MSP said:From: "Sgt. Jason Edwards (State Police)" <jason.edwards@maryland.gov>
Date: November 2, 2017 at 3:58:47 PM EDT
To: Me
Subject: Re: MD Designated Collector Application
As previously stated, the Designated Collector status is solely for individuals wishing to purchase more than one handgun in Maryland within a 30 day period. It is in no way related to exception set forth in Section 4-203(b)(5) of the Criminal Law Article. Section 4-203(b)(5) does not require that a person be designated as a collector by the Maryland State Police. In other words, an individual may transport handguns under the provisions of 4-203(b)(5) without having been designated as a collector by the Maryland State Police.
Sergeant Jason Edwards
Maryland State Police
Licensing Division
Firearms Registration Unit
Operations Supervisor
1111 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, Maryland 21208
Office: 410-653-4508
Fax: 410-653-4036
An e-mail on the subject of the DC letter and transport from MSP
None because no case law exists under the statute that would define what a “Bona Fide” collector is.
IANAL
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bona Fide would have to be established by precedent. Your lawyer argues why you should be considered Bona Fide, the court agrees or disagrees.
That is how EVERYTHING works- you make your argument, and you win or lose.
Your argument could be anything, such as:
== Holding a C&R FFL.
--- Being signed up on the Gunboards forum
--- Owning 3 Mosin Nagants
--- Belonging to the Glock Collectors Association
-- Being a Maryland Designated Collector
-- Having a box full of old Guns and Ammo Magazines
-- Your mother says you are a collector
--You wrote a book about collecting antique Kentucky rifles
-- You go to lots of gun shows.
-- You go shooting sometimes
-- You work as a museum curator, appraising and cataloging firearms.
-- You watch lots of gun videos on You Tube.
--- You have a high post count on MDS
Your argument could be ANYTHING!
That is how the law works!
There are no right or wrong answers, only arguments. Some arguments are better than others. Sometimes stupid, weak arguments win. Sometimes really good arguments fail.
If DC Status is your only argument when you get arrested for illegal handgun transport, you are going to wish you had a better argument.
Personally, I always drive with a Labrador Retriever, so I can claim I'm going to a dog obedience class. Works every time. (Cops love dogs.)
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I absolutely understand that, until this is addressed in court, the definition is not settled. I would, as a part of that discussion, refer to my now ten year old DC letter, and use it to make a points. This is the text of my DC letter:Yep. Until the argument is made and a court decides, there is no definition. It might work if arrested.
It might not.
NO, you are a "Designated Collector." Not the same thing as saying they recognize you as an actual collector.
You really want to go to court with that letter and one handgun in your "collection" and claim you are a bona fide collector (look up the definition of bona fide).
Your money and your life. Go for it.
Let's not over-state my argument. Also let's not turn two issues into one.It can be part of your argument, but why not add a few other things? A Federal Firearms License, 03 Collector of Curios and Relics is going to be worth 10, no, 100 of those stupid DC letters. Why not join the Glock Collector's Organization, or the Garand Collectors Association also?
If you claim to be a "Bona Fide Collector", and all you have is a ten year old letter, it's going to look weak.
Tell the court about your collecting activity. What is your area of collecting interest?
The defendant is charged with illegally transporting a 9mm Glock Model 19 semi automatic pistol equipped with high capacity assault clip bullet magazines. The defendant claims to be a Bona Fide Collector transporting part of his collection to a private exhibition. Please explain to the court what makes this particular Glock semi automatic pistol uniquely worthy of collector interest. Describe the nature of this "private exhibition." Is this an organized meeting of Bona Fide Collectors?
The State charges that the defendant is NOT a Bona Fide Collector, but rather a scofflaw, deliberately trying to game the system by attempting to manipulate an apparent loophole in the transport law. The defendant is thus exactly the person the law was written to address: a dangerous loose cannon with a misguided, twisted desire to routinely drive around with a deadly semi automatic handgun, for no other reason than to be prepared to deal with other drivers who may anger him.
Suppose your mother or your daughter were to anger this loose cannon, by driving too slowly, or failing to use a turn signal? Would he reach for his Glock to teach her a lesson?
What other reason does he have for illegally transporting this semi automatic high capacity military grade assault weapon? He has no excuse other than an obvious fabrication and a ten year old letter from the State Police.
Thank you for posting that!
When will people STOP spreading this dangerous delusion that DC Status provides special transport privileges?
And why the sudden flurry of people starting threads asking about DC Status?
First issue: I state that a letter from MD acknowledging my status as a collector contradicts their argument at trial that I am not a collector. Are those positions consistent, or inconsistent?
I think part of the argument will center of the difference between "Designated Collector" in the MSP letter and the term "Bona Fide Collector"in the statute.
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