Md is aggressively restrictive on this. Md law prohibits firearm ownership as well as possession by persons convicted of many different crimes. Therefore, the answer for you - the law-abiding firearms owner with no convictions - is a hard NO. The punishment by the State of Maryland would not...
Definitely not introduced or wanted by government officials in any of the eastern states. Most night hunting regulations are adopted for human safety and not as a method of protecting a particular species. Coyotes have progressed across the country over several decades expanding their territory...
MD snakes
I agree that it is a garter snake. DNR has a great page with photos:
http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/herps/Fieldguide_OrderSquamata.aspx
It also distinguishes the poisonous snakes. The copperhead is the one found on the Shore...