MD & VA Gun laws

K

KChen986

New member
I just moved in to Baltimore Maryland, from Florida. Going to be attending law school in about a month. I was planning on shipping up my firearms through a FFL, just to be on the safe side, but the first FFL I contacted stated that one of my weapons, an AK47 was "not allowed." However the second FFL I contacted told me contrary, that since it was already registered to me, posession would be no problem.

It seems like the AK series rifles are "restricted" in MD and one would need a permit to purchase?

Further, does one know how to purchase a handgun in MD? I came across the MD state police site and it talked about a necessary completion of a web class and "other requirements" (unstated).

Finally, would it be legal for me to purchase a gun from VA, then bring it in to MD to keep with me? I've been around firearms all my life, and although i'm not above it, taking another course in MD would be a hassle.

I realize the violation of a gun law may jeapordize my career, so I'm doing all I can to avoid it.

I also already checked google and read up on basic gun laws (ie. the sale of magazines above 20rds is not permitted, but posession is not prohibited).

Any insights would be appreciated!
 
but the first FFL I contacted stated that one of my weapons, an AK47 was "not allowed."
Click to expand...

I'm not really up on MD firearms laws, but I can tell you my friend bought two AK's and a FAL in MD from a local store. I do know you can't BUY a mag more than 20 rounds in MD, but you can buy one elsewhere (VA, PA) and bring it in to the state.

As for the handgun, I seem to remember he just had to sit and watch a safety video before buying it.

Just please PLEASE be careful transporting firearms in the state. IIRC the ammo has to be separate from the gun and both have to be out of reach. There's also some silly deal that you have to be going to/from a range with no stops on the way or somesuch.

It's not completely bleak though. I went to a range up there where class III weapons were being used, so not all is lost.
 
I would strongly consider driving with them.
It does not take a lot of FFL fees to pay for a few tanks of gas (and even a hotel room).
 
You may be able to have them shipped to yourself without involving a FFL because there is no change in ownership. Check into it though. Always rely on an authoritative source in writing.
 
While you can ship gun to yourself, finding a common carrier that allows it for handguns can be a problem.
The common carriers have their own internal policies.

For long guns they can be sent USPS to yourself.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7
(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?[Back]

A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]

(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? [Back]

A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

(B9) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity? [Back]

Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.
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There you go. You plan on participating in target shooting, hunting, or whatever activity legal under Maryland law. Have them shipped to yourself in care of a friend in MD or some place within short driving distance. Just make sure what you are having shipped is legal to have in MD.

I'm not a lawyer. I'm only saying what I would do in the same situation.
 
MD has a list of "recordable firearms" IF your firearm is on that list then to recieve it from a transfer you will need to watch the same video as you would for a handgun. Once you've got the paperwork from that (done on-the-spot instantly) then you can apply for the "recordable firearm" to be transferred to you, after being "Non-dis-approved" by the local pd. Then you have the waiting period, again the same as a pistol.
Once that's all done you can recieve the firearm.

It is illegal to "transfer", or "import for commercial purposes", any magazine with a capacity of more than 20 rounds.

That is a very carefully worded version (simplified for the non lawyers among us) of the laws concerning that list of firearms.
The list, and the paperwork are based on the assumption that if you should ever remove the barrel from the reciever then it's length on the reciever would be less than that needed for a minimum on a rifle, so it is temporarily a pistol, legally speaking.

The list is pretty convoluted, for example AR15 is a "recordable firearm", but a Colt match sporter HB is not,because it's a "sporting firearm" it says so in the name.

Hey don't blame me I didn't write these rules:rolleyes: I just have to live with them.
 
Thanks for all the responses, very helpful. I ended up driving up with the firearms to avoid any legal hullaboos, but still am curious about purchase laws. If anyone knows more about the laws it's definitely appreciated!
 
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