Maryland Gun Laws

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I Might be moving......I looked up Maryland on the NRA-ILA site and it doesnt look good. The prices on homes are unbelievable also. Pennsylvania is 1 hour to 1.25 hours to the North? Anyone here live in Maryland? Anyone here commute to outside D.C.? I would like to know from someone familiar with MD.

Thanks!

I'm hoping a job in Texas comes through......

 

[kingpin008]

I'm in Maryland. What, specifically, would you like to know?

 

[RobMoore]

Define "outside DC" and I can be specific about where to move. I live in MD, but I'm going to move to VA in the next few years because I hate MD.

Guns laws here are bad, but they could be worse. I haven't run across a gun that I wanted that I couldn't buy, but have always had to wait 7+days.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I would like to know how the gun laws work in real life... (Rockville)

THe NRA site says "Assault Rifles" are to be registered.... How much of a Pain in the @&& is it to deal with the state for ARs, AKs, Pistols, etc.?

Do they limit sales or have stupid laws designed to snare you even if your not up to anything. (IE Stupid transport & Possession Laws; GREY areas that are randomly enforced...) THe general feel is one of ANTI gun, so I'm expecting it to be as not good. IF SO, I may turn down any offer in MD or know I'll be commuting from PA or VA.

 

[alligator94]

So called assault rifles and pistols are limited to one a month with a mandatory week waiting period for purchase. For transporting them, put them in trunk unloaded. I got out of there years ago, and would never move back. Oh, for the good news.. Crime in Montgomery County,MD is at a 17 year high!

 

[kingpin008]

AR's and AK's, and handguns are considered "regulated arms", which means that they are not "cash and carry" as things like shotguns and other rifles are. Basically, when buying a regulated arm in Maryland, you fill out the Federal 4473, as well as the MSP background check forms, pay the $10 MSP fee, and the dealer calls in the info as usual. Then he sends the MSP forms to the MSP, and within 7 days, you will get either an "approved" or "not disapproved" response. "Not disapproved" means you get a call from the shop and you go pick up your gun.

As mentioned above, there is a one-gun-a-month rule in regards to regulated arms, but that can be bypassed with a simple (and free) form that you fill out that designates you as a collector. With that form, your purchases are limited only by your bank account.

Mags over 20 rounds are legal, however you may not purchase them or sell them in MD. Basically, you can go out of state and buy as many as you'd like and bring them back - but if you want to get rid of them (sell them, trade, etc) you must do it out of state.

Hm. What else. Oh - transport is kinda wierd. The law states that the only legal reason/places to transport are to and from a range, established shooting event, gun shop, or gunsmith. So technically, if you stopped to get a coffee on the way to the range and had were pulled over and searched, you could concieveably be in trouble should the officer want to make it an issue. I've -never- heard of anyone ever being arrested or fined for a violation of this sort, but the law is somewhat vague, so it's up to you if you want to take your chances.

Transport must be unloaded (mags included) and in some sort of case.

No home storage requirements, unless you live with kids - in that case, you have to have them locked up.

That's pretty much all I can think of right now, I'm sure others will come along and fill in any gaps I may have left. Bottom line is, yeah, we have some hoops to jump through, but we're working on them, and they're not nearly as bad as other have it.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Thanks kingpin008.

 

[kingpin008]

Sure thing man. Do you know where you'd be moving to yet? Depending on where it is, I'd be happy to take ya to one of the local ranges when you get settled in.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Its still just a possibility. But thank you, and if it goes farther I'll drop you a message.

 

[cochise9424221]

I am in Rockville. There are some "assault pistols" that are banned like the tec 9 and the calico. If you own one now you can bring it with you but cant transfer or sell it with in MD.
Class 3 is fine here. MD has a 20 round restriction on magazine capacity but you can buy them elsewhere and they are legal to own just not sell or transfer within the state. ARs are treated like handguns.
New handguns can be a pain as they have to be approved by a roster board before they are legal for sale in the state.
Concealed carry is more of a fantasy than a reality as it is shall issue and the judge will disagee with your need for protection and deny you.
Good news is from Rockville you have at least 4 outdoor ranges and two indoor ranges with in 40 minutes drive, maybe more than that, I might have missed some.

 

[MIgunguy]

technically, if you stopped to get a coffee on the way to the range and had were pulled over and searched, you could concieveably be in trouble should the officer want to make it an issue. I've -never- heard of anyone ever being arrested or fined for a violation of this sort

I'm originally from Maryland. I've never heard of anyone being arrested for this, either. Check out this websitre and join the forum http://www.mdshooters.com/ Very useful and friendly, and they can tell you lots more and answer more specific questions. It's not the most gun-friendly, very anti CCW (nearly impossible to get for us mere mortals), but it's not that bad. Democrats seem to have a monopoly in state politics. Cost of living has always been high around D.C., and crime and traffic congestion are constantly getting worse. In 10 or 20 years I wouldn't even want to go back to visit the family it'll be so congested.

