Need info on MD and PA, Potential Move

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jamesb

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Indianapolis, IN
Well the Command I work for is being BRAC'd from VA to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD next year. The commute is too far to do every day so I have to make a choice either move with the command or find a new job. If I move my choices would be to move up in that area in MD or move to PA just over the line. I would appreciate it if any members that live in that area of MD or just over the boarder in PA could let me know how the areas are in reference to gun shows, ranges, gun shops, concealed carry, and hunting.
thanks
 
As far as I know, MD doesn't allow ccw at all, or its very difficult. PA is a shall issue state.
 
In PA, if you can legally buy a handgun, you should be issued a LTCF, (some local areas are tougher than others.) There is TONS of info on PA Firearms here: http://www.pafoa.com
 
^ What he said. You will likely find much more in the way of ranges and gun shops in PA than Maryland, I guess it's also a question of how far you want to drive for your commute. It is worth it to me, I live in PA and work in Maryland.

Additionally, you might also get good information from Maryland Shooters, at:

http://www.mdshooters.com/

Good luck! ;)
.
 
Tricky question. It looks like ~20 miles to the border, but the closest decent-sized town is in MD.

Remember, APG is in the sensible part of Maryland, not the DC-Baltimore Axis of Evil. Hunting is good both places. You can't get CCW in MD, but can get out-of-state papers for PA. Taxes will be lower in PA.

It's up to you. Personally, I'd look right on the PA side of the border and work from there.
 
Most Marylanders would tell you to live in PA if you possibly can. Sad, but true.

I strongly recommend you join www.MarylandShooters.com. That's where you'll find the best info on Maryland.

There is a very rich, active shooting community here.
 
I would choose PA if it was within a reasonable commuting distance. Otherwise, I might just start looking for another job. VA is not too bad.
 
PA is 20 minutes from APG. The property taxes are much higher in PA than in MD. There is a decent shooting range right in Delta, PA. As far as Maryland the price of property is till high.
Absolutely no CCW in Maryland but Maryland is friendly when it comes to owning a full auto.
 
My username used to be MDshooter... now it's PAshooter... there's a reason for that. I work in MD and used to live there - within spitting distance of the Mason-Dixon line. About ten years ago I wised up and moved 20 miles North to freedom. You couldn't pay me enough to move back to MD.

PA is a shall issue state - MD is may (but won't if you're not politically connected) issue.

In PA when you buy a handgun they run an instant check and you take your purchase home - MD has a seven day waiting period.

In PA a rifle is a rifle - in MD "evil black rifles" are considered regulated firearms; in the same class as handguns with the same State Police paperwork and seven day waiting period.

MD has a "one handgun a month" rule - no such silliness in PA. Though to be honest, in MD you can apply for what is called "collector status" (more paperwork requiring State Police approval) which waives that limit. I did this when I lived there... it was trivial but annoying.

MD has an "approved handgun roster" - if it's not on the list you can't buy it... though honestly I never found this to be a problem. They also used to require new handguns to come with two fired cases which were sent to the State Police for their "ballistic fingerprinting database." Not sure if they still do that, as it was a silly waste of time and money... not to mention it meant certain new handguns were unavailable because the manufacturers didn't play along.

Both states are Class III "friendly" - I never bought any of those while living in MD, but here in York County PA at least it's a simple matter to get the Sheriff to sign off on your Form 4's and send you on your way.

Oh, and no silly mag capacity limits in PA - MD has a 20 round limit on what you can purchase in-state... but of course PA is only minutes away :)

As a "gun guy" I would never again consider living in MD if I could help it.
 
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I lived in either PA or MD for most of my life. I now live in SC. Moved there from MD (had lived there for 28 years) 4 years ago with no job ... that is how bad I wanted out (of course, I -did- live between Baltimore and DC on the I-95 Corridor, not -all- of MD is -that- bad).

Anyway, all things being equal (and they never are), given the choice I'd live in PA.

However, all things never equal ....

A minimum 20 mile (and more like 30 once you actually find a house?) one way commute every day -is- going to grind on you, and steal from you the the one thing you can never replace ... time.

The BRAC thing is going to push a lot of people into MD, so the competition for housing is going to get pretty intense, in an area where it is pretty intense to begin with.

A PA CWP -really- won't do you much good if you spend most of you time in MD, as that is where you will work and where all the shopping will be done.

If you have any children, I'd be more concerned about what the schools were like.

Best of luck to you ... don't worry, you'll survive it! :)
 
A PA CWP -really- won't do you much good if you spend most of you time in MD, as that is where you will work and where all the shopping will be done.

A valid point, though in my case it was the principal of the thing as much as anything else. Since I still work in MD you're right - I can't carry five days out of the week. As for shopping, depending on where you live PA has stores too. I find I seldom need to venture South of the border on weekends.
 
Have you looked into WV very gun friendly state and your commute wouldn't be bad. I live in Martinsburg which is about 2 1/2 hours from APG I have family that lives there. Or try Charlestown in Jefferson County would cut commute in half
 
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You can't get CCW in MD, but can get out-of-state papers for PA.
Actually, this is not true. PA requires that you have a license or permit from your home state IF your home state issues a permit. Since MD does ... in theory ... offer a permit (though not in practice) you would have to have to possess one in order to obtain the PA LCTF. I have heard of instances where this was overlooked, but wouldn't count on it.

...

FWIW, I live in PA and commute to MD every day -- 40 min. each way.

(To compare, this is after a 4 year stint living in MD. In MD, I commuted about 25 miles most days. I never made it in less than 1.5 hours. Now I commute about 40 miles each way and it takes me about 40 min. No traffic, just cows, farms, and beautiful countryside.)

The idea that I'd live in MD again because it is closer to work is UTTERLY LAUGHABLE. To say that life up here is more favorable -- in EVERY SINGLE WAY -- is a gross understatement.

Great CCW laws, very favorable "gun culture," 100s ... no, 1000s ... of local gun clubs and ranges with such varying characters and facilities that you can find something that fits your style perfectly, and quite a few (non-gun-related) other compelling attributes.

When I lived in MD, my gun club's fees were $500. Here in PA, my club's dues are $55 a year for a great club that's far more active and much more aligned with my interests.

I shoot a lot of IDPA competitions. I get an email that lists somewhere between 10 and 15 matches within driving distance EVERY WEEKEND. And that's just in one competition discipline! There are just WAY more matches, events, gun shows, gun shops, ranges, and other interesting opportunities available here to take advantage of 10% of it all.
 
No brainer. There are a list of things to dislike about PA, but guns rights/culture (outside of the two major cities) ain't one of them.
 
PA requires that you have a license or permit from your home state IF your home state issues a permit. Since MD does ... in theory ... offer a permit (though not in practice) you would have to have to possess one in order to obtain the PA LCTF.

.... and right now you are a properly licensed VA resident and CCW are you not?
 
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