CCW on a road trip

[Prod]

I'm driving from FL to MD to get some stuff from my mom's house. I have a CCW license from Florida, and it's reciprocated in every state until I get to MD. So when I'm driving across the MD state line, what do I do?

Here's the laws:
http://law.justia.com/maryland/codes/gcr/4-203.html

I'll definitely have to unload it, no question about that. Not sure if I can count my mom's house as a residence, or if I could be considered a "gun collector".

 

[JoeShmoe]

This book is very usefull. http://www.gunlaws.com/travel.htm

I used it to plan an RV trip through 11 states last summer. I wouldn't have brought the gun on the trip if I had to interpret the laws of all those states myself.

 

[harrygunner]

I've read Maryland law a few times and have not found a way to legally stop there for a spell with a handgun. I see where I can drive through, so that's what I do, no stopping.

I would also like to hear how a non-resident can legally stay in a hotel, visit relatives, etc. with a handgun.

 

[TheFederalistWeasel]

Peaceable Journey Law?

 

[Prod]

I've read Maryland law a few times and have not found a way to legally stop there for a spell with a handgun. I see where I can drive through, so that's what I do, no stopping.

I would also like to hear how a non-resident can legally stay in a hotel, visit relatives, etc. with a handgun.

Sure thing. I'll just tell my mom to pack up shop and move to a gun friendly state.

Worst case scenario I can put the pistol in its case and throw it in the trunk and keep the mags in the back seat, right?

 

[billybob44]

Sure thing. I'll just tell my mom to pack up shop and move to a gun friendly state.

Worst case scenario I can put the pistol in its case and throw it in the trunk and keep the mags in the back seat, right?

I would not place the mags. in the back seat. I would unload-case the handgun-place on one side of the trunk-in a travel bag. Place the mags in a small travel bag on the other side of the trunk. Cops can search the inside (pass. compartment) of a car with no warrant. They need STRONG reasons to go into locked trunk.

 

[Prod]

Well my car is a wagon so I can't exactly lock my trunk.

 

[harrygunner]

Prod

I wasn't being facetious or suggesting your mother move.

As I read Maryland law, a non-resident can cross Maryland under federal law, but stopping with a handgun (no matter how it's packed away) for more than gassing up the car or eating is illegal.

Just giving you my reading as well as asking others if I read it correctly.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I would not place the mags. in the back seat. I would unload-case the handgun-place on one side of the trunk-in a travel bag. Place the mags in a small travel bag on the other side of the trunk. Cops can search the inside (pass. compartment) of a car with no warrant. They need STRONG reasons to go into locked trunk.

Really? I was under the impression that cops couldn't search even the passenger compartment without PC or without your consent.

 

[JoeShmoe]

It appears that Maryland is similar to NY in that you cannot legally possess a handgun (regardless of it's location or loaded condition) unless you have a Maryland handgun permit. The only exception would be the peacable journey law, which wouldn't apply here since your destination is Maryland. Maryland rarely issues non resident permits, and does not recognize any other state's permit. By the way, the Travelers Guide rates Maryland even lower than New York, on it's scale of gun freedom.

 

[Yellowfin]

I would say disassemble it when you get there or disassemble it before then. Locked in a hard case I doubt anyone's going to mess with you much. Once you get out of MD just reassemble, load, and holster.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Cops can search the inside (pass. compartment) of a car with no warrant.

No, cops can't do that. Cops can VISIBLY CHECK these areas from outside the vehicle without a warrant and anything in plain sight might give them probable cause but they cannot search anything without a warrant other than your body. Even then there are some limitations under Terry.