Marylander wants to know . . .

rmocarsky · November 16, 2011, 09:28 PM

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

Davey · November 16, 2011, 10:07 PM

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.

CowTowner · November 16, 2011, 10:08 PM

Here's a possible starting point for your search:
http://www.handgunlaw.us/

csmsss · November 16, 2011, 10:18 PM

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).

hermannr · November 16, 2011, 11:55 PM

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.

Stressfire · November 17, 2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

It's illegal in Chicago though.

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.

tominct · November 17, 2011, 07:44 PM

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".

tominct · November 17, 2011, 07:46 PM

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.

rmocarsky · November 17, 2011, 08:42 PM

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

November 16, 2011, 09:28 PM	#1
rmocarsky Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 406	Marylander wants to know . . . 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

November 16, 2011, 10:08 PM	#3
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	Here's a possible starting point for your search: http://www.handgunlaw.us/ __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

November 16, 2011, 10:07 PM	#2
Davey Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2010 Location: Not far enough from Chicago Posts: 394	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.

November 16, 2011, 10:18 PM	#4
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	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).

November 16, 2011, 11:55 PM	#5
hermannr Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 730	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.

November 17, 2011, 07:44 PM	#7
tominct Member Join Date: November 27, 2010 Posts: 36	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".

November 17, 2011, 07:46 PM	#8
tominct Member Join Date: November 27, 2010 Posts: 36	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.

November 17, 2011, 08:42 PM	#9
rmocarsky Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Posts: 406	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