Marylander wants to know . . .

R

rmocarsky

New member
Gunners,

I had a neighbor who was a Maryland State Trooper and I asked him if it would be legal for me to have in my possession while in my yard a legally owned firearm.

He did not know the answer.

Does anyone here know if it is legal for a Maryland resident with a legally registered firearm to have it with him while on his outdoor property?

Rmocarsky
 
I don't live in MD but I can't imagine the laws being so restrictive that you can't be in your own yard with your gun on you.

It's illegal in Chicago though.
 
I'd be shocked if it is illegal to be in possession of a firearm on your own premises; however, if someone observes you with it and complains, there are any number of offenses that an officer, should he so desire, can charge you with - disturbing the peace comes to mind first and foremost.

My point is that there are very few places in Maryland where you are not likely to draw unfavorable attention by carrying a firearm openly, even if it is on your property (hunting aside).
 
Went to the Mayland law summery. Unfortunately no chapter and verse, but a copy from the law summery: (cut and paste)

"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"

If I was looking for myself I would search until I found chaper and verse in the law itself.

My own summery: just like the (will not) "may issue" state of NJ. If you are on your own property, or your own private business, you may do as you please. While on your own property, doing your own thing, I doubt you can be charged with any of the phony charges like "disturbing the peace". If what you are doing on your own property is legal, no-one can complain. OC or CC as desired.
 
It's illegal in Chicago though.
Click to expand...

Not to hijack, nor suggest doing anything illegal, however if you were concealing on your person on your own property, how would law enforcement ever know unless they were to enter your property and illegally search you? I'm curious.
 
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A lot depends on where you are, what you're doing, and the attitude of the cop who sees you. Say you live in Baltimore City, in a semi-detached home in, say, Hampden, in your backyard. A cop sees you with your .357 on your belt, what's he going to do? I'll bet you'll spend some time answering questions, and you might get to stay in your yard, but you'll probably get a ride over to Northern District.
Now say you live in northern Harford County, and you've got that same .357 on, and you're on your tractor mowing your 5 acres. If the sheriff or MSP sees you, he probably won't even slow down, much less give you a hard time.

The problem is, it isn't cut and dried. While it may be 100% legal, if the police want to charge you with something, they will. You may ultimately win in court, but it'll be a nuisance, and you'll be out some legal fees.

Remember the guy in Highlandtown a few years ago? The gunsmith? He had something like 150 guns, in various states of repair, and several thousand rounds of ammo. Nothing illegal. But they took them all, charged him with a bunch of BS crimes, and it was because he or his wife, I think, had some "racist literature".
 
Oh, yeah, and with very few exceptions, there is no "requirement to register" firearms. Buy 'em in MD, or bring 'em in when you move from another state, for most handguns and long guns, THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER.
 
TOMINCT

By ``legally registered'' I meant the paperwork filled out at the time of purchase in Maryland.


Actually the reason for my question is that I work nights and get home around 4:30 a.m. and enjoy sitting in my back yard at the picnic table with the solitude and peace of having the world to myself at that time of day.

But such being the case, if I were suddenly threatened, I would feel alot better if I were as capable of defending myself as is possible, and legal.

Rmocarsky
 
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