I already know that I can't carry in MD. My question is are there any strange handgun laws in MD that would make possession of a handgun a problem? I would have locked in vehicle, unloaded while in MD and then store at my final destination (in MD) for the duration of my visit. This trip is unavoidable so if all you are going to say is "don't go there", please refrain from doing so.
Visiting Maryland handgun question
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kingpin008
Member
As long as you're going directly to your final destination in-state, you're good to go. If you decide to transport it while in state, you need to have it unloaded, in a case, and be heading directly to a range, gunshop/gunsmith, or "organized shooting event or exhibition".
In short, you'll be fine. If you do get pulled over for some reason, explain your situation and it shouldn't result in more than a warning. Maryland cops are pushovers compared to places like Illinois & NYC.
Where in MD are you headed to?
In short, you'll be fine. If you do get pulled over for some reason, explain your situation and it shouldn't result in more than a warning. Maryland cops are pushovers compared to places like Illinois & NYC.
Where in MD are you headed to?
swinokur
Member
If you are stopped and the police ask you if you have weapons, be truthful but DO NOT consent to a search. You don't have to consent, so don't.
As previously posted there are only a few exceptions to MD laws for transporting in MD while you are here. Other than those exceptions do not have a weapon in your car, even if locked in the trunk.
Be safe.
As previously posted there are only a few exceptions to MD laws for transporting in MD while you are here. Other than those exceptions do not have a weapon in your car, even if locked in the trunk.
Be safe.
Carl N. Brown
Member
The difference between transporting a gun as property and carrying a gun as a weapon ought to be clarified. I have been told a good idea is to get a letter from the state attorney generals office. Lawyers or outfits like Tennessee Firearms Association can get AG opinion letters pretty easy, but I have not tried as John Q. Citizen, but with MD's rep it might be worth a try.
A guy in NJ got 7 years for transporting his guns from his mom's home to his home (not carrying as a weapon but moving property). There ought to be a movement to clarify the distinction. The NJ law had defenses or exemptions that the guy was apparently complying with, but the judge refused to read them to the jury. Laws that do not make a clear distinction between transporting a gun and carrying a weapon are often crafted by politicians opposed to private ownership period (IL, NJ, MA etc); they are traps for the unwary.
A guy in NJ got 7 years for transporting his guns from his mom's home to his home (not carrying as a weapon but moving property). There ought to be a movement to clarify the distinction. The NJ law had defenses or exemptions that the guy was apparently complying with, but the judge refused to read them to the jury. Laws that do not make a clear distinction between transporting a gun and carrying a weapon are often crafted by politicians opposed to private ownership period (IL, NJ, MA etc); they are traps for the unwary.
Bubbles
Member
Just an FYI, but loaded magazines = loaded gun in MD, even if the magazine is stored separately from the gun.
swinokur
Member
Loaded magazines are NOT considered loaded weapons in MD. AG opinion in the following thread last post from me on page 1:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=543640
One of the issues in the NJ case was the fellow admitted that during his moving activities over several weeks the weapons were left in his car. That violates NJ and MD law. FOPA will not protect you if you leave them in your vehicle after you reach your destination.
As long as the weapons are removed from your trunk after you reach MD you are legal. The exceptions are in MD Criminal code 4-203 if you want to read
The MD AG will NOT issue an opinion to individuals unless you are a state legislator.
No mags over 20 rounds. Hollowpoints OK as well.
IANAL
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=543640
One of the issues in the NJ case was the fellow admitted that during his moving activities over several weeks the weapons were left in his car. That violates NJ and MD law. FOPA will not protect you if you leave them in your vehicle after you reach your destination.
As long as the weapons are removed from your trunk after you reach MD you are legal. The exceptions are in MD Criminal code 4-203 if you want to read
The MD AG will NOT issue an opinion to individuals unless you are a state legislator.
No mags over 20 rounds. Hollowpoints OK as well.
IANAL
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Thanks guys, Hagerstown, MD so I would only be transporting for about 10 miles or so in the "dangerzone". Too bad, I would rather come up I68 and go through Cumberland and Hancock just because the drive is so nice but it just isn't worth the risk in my opinion. I'm not real keen on traveling from TX to MD with my family without my pistol.
And yes I will check the laws myself, I just wanted some fair warning, understanding.
And yes I will check the laws myself, I just wanted some fair warning, understanding.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
You're going to drive 1,500 miles and you're worried about being hassled for legally transporting a firearm in the last 80?
I lived in MD for 12 years, off-and-on. (Still work every day near Thurmont -- about 20 miles from Hagerstown.) The laws suck, but the chances you're going to be dragged from your car, searched, and then hassled for a firearm that is being transported in accordance to the laws of the state are really, really low. (Especially out in the "sane" parts of the state, like western MD.)
Drive the speed limit and act "normal" and you'll be just fine.
swinokur
Member
I'm betting the poor schmuck in NJ didn't think he'd be in trouble either. He's now in jail.
But MD seems normal compared to NJ.
But MD seems normal compared to NJ.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Hey, no worries! I left the state and fled to PA (several times, actually) for the night-vs-day difference in firearms laws, but from the '70s to today, I've regularly shot in, hunted it, and transported firearms through the state, and I've never had a single bad experience with law-enforcement.
I know it happens, and the state's laws and official attitude on firearms needs dramatic reform, but there are a LOT of shooters and gun owners here, and western (or southern, eastern shore, etc.) MD isn't quite like Metro DC.
DO follow the law -- and maybe even go a step beyond the law if you can -- but firearms are just as much of a way of life out here as they are in many other states, and the chances of you running afoul of the law, when you've taken steps to abide by it, are vanishingly small.
Enjoy your trip!
I know it happens, and the state's laws and official attitude on firearms needs dramatic reform, but there are a LOT of shooters and gun owners here, and western (or southern, eastern shore, etc.) MD isn't quite like Metro DC.
DO follow the law -- and maybe even go a step beyond the law if you can -- but firearms are just as much of a way of life out here as they are in many other states, and the chances of you running afoul of the law, when you've taken steps to abide by it, are vanishingly small.
Enjoy your trip!
MD does not have any CCW license reciprocity and does not honor any other state's CCL.
As always, the main points are not to be stopped in the first place, and to exercise discretion. A while back, a PA man driving in MD was arrested, jailed, and ultimately fined because a police officer saw a speedloader on his console. Carrying a speedloader is not against the law, but the court ruled that its presence was probable cause to think that the driver had a concealed handgun in the car (he did) so a search was justifiable. So keep ammo, gun accessories and even gun publications out of sight to avoid any problems, even if there is no gun in the car.
But the man was stopped in the first place for speeding and illegal passing (passing on the right using a turn lane).
Jim
As always, the main points are not to be stopped in the first place, and to exercise discretion. A while back, a PA man driving in MD was arrested, jailed, and ultimately fined because a police officer saw a speedloader on his console. Carrying a speedloader is not against the law, but the court ruled that its presence was probable cause to think that the driver had a concealed handgun in the car (he did) so a search was justifiable. So keep ammo, gun accessories and even gun publications out of sight to avoid any problems, even if there is no gun in the car.
But the man was stopped in the first place for speeding and illegal passing (passing on the right using a turn lane).
Jim
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