OldMick

Perhaps some of you Maryland residents can help. I'm just asking for your opinion, or perhaps some direction. I've gone to several sites on Maryland firearms laws, handgunlaws.us, the NRA website and I'm still not sure. - I'm traveling to Maryland shortly and I can carry concealed in every state from Ohio until I get to Maryland.

I'm willing to store the handgun, even field strip and lock it up - but it seems that's not an option for non-residents visiting Maryland based on the following language related to handgun transportation:

"It is unlawful for any person without a permit to wear or carry a handgun, openly or concealed, upon or about his person, or 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 resided, or within the confines of a business establishment owned or leased by him. [3]


Except…
(3) the carrying of a handgun on the person or in a vehicle while the person is transporting the handgun to or from the place of legal purchase or sale, or to or from a bona fide repair shop, or between bona fide residences of the person, or between the bona fide residence and place of business of the person, if the business is operated and owned substantially by the person if each handgun is unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or an enclosed holster."

Any comments, opinions, or suggestions to further define "bona fide"?

Pro2A

I would have been a Maryland member, but I moved out of that socialist gestapo state to a state that lets me defend myself I realized they weren't going to change any. All you Marylanders should just come across the border to PA or VA. Maryland was a great state until the liberal dems got a hold of it. Here is a nice resource for all you tragically stuck down there still.

http://www.marylandshallissue.org

Deacon51

Free legal advice here and worth what your paying for it....

If you bring a gun to Maryland, even cased and locked, your breaking the law. If you get caught with it you will be relying on the discretion of the officer/DA. If you use it... that discretion goes out the window. But don't fear, the drug dealers, gang bangers, and buglers never seem to get more that a few hours in jail when they get caught with a regulated firearm.

Welcome and enjoy your visit~

OldMick

Thanks, Deacon51 - that's the way I interpreted what law I could find. Maybe I'll change my plans and stop in Virginia.

Pro2A

I could have sworn MD at a bare minimum had peaceable journey laws where you can travel thru the state from one state that allows you to carry, to another state that allows you to carry. Provided its locked in your trunk, out of reach.

Deacon51

There is a Federal peaceable journey law, BUT if you stop in Maryland... for gas, food, a night in a hotel... your no longer traveling through Maryland, you are stopped in Maryland.

And that wasn't OldMicks question, he said he was coming to Maryland, so unless he is traveling to a range, his place of residence, or a gun smith he can not bring his weapon into the state without breaking the law. He also can not stop at any place other than the ones listed above. The only exception would be if he was a class 3 and intended to hold a private or public display of his weapon. He could then travel to the place where the weapon was to be displayed... still, no stops along the way.

And I'm not a lawyer, I have no training in legal matter, I'm just a Maryland gun owner that tries to keep up with MD laws in order to avoid any confrontation with law enforcement.

OldMick

Yup Deacon, you understood correctly. I'm riding to Maryland. I always print and carry a copy of state laws I'm traveling through, and to, as well as the Peaceable Journey law.

I was trying to hang my hat on a Maryland provision that says you can transport firearms from one bona fide residence to another. I know that a hotel is recognized as an extension of your home while you stay there, but the "bona fide" part spooks me. When I looked up the penalty I decided to pass on carrying for the weekend - something I rarely do.

Thanks to all for your help - and to be clear, I don't rely on it as legal advice, only additional opinions that I use to make my own decisions; I appreciate the input.