Carrying your firearm into Maryland

[allingeneral]

While I was at the gun show this weekend, I was asked about what one must do in order to carry his firearm into Maryland. The situation is this:

"I live in Virginia and I like to carry my gun everywhere I go. I have to go into Maryland every other weekend to pick up my kids for custody. Am I allowed to concealed carry into Maryland to pick up my kids?"

We were able to give the gentleman a short answer of "No, you cannot concealed carry in Maryland". However, a little later, I spoke with a guy from Maryland and took the occasion to ask him a couple of questions in order to clarify things in my own mind.

Essentially, the guy from Maryland said that there is NO open carry in Maryland, and the only way to get a concealed carry permit is to show a very specific reason why you should have one. For instance: "I'm a manager at work and I am required to deposit money at the bank a the end of every work day and need protection in order to perform my duties."

LEO's (of course) and security guards can also get a CCW permit - but aside from these three very specific instances, you CANNOT CCW in Maryland.

The only legal way to transport a firearm in Maryland is to lock it up, unloaded and make sure that any ammunition is locked in a separate area of the vehicle that is not accessible in proximity to the gun. For instance, you lock the gun in the glove box and lock the ammo in the trunk.

[Cliff]

I was a Maryland resident before I got the hell out and moved to Virginia. A small correction if I may. You CANNOT lock your firearm in the glovebox while transporting in Maryland. All the above is true except that point. Your firearm MUST be locked in the trunk of your car. Mags must be unloaded, but can be carried in the same container,(range bag),as your firearm. Ammo should be in a seperate container away from the firearm.
The last item seems to vary from county to county I've found. A montgomery county LEO will say one thing,but a Anne Arundle county officer will say another thing.
The key thing as far as Maryland LEO's are concerned with is that the firearm is NOT within your reach at anytime while your operating your vehicle.

[allingeneral]

I was a Maryland resident before I got the hell out and moved to Virginia. A small correction if I may. You CANNOT lock your firearm in the glovebox while transporting in Maryland. All the above is true except that point. Your firearm MUST be locked in the trunk of your car. Mags must be unloaded, but can be carried in the same container,(range bag),as your firearm. Ammo should be in a seperate container away from the firearm.
The last item seems to vary from county to county I've found. A montgomery county LEO will say one thing,but a Anne Arundle county officer will say another thing.
The key thing as far as Maryland LEO's are concerned with is that the firearm is NOT within your reach at anytime while your operating your vehicle.

Thank you for that clarification Cliff!

[flowmaster]

well what about peacable journey laws? if you're just passing through, don't have a destination in MD, and aren't stopping, i'm pretty sure the rules are different, like if you're going from VA to PA and driving through MD on your way.

in this person's case, since MD is their destination, they would have to have the guns out of the passenger area of the vehicle. if they're driving a pickup truck i assume that would mean either in the cargo area of the truck or in a locked box inside the cab.

a member of my family lives in MD and told me to keep guns and ammunition in separate containers while driving through maryland because he has been instructed to do the same when he asked a law enforcement officer. to be on the safe side, i don't even have my magazines loaded.

[Cliff]

Maryland State Police link..

http://www.mdsp.org/downloads/Licensing_Faq.pdf

It's Maryland. It doesn't make sense. I consider it state supported slavery. It's one of the many reasons why I decided to just get out of there. Free state my ass.

[skt239]

I live in VA and travel to see my GF every other weekend on the MD-PA state line. Many of times I have had to stop, pull over and unarm myself, lest a patrol man should do it for me.

[allingeneral]

I live in VA and travel to see my GF every other weekend on the MD-PA state line. Many of times I have had to stop, pull over and unarm myself, lest a patrol man should do it for me.

But how do you drive without arms?!

[OakRidgeStars]

[POORBOY]

I live in VA and travel to see my GF every other weekend on the MD-PA state line. Many of times I have had to stop, pull over and unarm myself, lest a patrol man should do it for me.

But how do you drive without arms?!

that just tickeled me

[re8609]

I live in VA and travel to see my GF every other weekend on the MD-PA state line. Many of times I have had to stop, pull over and unarm myself, lest a patrol man should do it for me.

But how do you drive without arms?!

That there was funny, I don't care who you are.

[alby]

I was a Maryland resident before I got the hell out and moved to Virginia.

You can say that again. I was last living in Maryland in 1997 and haven't looked back since.

[burns]

I too got the heck out of Maryland and I'm glad I'm did. I have to say, the Virginia laws CCW laws are obviously better than Maryland, but I was dissapointed when I realized that restaurant carry (in any restaurant that has a liquor license) is prohibited in VA. I thought VA was an extremely gun friendly state so I was surprised.

ETA: What do you guys do when you stop at a restaurant, just lock it in the glove box or a lock box?

[OakRidgeStars]

ETA: What do you guys do when you stop at a restaurant, just lock it in the glove box or a lock box?

You can either lock it in the car, or do the "Virginia Tuck" to expose the gun in it's holster and open carry. OC is legal provided there are no signs at the door barring weapons.