Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

MNMGoneShooting wrote:So I can take it up to PA (in the trunk until allowed by a state law where I can have it on my person). Otherwise, if I'm going to NJ, NY or CT, I'm sexual-intercoursed.

Got it.

Correct.

This is why we moved from Maryland to Virginia!

I'm a bit hesitant to post the following as it can be a bit risky despite being legal, but here goes... I live in Virginia but I do shoot some pistol matches in Maryland because I like those matches. So, I did my homework on Maryland law regarding transporting a handgun to a competition shooting event. By Maryland law, it's actually legal for me to carry my unloaded pistol in an enclosed case or enclosed holster and have it located right next to me (does not have to be in my car's trunk). I can also have loaded magazines stored with the pistol in the enclosed case or enclosed holster so long as they are NOT in the firearm.

Now note that I said the above was legal according to Maryland law; I did not say it was wise.

If you want to disagree me on the legality of the above, please cite the Maryland law that says you can not do what I've described. Then, we can discuss.

Chasbo00 wrote:I'm a bit hesitant to post the following as it can be a bit risky despite being legal, but here goes... I live in Virginia but I do shoot some pistol matches in Maryland because I like those matches. So, I did my homework on Maryland law regarding transporting a handgun to a competition shooting event. By Maryland law, it's actually legal for me to carry my unloaded pistol in an enclosed case or enclosed holster and have it located right next to me (does not have to be in my car's trunk). I can also have loaded magazines stored with the pistol in the enclosed case or enclosed holster so long as they are NOT in the firearm.

Now note that I said the above was legal according to Maryland law; I did not say it was wise.

If you want to disagree me on the legality of the above, please cite the Maryland law that says you can not do what I've described. Then, we can discuss.

Transporting in MD is legal if you can prove that you are either transporting to your business (that you own) or home and also allows you to transport if you are going to or returning from a range or a gun shop. If you have the proper permits then you are allowed additional liberties according to your permit.

CARRYING AND TRANSPORTATION IN VEHICLES

It is unlawful for any person without a permit to wear or carry a handgun, openly or concealed, upon or about his person. It is also unlawful for any person 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 resides, or within the confines of a business establishment owned or leased by him.

Rifles and shotguns being transported in motor vehicles must be unloaded.

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.

During transportation to and from the above places the handgun must be unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or enclosed holster. An additional penalty is provided for any person convicted of unlawfully wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun, if his deliberate purpose was to injure or kill another person.

string6guru wrote: Transporting in MD is legal if you can prove that you are either transporting to your business (that you own) or home and also allows you to transport if you are going to or returning from a range or a gun shop. If you have the proper permits then you are allowed additional liberties according to your permit.

The burden of proof is not on me as you state above; I merely need to claim that an exemption applies to me. It's the state's burden to prove (in court) that I was not in compliance with one of the statute's exemptions I claimed.

Now, if your point is that I could be arrested and charged and my gun(s) confiscated, then I agree. Although I would likely ultimately win in court and get my gun(s) back, I suspect it would cost me a few thousand dollars in legal fees. I might even be able win a suit and some money as an award, based on a false arrest; but, doing this is not as easy as some might think, especially in Maryland.

Personally, I carry my guns unloaded, cased and in my car's trunk when I travel in Maryland.