I lived in MD a lot of years ago, left, and swore I'd never come back. Well, life happens, and it's looking like I might come back after all. Career opportunities, and all. Trying to decide if it's worth it, and if it's worth it to live in MD rather than suck up a long commute from VA.
Piecing through the MD gun laws is an exercise in frustration - it seems almost like they're written to cause just enough confusion to create accidental felons. Possibly more complicated since I won't be a MD legal resident (military).
Anyone know a good resource for plain-language gun law summaries? And any advice on things to buy/stockpile before moving? Should I just store stuff out of state for the duration? I am a rule-follower in general, want to bring my guns but definitely don't want to flirt with felon status.
My current takeways (are these correct?):
1. Anything on the handgun list is legal as a handgun, braced or otherwise, with a short barrel, long barrel, any mag capacity, any configuration. Anything not explicitly on the handgun list cannot be owned as a handgun in MD, even if it is one everywhere else.
2. Any SBRs are ok but must be over 29" with the stock fully extended.
3. Any non-SBR long guns are fine as long as they're not explicitly listed on the banned list.
4. Any ARs owned pre-2013 are fine in any legal configuration.
5. Any mags (any capacity) can be brought into MD, just not necessarily bought there.
My confusion:
1. Is a post-2013 AR (a "copycat") OK if it is manufactured into an SBR and is over 29"? Not eager to NFA my stuff, but willing to.
2. Does an AR SBR still need a heavy barrel (is a short HBAR barrel even a thing?) or is it exempt from that because it is an SBR?
3. Can you still temporarily mount a 16" upper to a registered AR SBR as long as you still have the short upper?
4. Does a collapsible stock count as "folding?" (probably doesn't matter, since I don't own any grenade launchers)
5. Any restrictions on/issues with suppressors?
6. If braces get banned again, are MD PCC owners just screwed since they would become SBRs <29" in length?
7. Am I correct in thinking that no registration/fired shells/etc are needed for guns I already legally own and bring into MD? That all is just for new purchases?
Thank you, all!
Piecing through the MD gun laws is an exercise in frustration - it seems almost like they're written to cause just enough confusion to create accidental felons. Possibly more complicated since I won't be a MD legal resident (military).
Anyone know a good resource for plain-language gun law summaries? And any advice on things to buy/stockpile before moving? Should I just store stuff out of state for the duration? I am a rule-follower in general, want to bring my guns but definitely don't want to flirt with felon status.
My current takeways (are these correct?):
1. Anything on the handgun list is legal as a handgun, braced or otherwise, with a short barrel, long barrel, any mag capacity, any configuration. Anything not explicitly on the handgun list cannot be owned as a handgun in MD, even if it is one everywhere else.
2. Any SBRs are ok but must be over 29" with the stock fully extended.
3. Any non-SBR long guns are fine as long as they're not explicitly listed on the banned list.
4. Any ARs owned pre-2013 are fine in any legal configuration.
5. Any mags (any capacity) can be brought into MD, just not necessarily bought there.
My confusion:
1. Is a post-2013 AR (a "copycat") OK if it is manufactured into an SBR and is over 29"? Not eager to NFA my stuff, but willing to.
2. Does an AR SBR still need a heavy barrel (is a short HBAR barrel even a thing?) or is it exempt from that because it is an SBR?
3. Can you still temporarily mount a 16" upper to a registered AR SBR as long as you still have the short upper?
4. Does a collapsible stock count as "folding?" (probably doesn't matter, since I don't own any grenade launchers)
5. Any restrictions on/issues with suppressors?
6. If braces get banned again, are MD PCC owners just screwed since they would become SBRs <29" in length?
7. Am I correct in thinking that no registration/fired shells/etc are needed for guns I already legally own and bring into MD? That all is just for new purchases?
Thank you, all!