently (November 23, 2021) applicants are waiting approximately 2-4 weeks before they receive their HQL in the mail.

When you do this page will pop up. Wait a few seconds and then...

Put all your billing and credit/debit card info in and hit Submit Payment. Then, Wait. And wait. And wait some more. Currently (April 5 2021) applicants are waiting approximately 1 week before they receive their HQL in the mail.

It isn't uncommon for you to receive an email or phone call from the state police stating "Everything is good on our end, just waiting for you instructor to verify your training." This is standard and an automated email. No need for concern or to let us know.

When you apply, it will show up on our end requesting our approval. We check that 3 times a day, 6 days a week. As soon as we see it, it will be taken care of.

What you will not see on your end is what we see. We get a list of pending applications that indicated that our instructor conducted an applicant's required training, and the "Approve?" box is so we can tell them that Yes we did or No this is a fraudulent application.

Sometimes their database really slacks off and they aren't able to confirm your training. In such case they will ask you to send over a copy of your certificate (we emailed it to you from admin@ptpguntraining.com ). Just forward them that certificate.

Sometimes applicants mistakenly think that they submitted their application, but they didn't. In such case, you will see this (See below) on your portal home page. In such case, click continue and finish following all the directions laid out in this blog article.

Also, the Maryland State Police are going thru some growing pains/change of leadership/new personnel so you may be told "You were fingerprinted for Wear and Carry but are applying for HQL. You must get re-fingerprinted for the HQL using the agency authorization number listed below...". If that happens, take these steps in this order:

1. Double check to make sure you did indeed give them the correct fingerprint information

2. Let us know (if you did the fingerprints with us) and we will double check to ensure everything was inputted correctly (99% of the time it is correct)

3. Call HQL Licensing at 410-653-4577 to let them know that everything is in the CJIS system correctly and your application needs further review.

Another common problem with the Maryland State Police, at times their system will also fail to communicate to them training verifications. In such a circumstance, they will email you stating "A review of your HQL application revealed your instructor has not signed off on your mandatory four hour training course. As a result, your application has been administratively denied. Please contact your instructor and advise them to sign off on your required training."

Do not worry- we did sign off on your training, we do so three times a week and clear out our log. Their system has lots of frustrating flaws but the easiest way to do with this is to simply send them a copy of your certificate that we emailed you after your successful completion of our course.

Below, you will see an example of what an HQL is. Simply put, it is a digital letter that is emailed to you by the Maryland State Police Licensing Division. You are strongly encouraged to print off multiple copies (put them in each of you vehicles, wallet/purse), email a copy to your dealer(s), have electronic access (saved on your cell phone rather than needing signal to access your email, ect).

We greatly appreciate your continued support and it would mean so much to us if you were to leave us a review to let others know how much you loved our class.

Want to apply for your D.C. Concealed Carry? Click HERE to read all about it

Original Source: https://www.ptpgun.com/post/updated-with-video-applying-for-your-md-hql

Maryland Hunter Safety Education Course

Original Source: https://www.ptpgun.com/post/maryland-hunter-safety-education-course

Once again the State of Maryland has crapped the bed! As of today, there are no available spots for any students to complete the Maryland Hunter Safety Education Course until Spring 2022.

What the Law Says:

According to Maryland Code, Natural Resources §10–301.1, any Maryland Resident that wants to hunt the state shall:

(a) (1)

(i) On or after July 1, 1977 a person under 18 years of age may not procure a hunting license or hunt in the State, unless the person has first been issued a certificate of competency in firearms and hunter safety.

(ii) On or after July 1, 1977 a person, regardless of age, may not procure a hunting license without producing a certificate of competency or a hunting license issued before July 1, 1977 or making out an affidavit that the person hunted before July 1, 1977.

All of this can be found here:

Where the System Failed the Residents:

In Maryland, you are required to attend a course of instruction followed by a field day.

Since COVID-19 popped off, the System has FAILED the residents of Maryland by not making available enough field days to qualify the students.

Other states, like those listed in the video, have waived the field day requirement.

The Solution:

In the video above, you will see that a solution exists to get a hunter-ed card in a different state that doesn't require a field day. According to Maryland DNR:

(3) Any similar certificate, or hunting license, issued outside the State by a governmental agency, shall be accepted as complying with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, if the privileges are reciprocal for Maryland residents. From the DNR Website:

Maryland accepts hunter education certifications from all other U.S. States. If you possess a hunter education certificate/card from another state, it will be accepted in Maryland as proof of meeting our hunter education requirement and completion of a Maryland hunter education course would not be required.

Your Next Steps:

Your next steps for your up-and-coming hunters should start here by clicking this link!

Finish that, then head down to your favorite sporting goods shop and get your license!

We hope this helped you!

If this helped you, please share with a friend! You never know who may need to see this!

