Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Some of you may already be aware of this bill that has been introduced in Maryland. If it passes it will recognize carry permits issued by VA, PA and DE. From my understanding WV was accidently left out of the original wording but will be added to the final bill.

I have invited individuals involved with this bill to post here and explain how we can help. I would think that if this is passed not only will we be able to carry in MD on our CHP but Marylanders would be able to get non-resident permits and carry also, so it seems that we can help each other out.

The text of the bill is attached.


-made sticky until final disposition of the bill

As an after thought, this may even help keep Rick from being hassled by MD cops in VA when he OC's at parks.

Moccasin wrote:... but Marylanders would be able to get non-resident permits and carry also,

That is some kind of interesting back door stuff! Imagine that, you can't get a permit from your state, but a neighboring state's permit lets you carry in your state.

I would not hold my breath waiting for this to pass. Why would they let outsiders carry but not thier own citizens

I would love to see it pass. But it might be even colder around here than it is now.

fireman836 wrote:I would love to see it pass. But it might be even colder around here than it is now.

Better keep an eye on the Weather Channel any way

OakRidgeStars wrote:

fireman836 wrote:I would love to see it pass. But it might be even colder around here than it is now.

Better keep an eye on the Weather Channel any way

Basically that what I was thinking of.

ProShooter wrote:

Moccasin wrote:... but Marylanders would be able to get non-resident permits and carry also,

That is some kind of interesting back door stuff! Imagine that, you can't get a permit from your state, but a neighboring state's permit lets you carry in your state.

Agreed. Makes NO sense at all.

Hi everyone!

Yes indeed HB 52 is seeking to make CCW's from surrounding states legal (we will be amending WVA into the bill due to an oversight in the pre-file).

If we don't have your help, we have ZERO chance to get this passed. Delegate Smigiel believes in this bill and it is my personal opinion that in a year where people are concentrating on the Constitutution and their basic rights, we stand a better chance than before to get this through...but not without the voice of 2nd Amendment supporters. We especially need to hear from those of you who do business (or live) in Maryland.

We have a hearing date of January 26th at 1 PM. If you are able to testify in person, please let me know. If you can't be there in person (most effective), please think about sending in your written testimony.

Written testimony can be as long as you see fit. However, if you are testifying in person, your testimony should be much more concise.

If you will send your written testimony to michael.smigiel@house.state.md.us we will submit the appropriate number of copies to the committee for you.

We need your voices to get this out of committee.

Please feel free to call the office or email Delegate Smigiel with any concerns or questions you might have.

Call the Annapolis office: 410-841-3555 or toll free at 1-800-492-7122 extension 3555

Thanks everyone for your help! Call if we can do anything to assist you!

Email sent!

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Hello Delegate Smigiel,

My name is (you know what my name is, VGOF) and I live and work in Dahlgren, VA - just on the other side of the Route 301 Harry Nice bridge over the Potomac River.

I have a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) and I carry virtually everywhere I go. I frequently venture into (through) Maryland on business travel, headed to DC, the Virginia Eastern Shore, and other places around Maryland. Every time, before I cross the Nice bridge, I have to pull over in Virginia and disarm before entering Maryland. By disarm, I mean that I have to stop and get out of my vehicle, remove my sidearm, unload, and place my firearm in the toolbox in the back of my truck (separate from the ammunition).

Usually, when I am on business travel, I have to stay in a hotel, and I find a great deal of comfort having my sidearm in my hotel room with me. You just never know what's going to happen - and I want to be prepared if someone decides that they need to visit my hotel room in the middle of the night. Or if my vehicle breaks down in an unsavory area of town - I want protection. Maryland law currently removes my ability to protect myself.

By being forced to disarm in Maryland, I feel as though my freedom is being violated. I am a law-abiding citizen and I handle my firearm by the letter of the law everywhere I go. I have passed state and federal background checks, confirming my status as a law-abiding citizen.

I make a specific effort NOT to enter Maryland anytime I have the option because of the restrictive gun laws in your state.

Please also take a moment to read the original post in the following link concerning a run-in that I had with a Maryland Transportation Authority Officer on Virginia soil (beach) at the foot of the Route 301 bridge.

general-discussion/talked-the-cops-today-about-t1539.html


Thank you for pushing HB52. I wish you the best of luck with it, as it will certainly make my life easier and will likely bring a great deal of business to your state from people like me who currently refuse to visit Maryland.


Regards,
Me!

email sent
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Delegate Smigiel,

My name is Xxxx Xxxxxx and my wife and I live on Virginia's Eastern Shore. We were born and raised in Southern Maryland, and lived there until I retired from the Federal Government in 2002. My Wife and I have a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) and carry a handgun for self protection.