 

[kingpin008]

as it is may issue and the judge will disagee with your need for protection and deny you.

Fixed it for ya.

 

[MIgunguy]

Yeah, owners there wish it was a shall issue state!

 

[kingpin008]

It's still just a possibility. But thank you, and if it goes farther I'll drop you a message.

Good deal.

 

[Threeband]

Previous posters have gotten the main points pretty accurately.

Here's the Collector's Affidavit:
http://www.mdsp.org/Downloads/Collector_Application_Affidavit.pdf

If you register yourself with the police this way, you can buy unlimited handguns and "assault weapons" with no waiting period.

Since a Collector can transport all or part of his collection for any reason, this can give you cover on the transport law. Still, as others have said, I've never heard of anyone being prosecuted for transporting an unloaded, secured handgun. And I don't believe that law applies to longguns.

An oddity: AR 15 HBARs are not regulated. You can buy 'em by the six-pack, and take 'em home that same day.

Do check out this site, already mentioned:

http://www.mdshooters.com/

And also this one:

http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/introduction.msnw

And I hate to say it, but Montgomery County (i.e., Rockville) is probably the worst part of the state, from our point of view. Monkey County is so damn progressive it'll make you want to vomit.

That is worth repeating:

Monkey County is so damn progressive it'll make you want to vomit.

Pennsylvania to Rockville is too far. I used to work down that way, and it was about an hour from my house in southern Carroll, and I'm a good 45 minutes south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Northern Virginia is more practical, but you will learn to love the American Legion Bridge, because it's that or the General Jubal Early





http://i.pbase.com/g3/55/529055/2/89729560.weJxiTBV.jpg


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[somoss]

montgomery county sucks!

to addon to the list of problems you will have:
many online sites hav problems with selling C&R handguns to you if you hold a C&R license. it is legal to send them to you but they will not.
Most places (almost 100% now) will not mail ammo to you in Montgomery county.
You are likely to hit a deer with your car in the first month you are here.
good luck.

 

[kingpin008]

Threeband - Can you clarify something for me? As I understand it, the collector's affadavit exempts one from the 30-day rule, but not the 7-day waiting period, correct?

And thanks for bringing up the bit about the HBAR - I had heard that awhile ago, but completely forgot about it.

 

[Threeband]

Kingpin, yes, it looks like you're right.

A poster named Firehawk, at www.mdshooters.com, says:

the md collector status only eliminates the 30 days between purchases on modern regulated firearms. you still must wait the 7 days. it also allows the puchase of more than 2 regulated firearms at once.

(http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=12187)

I've resisted registering myself with the police so far. My tinfoil hat just won't let me. You know about the underground Emergency Management Center in Reisterstown, don't you? I believe it looks like this:

Anyway, I believe they have giant maps on the wall, with a big red light marking the home of every Collector and Cruffler in the state.

It must be true, just look at the photograph!


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[mgkdrgn]

I just recently escaped from MD down here to SC. (2 years ago the day after Thanksgiving)

The prices on homes are unbelievable also.

You got that sh*t right, and you haven't even touched on home sale closing costs (highest in the nation) and taxes (not the highest yet, but they are trying)

For example ... What I cleared on the sale of my 1700 sq' 30 year old 3 level TH in Columbia MD, with no yard and ONE parking space paid for my 2,000 sq' single family detached contemporary, with an attached garage, in ground pool, nice yard with a sprinkler system here near Columbia SC ... twice ... with change left over.

Be prepared to part with something in the mid 6 figures ... or a similar monthly amount in rent.

Pennsylvania is 1 hour to 1.25 hours to the North?

You can get to NORTHERN BALTIMORE from Pennsylvania on a good day in 90 minutes, but there is no way you'll make a daily commute to outside DC in that amount of time. Just ain't gonna happen. Think more like 2.5 hrs, one way.

The last commute there I had was from Columbia, MD to Silver Spring, MD. Total of 12.8 miles. It' generally took me 40 minutes or so. And if there is just ONE snowflake, or an accident between you and where you are going ... fuggetaboutit.

And remember ... that area is STILL growing. When you get there, remember it fondly ... because that is as good as it's going to get (traffic, crowding, expense and taxes wise).

As for the gun stuff ... the biggie is that if you have a CCW permit now ... kiss it goodbye. Maryland doesn't want to chance you doing any harm to their criminals.

 

[Ric in Richmond]

Suggestion...if at all possible....live in VIRGINIA.

And yes ...I have lived in BOTH.

 

[somoss]

I agree if you have to live in the area live in Virginia, if you must live in Marland near DC, dont live in Montgomery county, if you must live in Montgomery county live outide of the urban zone.if you have to live inside of the urban zone...good luck

 

[somoss]

run...