Please reach out to us if you have any ideas for future topics!

If you don't have self-defense insurance you should! We HIGHLY recommend US Law Shield. Use code PTPGUN for some savings over at https://www.uslawshield.com/

Like US Law Shield, we only recommend brands that we fully support and use in our lives. Plates: https://safelifedefense.com/ref/PTPGUN/

Ear-Pro: https://bit.ly/3kR2mS2

Support our LGS: Gun Monkey's Armory at https://www.gmarmory.com/

As always,

Learn. Defend. PREVAIL!

 

Firearms Training Industry and Changes over the Year (Video)

Original Source:https://www.ptpgun.com/post/firearms-training-industry-and-changes-over-the-year-video

In this week's episode of the PTP Podcast, Mike sits down with founder Ryan Gass to discuss business as well as how he started his travel training program and taking care of our training hosts.

Have questions about training? Give Mike a call or text at 240-925-5788

Get smarter, and qualified, to carry a weapon in the State of Maryland, DC, VA and many more States by taking our Multi-State Training here: https://www.ptpgun.com/product-page/multi-state-concealed

If you don't have self-defense insurance you should! We HIGHLY recommend US Law Shield https://www.uslawshield.com/?affid=23fb3953-aab1-11e7-9717-02a900ca3473&fbclid=IwAR344ZsKulLclu_DrYy3Cv1CN92gHd7Xk2cfIpC9wBKEerKUVUayb56Yy50

Like U.S. LawShield, we only recommend brands that we fully support and use in our lives. Plates: https://safelifedefense.com/ref/PTPGUN/

Ear-Pro: https://bit.ly/3kR2mS2

Support our LGS: Gun Monkey's Armory at https://www.gmarmory.com/

As always, Train. Defend. PREVAIL!

Stop the Bleed training

Original Source: https://www.ptpgun.com/post/stop-the-bleed-training

We ready? No? Yeah? Go!

Oh My Gosh! It’s bleeding so bad. Oh! It’s so bad…it’s so bad… it’s so bad…get up there! Get up there! Get up there!

Right! We want it nice and high. We’re going to cinch it down. We’re going to get one good twist. We’re going to lock those windless in place. That’s 15 seconds down…and…good! 20 seconds…keep working through it. Nice! Good! Keep working through it…that’s 30 seconds…keep working, if you have not already done so. Yeah! That’s good. All right, all right, 40 seconds in…it’s good…working good…there we go! Good! You can take it off, please.

All right, that’s one minute. Just finish up the one you’re on.

So, you see now what we talked about with stress inoculation. All I did was put you under a clock. The only person you were competing against was you! That’s kind of a stunning individual, and I want to impress him!

S&W .40S&W VE, Field Strip Friday

Original Source: https://www.ptpgun.com/post/s-w-40s-w-ve-field-strip-friday

Ryan Gass here, PTPGun.com, and today, we’re going to show you how to field strip this Smith & Wesson S&W 40VE.

Now, before you field strip any firearm, you want to double-check and make sure the firearm is unloaded. So, we’re going to go ahead, pick the firearm up, or hit the magazine release on the left side by the trigger guard here, take that magazine out, set it to the side, double-check the chamber, make sure it’s good to go, and we are clear and ready to proceed.

To proceed into the field strip, we’re going to pull that slide back, and we’re going to let go. We’re going to go ahead, and we’re going to pull the trigger. Now, from here, we’re going to grab hold of the firearm with our thumb at the tang of the grip, and we’re going to wrap our fingers up over the slide and squeeze just a little bit to bring that slide back, just a little bit. Now, with it back like that, we’re going to take our thumb on one side, our middle finger on the other, we’re going to grab on this takedown lever. It’s spring-loaded, and it’s held in the up position. We’re going to have to grab it from both sides. We’re going to pull it down. We’re going to hold it down, and while it’s being held down, we’re going to release that slide, and the slide’s going to come off. Now, from here, we’re done with the frame, and it comes with a field strip. So, we set the frame to the side.

The slide assembly. We’re going to go ahead upside down. We have our spring and spring guide. We’re going to compress that just a little bit. Let me set it to the side. We’re gonna push up with our finger. We’re gonna get that barrel up and out of there. Set that to the side, and then we have our slide. So now, we have our slide, our barrel, our spring and spring guide, and our frame. From here, you can do any type of cleaning or maintenance you might need to do to the firearm.

