Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

We perform dealer exchanges (swap vehicles) for a local dealer. There are times we have to enter other states in the surrounding areas. Every state is friendly except Maryland.

According to handgunlaw.us I read it that

...neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment. In the case the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked compartment other than the glove compartment or console.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/maryland.pdf

My concern is in a P/U or SUV - I am considering a Nanavault NV300 for my pistol so I can carry and it would be portable (use in any vehicle). I want to be legal.

A small lock box or mini vault under the passenger or back seat should keep you legal in MD, just as long as it's out of reach of the driver.

You didn't think they were going to let you defend yourself, did you?

I was really asking to clarify if the ammo could be loose or sitting on the floor in the rear of the vehicle. The quote does say "...the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked compartment..." I assume the ammo could be in a magazine and be legal.

I lived in Maryland for many years before I was able to escape across the river... It always seemed to me that the intent of the law is pretty clear--that neither the firearm nor the ammo be accessible and that they be separated. Since I never drove a car with a trunk, that always meant 2 lockable containers--one for the ammo, one for the firearm. Or one larger locked container (e.g., lockable ammo box) with a smaller locked container (e.g., hard shell pistol case or small vault) inside it; i.e., either way, I had to go through 2 locks to get to both the ammo & firearm.

Seems like no matter what you do, the law is up for interpretation by a cop, a magistrate and a judge. So, if you want to do things in a way that may leave you open to prosecution, then that's your call. I think OldEagle's methods are probably the safest from a legal standpoint, even if it's above and beyond.

Or just don't ever get pulled over and it's no problem, right?

Thanks for the replies.

Take i-81 and pray for 12 miles

OldEagle's methods are probably the safest from a legal standpoint, even if it's above and beyond.

"Above & beyond"--from my perspective, of course you're right. The problem in MD, or NJ, or NY, etc is that my perspective and your perspective won't matter, and cost of getting it "wrong" is so high. I just view the extra lock as very cheap insurance, and even that is no guarantee--it's just extra fodder for a better legal argument if it ever comes down to that. I am very sad to say--and I mean that--that I have no confidence in "good faith" enforcement of anti-gun laws in many jurisdictions to our Northeast.

OldEagle wrote:

OldEagle's methods are probably the safest from a legal standpoint, even if it's above and beyond.

"Above & beyond"--from my perspective, of course you're right. The problem in MD, or NJ, or NY, etc is that my perspective and your perspective won't matter, and cost of getting it "wrong" is so high. I just view the extra lock as very cheap insurance, and even that is no guarantee--it's just extra fodder for a better legal argument if it ever comes down to that. I am very sad to say--and I mean that--that I have no confidence in "good faith" enforcement of anti-gun laws in many jurisdictions to our Northeast.

I absolutely agree with you, just didn't have time to properly illustrate your points in my post.

Again, I appreciate all the comments.

I just ordered 1 Nanovault NV300 combination from HomeDepot.com ($23.79 w/free shipping to our home) and had an old gift card with $17.27 remaining. Can't beat that. May order another for the money to avoid possible problems.

We are always in a vehicle with dealer plates so there is no association to our vehicles and my CWP for Virginia.