Because the Eastern Shore is mostly rural area, if I or my wife want to go shopping at the mall or go to a specialty store that is not in the area we need to go across the Chesapeake Bay or into Maryland. While Maryland is closer to our residence I prefer to travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to Va. Beach or Norfolk to shop so I do not have to give up my right to keep and bear arms for self defense.

We also have children, grandchildren and other family that still live in Southern Md. and if we visit them we have to give up the right to arm our self's while traveling to and from their house. If we go to visit family in PA we are required to stop at the MD/VA line, unload our handguns and place them in the trunk. Then once we reach PA we stop reload and place our handguns in our holster to continue our trip as our VA CHP is valid in PA. The more a handgun is handled loading and unloading the more chance an accidental or negligent discharge may occur.

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees an individuals right to keep and bear arms. The recognition of our VA CHP by the Great State of Maryland would make life a lot easier and safer for all involved and go a long way in getting more VA residents to visit and shop in MD.

Rev. Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
xxxxxx, VA
757 xxx-xxxx

allingeneral wrote:Every time, before I cross the Nice bridge, I have to pull over in Virginia and disarm before entering Maryland. By disarm, I mean that I have to stop and get out of my vehicle, remove my sidearm, unload, and place my firearm in the toolbox in the back of my truck (separate from the ammunition).

I am new to the board and a resident of WV. I am also the guy who pointed out that WV had been omitted from HB-52. The main reason that HB-52 is of so much importance to us who are not residents of MD is that most of us don't understand MD laws, and so are in violation of them whenever we enter MD. Title 2, section 203 of Maryland Criminal Code states that the transport of a handgun or regulated firearm is only allowed if going to a range, a gunsmith, or to show a collection. If you go shopping or to a job in Maryland, unload your handgun, lock it in a case in your trunk, and separate your ammo from it (or even dispose of your ammo for that matter), you are still in violation. HB-52 will remedy this for those of us with concealed carry licences. Support it with your written testimony please, and if you are able get to Annapolis on the 26th.

Thanks...Joe Reeves

As long as they have that munchkin woman Sen it wont pass.

284ColtonMag wrote:

allingeneral wrote:Every time, before I cross the Nice bridge, I have to pull over in Virginia and disarm before entering Maryland. By disarm, I mean that I have to stop and get out of my vehicle, remove my sidearm, unload, and place my firearm in the toolbox in the back of my truck (separate from the ammunition).

I am new to the board and a resident of WV. I am also the guy who pointed out that WV had been omitted from HB-52. The main reason that HB-52 is of so much importance to us who are not residents of MD is that most of us don't understand MD laws, and so are in violation of them whenever we enter MD. Title 2, section 203 of Maryland Criminal Code states that the transport of a handgun or regulated firearm is only allowed if going to a range, a gunsmith, or to show a collection. If you go shopping or to a job in Maryland, unload your handgun, lock it in a case in your trunk, and separate your ammo from it (or even dispose of your ammo for that matter), you are still in violation. HB-52 will remedy this for those of us with concealed carry licences. Support it with your written testimony please, and if you are able get to Annapolis on the 26th.

Thanks...Joe Reeves

The above post applies to "Passing through" Maryland. My understanding is that if traveling from point "A" where weapons are allowed to point "B" where weapons are allowed, that the trunk/ammo separation, etc is legal. i.e. traveling from the Virginia mainland to the Virginia Eastern Shore, by way of Maryland - or from Virginia to Pennsylvania.

I don't know the specific cite, but it reads something to the effect of "may transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess it to any other place where he may lawfully possess"

Here is a link to the law,,Federal law allows for transport to prevent any state from banning it entirely.

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Federal/Read.aspx?id=59

18 USC § 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms states:

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.

There's at least one "friendly" on the Maryland House Judiciary Committee. I used the form referenced in the VCDL note and sent an expanded letter. I got a response back just a few hours later from one of the committee members:

Thanks for the email, I will continue to support this legislation and all pro second amendment legislation as I have in the past.

Constitutionally Yours,

Del. Don Dwyer, Jr.
Anne Arundel County
District 31
410-841-3047

Still a long shot, but a pleasant surprise none the less.

So, would a loophole for MD residents be to get a nonresident VA permit and carry in your own state? From what I understand, in MD you have to be good buddies with the governor or other state official to be allowed to have a CCW permit.

vbrtrmn, that would be a loophole that MD wouldn't want I'm sure. One way around it would be for MD to only recognize permits issued by VA to VA residents. Even so, I don't see this one actually flying.

The proposed legislation only says "a permit issued by the state," and makes no distinction between resident and non-resident permits.

I sent all the delegates an email on this.

I agree it has little chance of passing, but t has zero chance if we don't push it.