Maryland's anti-gun stance is going to cost them my tourist $$$ this summer ....

[BlkHawk73]

An old co-worker used to vacation at Rehoboth Beach a bit and always said what a nice area it was.

 

[PcolaDawg]

An old co-worker used to vacation at Rehoboth Beach a bit and always said what a nice area it was.

Glad to hear it! I drove by it about four years ago after dropping one of my kids off at a football camp in Annapolis, and it looks like a very cool area. I think my wife will like it. And I'll like staying out of Maryland.

 

[inclinebench]

I had to drive up to Maryland last week for a memorial service. It felt so wrong on so many levels as I emptied the guns and ammo out of the truck before heading off. Had it not been to go pay respect to someone, I would not have gone to that state. Home now, and once again have the truck loaded with goodies.

 

[devildog4329]

I grew up in maryland. Lived there up until 2009. Then i moved 3 miles over the boarder into WV and never thought twice about it. I still work in Maryland and most of my family still lives there so dealing with not carrying most of the time is just something i have to live with. Needless to say i try to stay on my side of the river as much as possible.

 

[harrygunner]

Someone asking about Maryland laws thought I was kidding when I said I can't see how a non-resident can legally stop in Maryland with a handgun.

One can travel through, stop for gas or maybe a meal, but prolonged stays are not allowed. Overnight stay in a hotel, visits with relatives, shopping at a mall, etc. could lead to jail time.

 

[230therapy]

Maryland's anti-gun government causes them to lose ALL my money, all year long!

I do not set foot in Maryland and will drive around it if at all possible.

 

[kingpin008]

One can travel through, stop for gas or maybe a meal, but prolonged stays are not allowed. Overnight stay in a hotel, visits with relatives, shopping at a mall, etc. could lead to jail time.

100% bull. As long as the gun is not CCW'd, a non-resident can stay as long as they'd like with a handgun. Transport and storage rules must be followed while in state, but there is nothing in Maryland law that prohibits anything you've mentioned. Please post the relevant law that you base your comment on.

 

[Sam1911]

Someone asking about Maryland laws thought I was kidding when I said I can't see how a non-resident can legally stop in Maryland with a handgun.

One can travel through, stop for gas or maybe a meal, but prolonged stays are not allowed. Overnight stay in a hotel, visits with relatives, shopping at a mall, etc. could lead to jail time.

Hold on a minute. This isn't true at all. Md's laws are "bad" but not quite that bad. You cannot carry your handgun concealed, and you must transport it in accordance with Maryland's laws, but you certainly can stay overnight, visit relatives, go shooting, etc.

Here's a post that explains why it is perfectly legal to have your handgun with you in your hotel room: http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6457508&postcount=36

I travel to shooting competitions in MD with some regularity -- and do so perfectly legally.

 

[Sam1911]

What MD law does say (or at least the NRA-ILA's brief on it) is this:

A person may transport a handgun if they can demonstrate that the handgun is being carried, worn or transported:
• To or from a place of legal purchase or sale, or repair shop;
• Between a person’s bona fide residences, or between his residence and place of business, if the business is operated and substantially owned by that person;
• While engaged in, or traveling to and from a target shoot, formal or informal target practice, sport shooting event, hunting, trapping, or dog obedience training class or show; or
• By a bona fide gun collector who is moving any part or all of his gun collection from place to place for public or private exhibition.

 

[harrygunner]

Sam, When I read Maryland's statutes, I concluded I can drive through with a handgun, but not stop for anything unrelated to traveling through and be legal.

The OP and the other person I referred to were not asking about attending a shooting event. They were asking about stopping while traveling through.

While engaged in, or traveling to and from a target shoot, formal or informal target practice, sport shooting event, hunting, trapping, or dog obedience training class or show;

That's the only exception I've found for a non-resident. I'm well aware of this exception, but, it's unrelated to the OP's question.

OK, I'm totally open to learning.

Start with - (a synopsis of Maryland Criminal Law Section 4-203)

It is unlawful for any person without a permit to wear or carry a handgun, openly or concealed, upon or about his person, or to knowingly transport a handgun in any vehicle traveling on public roads, highways, waterways or airways or upon roads or parking lots generally used by the public. This does not apply to any person wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun within the confines of real estate owned or leased by him, or on which he resided, or within the confines of a business establishment owned or leased by him.

then throw in the exceptions Sam cited.

Other than shooting related events, how can a non-resident stop in Maryland for an extended period, unrelated to traveling through?

 

[Thlax]

Yay Delaware haha. Yeah it sucks being so close to the people's republic of MD. Thankfully I'm not there too often...even though I live 5 miles from border!

Visit the boardwalk at rehobeth but stay in Lewes or somewher else.

Enjoy

 

[PcolaDawg]

Yay Delaware haha. Yeah it sucks being so close to the people's republic of MD. Thankfully I'm not there too often...even though I live 5 miles from border!

Visit the boardwalk at rehobeth but stay in Lewes or somewher else.

Enjoy

Why not stay in Rehoboth?

 

[Sam1911]

then throw in the exceptions Sam cited.

Other than shooting related events, how can a non-resident stop in Maryland for an extended period, unrelated to traveling through?

Well, one of the exceptions I cited was that you could keep a handgun at your hotel.

 

[kingpin008]

This does not apply to any person wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun within the confines of real estate owned or leased by him, or on which he resided,

Note the bolded bit. While you are staying at a hotel or friend's house in MD, you are residing there. That makes having the gun legal. As long as you follow the laws regarding transport and storage as well, you're good to go.

