LEONARDTOWN — St. Mary’s County detectives served a search and seizure warrant at a residence in Lexington Park on May 27 and recovered a loaded, unserialized Polymer 80 9mm handgun along with 10 rounds of live 9mm ammunition.
A 17-year-old was taken into custody at the scene and charged as an adult with three offenses: possession of a regulated firearm by a person under 21 years of age, illegal possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm without the required serial number.
The juvenile is not being publicly identified due to legal protections for minors.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division executed the warrant at the home in the 21000 block of Columbia Street. No other details about the investigation or additional evidence were released.
Under Maryland law, individuals under age 21 are prohibited from possessing regulated firearms. Unserialized firearms, often referred to as “ghost guns,” are also restricted. Maryland law, effective since June 1, 2022, requires that privately made firearms and unfinished frames or receivers be marked with a personal identification number assigned by the Maryland State Police or a federally licensed dealer. Possession of an unserialized firearm without such marking is illegal.
Polymer 80-style pistols are unfinished frames or “80 percent lowers” that can be completed into functional handguns. They have been the focus of state and federal efforts to curb untraceable firearms. Violations carry significant penalties, and juveniles charged with serious firearms offenses in Maryland can be tried as adults under certain circumstances.
The charges filed against the 17-year-old are allegations. He has not been convicted.
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office officials have not released further information about the case or any ongoing investigation. The agency regularly conducts proactive operations targeting illegal firearms in the county, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Lexington Park.
For firearms, all adults 21 and older must comply with state handgun laws, including background checks for purchases.
