Shipping an AK & Glock to Maryland

[Alex45ACP]

I'm going to Maryland for a few weeks and want to go shooting with family members while I'm there. I want to ship the following to myself at a relative's house in MD:

1. AK clone with folding stock and other "evil" accessories (muzzle brake, bayonet lug etc.)
2. 10 30 round AK mags

I know they have some weird laws there because my friend tried to order some 30 round AK mags and AIM Surplus wouldn't ship them to him in MD. Can I legally ship this stuff to myself there?

I also want to bring a Glock pistol & mags but I think I'm going to bring them in my checked baggage on the plane instead because shipping a handgun is such a hassle.

 

[kingpin008]

Alex - while you probably could ship them to yourself, I'd just pack them in your luggage and bring them in that way.

And if any of your family members have AKs, you can't gift them any of the mags while in-state. Just a heads-up.

 

[Alex45ACP]

Why would you take it in luggage? I think it would be much more likely to be stolen that way.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

You need to make a serious effort at reading the law in the state/states you will be visiting. Some (Mostly coastal) states have very strict (Unconstitutional) laws.

BECAREFUL!

 

[Sam1911]

The Maryland code says:

§ 4-305. Detachable magazines - Prohibited.
(a) Scope of section.- This section does not apply to a .22 caliber rifle with a tubular magazine.

(b) Prohibited.- A person may not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, purchase, receive, or transfer a detachable magazine that has a capacity of more than 20 rounds of ammunition for a firearm.

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 36H-5(b); 2002, ch. 26, § 2.]

To be in strict accordance with the law, I would bring the magazines with me. I would not receive a shipment of them -- even if shipped by ME.

The Maryland rules on "regulated weapons" like your AK only apply to the point of sale. You can bring it without any problem.

Personally, I'd be flying or driving with my rifle and mags. But that's just me.

 

[kingpin008]

Why would you take it in luggage? I think it would be much more likely to be stolen that way.

You're already planning on bringing your Glock with you in your luggage, right? I'd be more worried about an actual firearm being stolen, than a stack of magazines.

And as Sam pointed out, our state laws in regards to "high-cap" mags are such that shipping them, even to yourself, is a potentially risky situation.

 

[Alex45ACP]

Yeah I'm going to check the Glock in my luggage but why risk having 2 firearms stolen from my luggage? I'd rather ship the Glock too but shipping a handgun is a pain because it can't go USPS and UPS/FedEx make you ship priority which is very expensive.

Anyone know the rules about taking magazines in luggage? Maybe I'll ship the rifle to myself and take the mags in my luggage.

 

[kingpin008]

I'm not completely up on the rules regarding proper packaging for ammo so you might want to keep them empty, but the mags themselves are not regulated in any way by airlines. You could pack a duffel bag full of mags, and as long as they met the weight requirement of the airline, they'd send 'em along with you.

As for flying with firearms, the risk of having them stolen is pretty low. I know 3-gun competitiors who fly to matches all the time, and come through perfectly fine.

Also, AK's are considered "regulated arms" here. While mailing a long gun to yourself C/O yourself for use out of state is Federally acceptable, I wonder if MD law feels differently. Preliminary searches aren't turning up anything, but IMHO, I'd MUCH rather just pack 'em both up and fly with them, rather than pack one and ship one. It really isn't that big of a deal, and you save the unnecessary expense of shipping.

 

[Alex45ACP]

To be in strict accordance with the law, I would bring the magazines with me. I would not receive a shipment of them -- even if shipped by ME.

IANAL, but I always thought the word "receive" meant to receive something from another person

If you're an MD resident, can you buy 20+ capacity mags out of state and bring them in?

 

[kingpin008]

IANAL, but I always thought the word "receive" meant to receive something from another person

Not necessarily. To receive is to take possession of. There is no requirement for another person to be involved.

If you're an MD resident, can you buy 20+ capacity mags out of state and bring them in?

All day long. I can buy a truckload of said mags out of state with me and bring them home. As long as they stay MINE while in state, it's all good. Selling or gifting them to another resident must be done outside MD borders, to remain legal.

Nutty, but better than some others have it.