I'm pretty sure Maryland doesn't want me bringing a handgun into the state in my travels, but I'm wondering today about shotguns.
A friend has invited The Lovely Girlfriend and me to a sporting clays event in PA, with a couple of days at their place in MD beforehand and said, "use our guns or bring your own, whichever you'd prefer."
Naturally, the easy choice is to use theirs and not worry about transporting anything. I don't know yet, though, if the group's offerings include a short length-of-pull gun that TLG could use. So I figured we could take hers, but I need to learn more about possible restrictions/issues before doing so.
I'll admit that I haven't done the requisite "Googling" yet. Truly, I figured I'd get a better answer here, and probably quicker.
Thanks, all.
- - - - October 9: Edited original post for clarity. I stated the event location incorrectly, and that's my fault. Correction is in italics.This message has been edited. Last edited by: vthoky,
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
October 04, 2024, 03:50 PM
Sig2340
So long as you are going to a "legitimate" firearms function like shooting on a range.
The gun needs to be unloaded, in a locked case, with ammo in a separate case with both in the vehicle such that the occupants cannot readily access the firearms or ammo.
You need to drive straight to the range, shoot, and return to Virginia. You cannot legally deviate from this (e.g., to go shopping while en route into or out of Maryland).
Nice is overrated
"It's every freedom-loving individual's duty to lie to the government." Airsoftguy, June 29, 2018
October 04, 2024, 03:56 PM
car541
the federal statute is 18USC926a
It actually works for all forearms, if you legally possess on both ends of the trip. Given that, several jurisdictions(NY State as an example) refuse to follow the law and requyire that the individual sue to get their guns back.
quote:
18USC926a
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
(Added Pub. L. 99–360, § 1(a), July 8, 1986, 100 Stat. 766.)
***************************** "I don't own the night, I only operate a small franchise" - Author unknown
October 04, 2024, 04:43 PM
vthoky
quote:
Originally posted by Sig2340: So long as you are going to a "legitimate" firearms function like shooting on a range.
Check.
quote:
The gun needs to be unloaded, in a locked case, with ammo in a separate case with both in the vehicle such that the occupants cannot readily access the firearms or ammo.
Can do.
quote:
You need to drive straight to the range, shoot, and return to Virginia. You cannot legally deviate from this (e.g., to go shopping while en route into or out of Maryland).
Um... maybe problematic. We're set to visit friends on the way, and will have a couple of overnights during the trip.
quote:
Originally posted by car541: the federal statute is 18USC926a
It actually works for all forearms, if you legally possess on both ends of the trip. Given that, several jurisdictions(NY State as an example) refuse to follow the law and require that the individual sue to get their guns back.
quote:
18USC926a
And thank you for the statute.
This looks like taking our own will be a mild challenge, at best. I'll ask to borrow the group's guns.
Thank you both. I do appreciate your help.
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
October 04, 2024, 05:45 PM
PGT
I stopped going to a friend of a friend's farm in MD to shoot because of the new dumb rules. Can't even stop to use the bathroom, get food, etc after we shoot.
MD gets zero revenue or taxes from me if I can help it as a result.
October 05, 2024, 06:18 PM
lyman
quote:
Originally posted by PGT: I stopped going to a friend of a friend's farm in MD to shoot because of the new dumb rules. Can't even stop to use the bathroom, get food, etc after we shoot.
MD gets zero revenue or taxes from me if I can help it as a result.
are you shooting MD legal (as in not on the MD bad gun list) firearms or just generic (fuddy) guns?
Bringing shotguns into Maryland should be fine, but it's smart to check the local laws first just to be on the safe side. When I traveled to a sporting event there, I ended up using my friend's gear because it made things way easier. If you think TLG's shotgun might be a better fit, just look into how to transport it legally.
October 07, 2024, 07:19 PM
captain127
It has been a while, and I know some things have changed, but for years I took an annual trip to Chesapeake Bay to waterfowl hunt. We just tossed guns in soft cases no locks into the trunk and went. While there shouldn’t be, the rules or level of scrutiny likely varies widely between a basic trap/ clays/ hunting shotgun and a handgun or full featured modern sporting rifle Might also want to reach out to an organization like the ATA ( amateur trapshooting association) as they may have insight, as many avid shot gunners travel the country to participate in all sorts of matches. I previously resided in the worst state for gun owners ( NY) and even there traveling and transporting a shotgun was no big deal ( though they also upped the ante with locking case requirements while transporting.
October 07, 2024, 09:31 PM
hrcjon
quote:
18USC926a
is probably not really relevant to this question. What matters in MD law since you will be staying there and shooting. Which should be easy enough to check.
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
October 08, 2024, 06:57 AM
Broadside
quote:
Originally posted by Sig2340: You need to drive straight to the range, shoot, and return to Virginia. You cannot legally deviate from this (e.g., to go shopping while en route into or out of Maryland).
That part of Maryland laws deals with handguns, not long guns.
vthoky - if you are transporting shotguns specifically designed for sporting clays, I wouldn't be too worried about it. As Sig2340 pointed out, keep the shotguns and ammo as separated as possible and as inaccessible to you as possible. If you could break the shotguns down or disassemble them and not have any ammo in the vehicle after you are done with the event that would help even more.
The places you need to worry about are your most likely ingress and egress points which I imagine will be the Capitol Beltway (Montgomery or Prince Georges County). Those are the more "liberal" areas you will encounter in the state. Otherwise the law enforcement you encounter will be more conservative leaning.
October 08, 2024, 07:56 PM
vthoky
Thanks, all, for the help.
I talked to our friend this evening -- he's going to lend us shotguns when we get there, saying, "de-stress your life, man, we've got you covered."
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
October 08, 2024, 10:25 PM
Rick Lee
I shot in MD plenty of times while a VA resident. One time I had a pile of guns in the back seat of a small car and even pulled into some DHS facility to do a U-turn and had to ask the guard directions. Another time we were shooting ARs in a field in Garrett County and didn't even notice an Apache hovering right above us to watch our shooing. Besides, why would you ever let a cop look in your trunk? I've driven all over MD hundreds of times with a gun in my car, never been worried about anything.
Freewill Firearms 07 FFL, Class 2 SOT
October 08, 2024, 10:38 PM
PASig
Pintail Point?
We went there from PA with shotguns some years back, and zero issues. Just keep them cased and separate from ammo.
October 09, 2024, 07:36 PM
vthoky
quote:
Originally posted by PASig: Pintail Point?
Lehigh Valley.
My original post wasn't clear, and that's my fault. The event is in PA, but we'll be staying with our friends in MD beforehand.
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
October 10, 2024, 07:44 AM
Scooter123
Call the State Police and ask. I did that one year when I took 2 shotguns with me while on vacation at Lake George, NY. Spoke to a nice female Sargent at the NY State PD and she did tell me to not bring a handgun but shotguns were perfectly fine. When I asked about 2 flats of 12 gauge target shells she put me on hold for about 5-10 minutes so she could check for any legal limits and came back on the line and said I could bring as much as I needed and then told me to enjoy my vacation in New York. BTW Sandanona is a bit expensive but they treat you like Royalty and it's a wonderful facility so it's worth every penny.
