I had a bit of a puzzle a few weeks ago. Everything worked in my favor so no harm no foul. I'd just like to check my understanding of the law and verify what I stated was correct.
I placed an order for some ammo on a website I have used successfully in the past. This time I received an automated message telling me that I could not receive ammo at that address because the village of bl bla bla had an ordinance prohibiting online ammo sales. I was fairly perplexed because I live nowhere near bla bla bla and we don't even share the same zip code. I called their Customer service and was told that the village of bla bla bla had an ordinance prohibiting online sales and a portion of that village was served by my zip code.
The village was near the DC line but nowhere near me, and certainly no sharing of zip codes. The CSR was polite and apologetic, stating that the company didn't want to be anywhere near a violation because their in-house counsel would be up against a government agency with unlimited resources and they could quickly be put out of business whether they were correct or not. I explained the geography of my location and it turnedout the website was only using the first 3 digits of the location zip code. He put in an internal ticket and I was able to complete my order a few days later. Product has since been delivered
I also explained that even if said village had a regulation prohibiting ammo deliveries, it would be unenforceable because Maryland preempts enforcement of all laws regarding firearms within jurisdiction subordinate the the state.
After I completed my conversation I realized I had never actually read the statute. Does state preemption of firearm laws extend to delivery of ammo?
I placed an order for some ammo on a website I have used successfully in the past. This time I received an automated message telling me that I could not receive ammo at that address because the village of bl bla bla had an ordinance prohibiting online ammo sales. I was fairly perplexed because I live nowhere near bla bla bla and we don't even share the same zip code. I called their Customer service and was told that the village of bla bla bla had an ordinance prohibiting online sales and a portion of that village was served by my zip code.
The village was near the DC line but nowhere near me, and certainly no sharing of zip codes. The CSR was polite and apologetic, stating that the company didn't want to be anywhere near a violation because their in-house counsel would be up against a government agency with unlimited resources and they could quickly be put out of business whether they were correct or not. I explained the geography of my location and it turnedout the website was only using the first 3 digits of the location zip code. He put in an internal ticket and I was able to complete my order a few days later. Product has since been delivered
I also explained that even if said village had a regulation prohibiting ammo deliveries, it would be unenforceable because Maryland preempts enforcement of all laws regarding firearms within jurisdiction subordinate the the state.
After I completed my conversation I realized I had never actually read the statute. Does state preemption of firearm laws extend to delivery of ammo?
