Active Duty - Buying an M1A

Bart_man · Jan 18, 2017

Elaos said:
Hi there, active duty stationed in MD.
I've been interested in buying an M1A for some time and that time is coming up however looking into the MD gun laws it looks like I'm in for some disappointment.

Am I truly SOL regarding this particular weapon, regardless of variant or are there any exceptions for those that are from out of state but stationed in MD?
Would it be out of the question to purchase an M1A out of state and also store it out of state? If I were to go this route would it be illegal to pass through Maryland from one state (Virginia) to another (Pennsylvania)?

If I am screwed here are there any other semi-auto .308s that are legal here that I might also like?

Apologies if this thread is misplaced.

Welcome to the forum brother.

putneyswope said:
You are all forgetting that whatever base he is stationed at isn't legally Maryland. The base will fall within the Maryland borders but is U.S. Government Property. As long as he is stationed there and the gun stays in the armory or in base housing it's perfectly legal. As for the rifle I would purchase it next time you're at an out of state gun show or home on leave.

^^^^This.
Military bases adhere to the laws of the states that surround them. The gun store in the Exchange at Fort Meade will not sell weapons not legal in Marylandistan. He cannot import a post Oct 2013 (post FSA) into Maryland legally, and therefor the base would not allow it.

IF your legal state of residence is Tejas...you can purchase any M1A you like...you cannot bring it into or keep it in Marylandistan.

You can buy a Polytech in MD using a copy of your orders.

you can purchase an AR-10 aka M110 in MD and have your .308 military rifle.

I personally think an SBR M1A sounds stupid...but thats just me.

Those are your options...

Blacksmith101 · Jan 21, 2017

Hawkeye said:
"Fixed That For You." It's a sarcastic or humorous way to respond to somebody's post.

FIFY

DubTap21 · Jan 21, 2017

Makes absolutely no sense that we can own a SCAR 17S and not an M1A.

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Pinecone · Jan 21, 2017

DubTap21 said:
Makes absolutely no sense that we can own a SCAR 17S and not an M1A.

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Do NOT try to apply logic to MD firearms laws.

And remember, the start of the "list" was the in the late 80s, then it was Federal law under Clinton.

The list was created by a bunch of 20-something staffers looking through Gun Digest and picking the "scary looking" rifles.

The HBAR exemption was to "show" the public that they were not against "legitimate" uses of firearms, such as target shooting and hunting.

Biggfoot44 · Jan 21, 2017

Don't expect or look for logic, there is none.

Md laws are what they are, and just take them as they are written.

( Of course lobby your Delates and Senators, participate in thr various State and Natl 2A groups, and give to the MSI Legal Fund, generously, frequently, and today .)

Elaos · Jan 22, 2017

Applehd said:
I see you found the place... welcome to the forum.

Yep! Appreciate the tip

ARMatt said:
Pony up and get the SCAR. I know I'm trying to as soon as funds clear up

While it's crossed my mind, having never shot it and the initial price tag...not too keen on that right now. Plus then I have to be patient. I'd rather hold off on that for now.

mopar92 said:
https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=169567

Gain some knowledge. The AR is the better rifle. If you have a small dick and want .30 cal buy an AR-10.

It's not about "the better rifle", thanks though. I'm not looking for a home defense weapon, I'm looking for something I enjoy shooting and wouldn't mind tinkering with. However Maryland has really shot that down unless I want to go out of my way and keep it out of state...
So I'm not averse to an AR-10 or even AR-15, it's just not what I've been hoping to buy.

Thanks for all the help so far everyone. I feel like I'll never fully grasp the laws here.

good guy 176 · Jan 22, 2017

I don't own a M1A because I consider it a superior weapon. It's a very fine, sturdy weapon that packs a lethal punch. Ya can't mow down a 8" sapling with a M16, unless ya have all night.

I own one because I trained with the M14 in Ranger school in 1963 and because I wanted to own one of every weapon I ever trained with or carried in ROTC and thru 21 years of Army active duty.

Started collecting them rather late, age 62 in 2002, and have numerous Garands, M1 Carbines, 1911s and a S&W pistol .38 that duplicates what I toted while flying Beavers out of Nha Trang in '66-67. We always carried a M1 Carbine on a rear seat, too, and never had to use it.

Never had to use any weapon in self defense, fortunately, but was prepared to do so and still am.

Lew--Ranger63

Hawkeye · Jan 23, 2017

Elaos said:
However Maryland has really shot that down unless I want to go out of my way and keep it out of state...

Unfortunately, you can't even do that, thanks to our stupid ban. In order to buy a gun out of state, it has to be from an FFL, and in order to buy a gun from an FFL outside your state of residence, the purchase must be legal both in the state where it takes place and in the state of residence of the purchaser. IOW, you can't just go buy a banned rifle out of state and not bring it here.

woodline · Jan 23, 2017

Hawkeye said:
Unfortunately, you can't even do that, thanks to our stupid ban. In order to buy a gun out of state, it has to be from an FFL, and in order to buy a gun from an FFL outside your state of residence, the purchase must be legal both in the state where it takes place and in the state of residence of the purchaser. IOW, you can't just go buy a banned rifle out of state and not bring it here.

Howdy,

Not trying to speak for the OP, but I just ETSed and bought about 10 firearms while on active duty, so I have some familiarity with the subject. Most active duty military don't change residence every time they PCS. In fact, quite a few leave it as their home of record unless they PCS somewhere with advantageous laws or benefits. I'm assuming the OP did that, so assuming he visits his state of residence on occasion, he can buy whatever is legal there. Actually a friend of mine just did exactly that. Purchased an M1A in his state of residence and left it there with family.

Now if you do want to purchase firearms where you are stationed, it is simply a matter of bringing your out of state license, military ID, and a copy of your orders stationing you at X military installation within the borders of said state.

So the OP absolutely can do that assuming he is not a Maryland resident, but then would have to get rid of all the evil banned guns if he chose to permanently move to MD (assuming they were purchased post Oct 1, 2013).

Cheers,

Eric

Hawkeye · Jan 23, 2017

Oh yeah, I forgot the fact that he wasn't only a resident of Maryland.

OP, if the M1A is legal in your actual state of residence then yes, you could buy one and just not bring it here.

Pinecone · Jan 23, 2017

Hawkeye said:
Unfortunately, you can't even do that, thanks to our stupid ban. In order to buy a gun out of state, it has to be from an FFL, and in order to buy a gun from an FFL outside your state of residence, the purchase must be legal both in the state where it takes place and in the state of residence of the purchaser. IOW, you can't just go buy a banned rifle out of state and not bring it here.

He is active duty military. So he has TWO states of residence. His home state and MD.

If the M1A is legal in his home state, he can buy it outside MD, in a state where the M1A is also legal.

Hawkeye · Jan 23, 2017

Pinecone said:
He is active duty military. So he has TWO states of residence. His home state and MD.

If the M1A is legal in his home state, he can buy it outside MD, in a state where the M1A is also legal.

Did you read the rest of the posts in the thread?

Pinecone · Jan 24, 2017

Not when I answered your earlier post.

Active Duty - Buying an M1A

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