Now, let’s go ahead and proceed back into reassembly, and it’s going to be the same thing you did to disassemble for the field strip, and it’s going to be the same thing but in reverse. So, we’re going to take our slide upside down. We’re gonna drop our barrel in, muzzle first. It’s gonna set into its place, the barrel is gonna stick out the muzzle about a millimeter, so that’s perfectly normal. We’re gonna take our spring and spring guide, and we’re gonna drop that in. You have a flat end, and you have a kind of small, more pointed end. We’re going to drop the more pointed end into the front of the frame, near the muzzle. We’re going to compress that spring just a little bit, it’s getting caught in the lug of that barrel. Now, we’re going to re-set that upside down, right side up, we’re gonna take the frame the rail here. We’re gonna insert that rail into the cutout of the bottom of the slide here. We’re gonna take that, we’re gonna insert that in, we’re gonna keep it matched up, we’re gonna pull it all the way back, and we’re gonna let go.

Now, you’ll notice when I did that actually, it’s kind of good that it happened this way. Sometimes, it’ll happen like this way where you don’t put the gun back together exactly properly. You’ll see how this spring guide is kind of sticking out a little bit. All I’m going to do to fix that is I’m going to kind of manipulate a little bit, I pushed a little bit against it, and it realigned itself.

Now, we want to go ahead and do a function check on this firearm to make sure that it’s still put together properly. So, we’re gonna pull that slide back and let go. We’re gonna go ahead and pull the trigger. We’re gonna pull that slide back, let go, pull the trigger. We’re gonna pull the slide back, pull the trigger, and hold the trigger to the rear. While holding it to the rear, we’re gonna go ahead and pull the slide back and let go, and then we want to let go of the trigger slowly until you hear and or feel that click. Once you hear that click, the trigger has been reset. You can now apply pressure to the rear again, it’ll go off. Again, we’re going to go ahead and hold it to the rear, pull the slide back, let go and release that trigger. Now, we’re going to go ahead and just double-check to make sure that the firearm operates with the magazine as well.

Again, we’re going to pull back, let go, pull that trigger, and now we have field stripped and reassembled our Smith & Wesson S&W 40VE.

If you have any particular firearm you would like to see us field strip, be sure to click on the comments below and let us know what you would like to see done. We may have already done it, or we may not. If we haven’t, we will make sure to make that video for you.

Thank you all again!

Stay safe and remember to Train. Defend. Prevail.

 

Glock 43, Field Strip Friday

Original Source: https://www.ptpgun.com/post/glock-43-field-strip-friday

I’m Ryan Gass here, PTPGun.com, and today, I’m going to show you the field stripping of this Glock 43. Before we field strip any firearm, we want to double-check to make sure the firearm is unloaded. So, we’re gonna go ahead, drop the magazine, set it to the side, double-check the chamber, and make sure it’s clear, and we are good to proceed. Now, let’s move into the field strip.

We’re going to pull that slide back, and we’re going to let go. Next, we’re going to take our thumb and have it under the tang of the grip, we’re going to rip our fingers around the top, squeeze down a little bit, and bring that slide back. While the slide is back to the rear like that, we’re going to take our thumb and our middle finger, and we’re going to grab on this take-down lever. It’s the same on both sides. We’re going to take our thumb and our middle finger- and we’re going to pull down that piece, we’re going to hold it down, and we’re going to release the slide forward.

Now, we set the frame to the side, and we’re gonna deal with our slide. We’re gonna take our spring and spring guide, we’re gonna compress it just a little bit, we’re gonna pull it up and out of the firearm. We’re gonna take our barrel, press it up, pull it up and out of the firearm, and then we have our slide itself. So now, we have our slide, our barrel, our spring and spring guide, and our frame. From here, the firearm is now field stripped, and you can do any type of cleaning or maintenance you might need to do to the firearm.

Now, let’s move back into reassembling the parts to the firearm. We’re gonna start with the slide, and we’re gonna drop the barrel in, muzzle first, set it into its place. You’ll notice that the barrel sticks out about a millimeter or two. That’s perfectly normal. We’re going to take our spring and spring guide. You’ll notice that there’s kind of a longer, fatter end, and there’s a shorter skinnier end. We’re going to take the longer, fatter end and insert it into the slide, near the muzzle, and we’re going to compress that spring on the rear, so that it’s going to get caught in the bottom lugs of that barrel. From here, we’re going to go ahead and put this slide right side up. We’re going to go ahead and take and insert the rails on the middle, almost middle, to the front half of this slide right here. We’re going to take those rails and insert them into cutouts, here on the rear bottom portion of the slide. We’re going to insert it, we’re going to keep it matched up as we pull it to the rear, and let go.

then let go of the trigger. Now, with this, we have field stripped and reassembled our Glock 43.

subscribe to our YouTube channel here PTPGun.com, and hit the notifications bell as we’ll be posting more field stripping videos each and every Friday. If there’re particular firearms you’d like to see field stripped on our channel, be sure to hit us in the comments below. Let us know what handgun you have, and you would love to see us field strip, and we’ll do it for you.

Thank you all again!

Remember to stay safe and, as always, Train. Defend. Prevail.n field