 

[Thlax]

Why not stay in Rehoboth?

Nothing wrong with Rehob, just a little to touristy. Lewes keeps you close yet separated at the same time. Either way you'll have a great time! Get some Dollys saltwater taffy, swing by the candy kitchen for more sugar, if your a fan of grottos pizza (I'm not) they're everywhere.

I also enjoy Bethany. Dewey is for party. If your in Lewes, your right next to thr Cape May ferry as well which is a nice day trip, but the gun can't come

 

[REL1203]

My wife and I own a beach house in Rehoboth for the last 5 years. Its fantastic. Its clean, safe, and alot fun. I live in Northern VA, and have to drive through MD for awhile to get to DE. I belong to an awesome gun club in DE and just about every time i go, i bring something with me. I generally never stop in MD if I dont have to. I keep my guns in one bag, and all ammo in another. Never combine. We are generally in Rehoboth every other weekend in the summer, and at least once a month in off season.

 

[PcolaDawg]

Nothing wrong with Rehob, just a little to touristy. Lewes keeps you close yet separated at the same time. Either way you'll have a great time! Get some Dollys saltwater taffy, swing by the candy kitchen for more sugar, if your a fan of grottos pizza (I'm not) they're everywhere.

I also enjoy Bethany. Dewey is for party. If your in Lewes, your right next to thr Cape May ferry as well which is a nice day trip, but the gun can't come

My wife and I own a beach house in Rehoboth for the last 5 years. Its fantastic. Its clean, safe, and alot fun. I live in Northern VA, and have to drive through MD for awhile to get to DE. I belong to an awesome gun club in DE and just about every time i go, i bring something with me. I generally never stop in MD if I dont have to. I keep my guns in one bag, and all ammo in another. Never combine. We are generally in Rehoboth every other weekend in the summer, and at least once a month in off season.

Thanks for the advice. Looking forward to it.

 

[harrygunner]

Sam, Kingpin -

The words 'residences', 'residence' and 'resides' all appear in Section 4-203.

http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2010/criminal-law/title-4/subtitle-2/4-203/

One reference is about transporting from a place of purchase to ones residence. A non-resident can't pick up a handgun in Maryland, so the word 'residence' could not apply to a hotel or a friend's house one is visiting.

So, I'm reading 'resides' with the standard meaning, the same meaning that reference connotes.

Here's a Maryland LEO's opinion (that should not be trusted) http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...902-traveling-md-eastern-shore.html#post50777

Here's a former assistant Atty General's response saying "... Maryland's appellate courts have not addressed the issue of whether a hotel room is a bona fide residence ..." http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...902-traveling-md-eastern-shore.html#post50843

Here's the same assistant Atty General saying FOPA allows the transportation of a firearm through Maryland. http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...ry-County-PD&p=1146514&viewfull=1#post1146514

Here's a lively, more recent discussion on this.
http://www.dcshooters.com/showthread.php?t=32069

Personally, I have no intention of being in Maryland, but I suggest caution to anyone traveling through that state.

 

[Sam1911]

A non-resident can't pick up a handgun in Maryland, so the word 'residence' could not apply to a hotel or a friend's house one is visiting.

Please clarify. What do you mean a non-resident cannot "pick up" a handgun in Maryland?

Here's a quoted section of a post by member Novus Collectus:

Now for the hotel room carry.

(6) the wearing, carrying, or transporting of a handgun by a person on real estate that the person owns or leases or where the person resides or within the confines of a business establishment that the person owns or leases;

You are leasing the hotel room and you are residing there. As I see it, you can carry in the hotel room loaded.

 

[harrygunner]

1) I'm sure you are aware one must pick up a purchased handgun in their state of residence. If I'm a non-resident in Maryland, I can buy a handgun there, but I can't acquire it there. I must acquire it from a FFL in my home state. That's why the word 'residence' in that Maryland statute can not apply to non-residents.

2) What standing does the opinion of "Novus Collectus" have? He makes it clear he is not an attorney.

 

[Sam1911]

1) That clarifies your meaning. You meant "transfer," not literally to "pick up." (I thought perhaps you were stating that it was illegal for a non-resident to touch (pick up) a handgun in MD, which would be patently false.)

2) Of course, but his point appears valid. You are leasing the room for the evening, which falls into one of the approved categories.

In my case, if I'm bringing a gun into MD, I'm almost always on my way to a "formal or informal" shooting engagement (usually a formal one, actually) so I'm in pretty good shape there.

 

[harrygunner]

I know this Maryland law is absurd. Back in 2006, my daughter wanted to visit DC and NYC. I knew FOPA would not apply since I'm not allowed to have a handgun at my final destination, NYC. But I read Maryland law anyway, and came to my conclusion.

Family landed in Virginia. I kept the hotel room in VA with my handgun in the room safe as we drove to spent a few days in NYC. Drove back to Virgina and enjoyed several sights in that free state.

DC was just a subway ride away. Felt some anger walking on Constitution Avenue in DC, stripped of my Constitutional rights.

 

[cskny]

Wow, how bizarre.

So based on this logic, before I decide to visit a state I suppose I should also check into all laws on every other socially relevant issue to make sure I agree?

Healthcare, abortion, social services, budgets, organized labor, gay rights, etc... ???

Or is it only logical to boycott visiting states based on gun rights?

 

[kingpin008]

I've been thinking that exact thing this whole time, CSKNY.

And even if some here choose to boycott because of the gun rights issue, boycotts really don't do much good unless the place being boycotted is informed of the action, and the reasoning behind it. Otherwise, what's the point, other than willfully restricting your own freedom?