Newbie Range Transportation Question

[minux]

Good morning, all.

Just want to make sure everything is on the up and up for me this weekend.

I have two hand guns.

Both hand guns must be unloaded at all times. Both hand guns must be in a case.

Does the case have to be unlocked?

Both hand guns need to be in the trunk / bed?

Can ammo be kept in the same case as the guns? Can the magazines?

I am a little confused.

Thank you.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Are you inquiring Maryland Law , or Federal GOPA for interstate travel ?

Are you asking for * Legal Requirements * , or for recommendations?

 

[minux]

Maryland resident and firing range in Maryland.

Just want to know what I need to do.

Thank you.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Legal Requirements ‐

Unloaded ( magazine may be loaded and adjacent, just not inserted)

Encased. A holster with a strap is specifically included as Encased.

And ( without W&C ) be transported to/ from a listed approved destination, in this instance a shooting range .

And that's it .

************************

Cue up 10 pages of discussion of additional steps that are Wise & Prudent and/ or personally recommended.

( I'll throw out there myself; that it is usually Wise & Peudent to have the actual handguns out of direct immediate sight . Both for discretion, and protecting the guns from damage in transit ).

And an additional 10 pages of comments discussing * How Directly * the travel between home and shooting must be/ be wise to be unambiguously in compliance.

 

[minux]

Thank you! The way I am reading the law, seems like the hand guns do not need locked in the enclosed case?

 

[Biggfoot44]

No , for Maryland.

Certain scenarios of Federal law for interstate do .

Of course , you may make your own decisions if you wish additional security beyond legal minimum.

 

[minux]

Awesome, thank you.

Hypothetical question, I understand part of the law concerns not being able to "reach" the item in question. For folks who have pick-ups with tonneau covers or caps, what do they do?

 

[Biggfoot44]

Just so we're clear , Maryland or Federal foe interstate ?

 

[minux]

Just so we're clear , Maryland or Federal foe interstate ?

Just Maryland, just say, someone is heading to the range, and does not have HGP / Wear & Carry permit.

 

[paperwork351]

Perhaps someone could update federal roadways such as GW and BW Parkways. This would be the U.S. Park Police jurdisdiction. I don't know the current laws.

 

[Biggfoot44]

If the destination is one of the approved locations , the statute only says

" Unloaded and Encased "
Out of reach not mentioned

Check for yourself 4-203 (3) thru (4) has the same language for carry mode .

A holster with a strap , sitting on the seat next to you is * Legal * .

If you were to decide for yourself that a greater degree of discretion and security were Wise & Prudent , I would not try to dissuade you . But that's a different and very long discussion.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Perhaps someone could update federal roadways such as GW and BW Parkways. This would be the U.S. Park Police jurdisction. I don't know the current laws.

Lands administered by National Park Service ( and US Forest Service) default to the same carry laws as the surrounding State . ( Notwithstanding specific Federal rules for government buildings, localized rules for specific recreation facility , etc .)

But 8n general BW Pkwy follows Maryland law , and GW Pkwy follows VA law , except for the couple hundred yards by Teddy Roosevelt Island that pass through DC ( DC law there) .

 

[DanGuy48]

Lands administered by National Park Service ( and US Forest Service) default to the same carry laws as the surrounding State . ( Notwithstanding specific Federal rules for government buildings, localized rules for specific recreation facility , etc .)

But 8n general BW Pkwy follows Maryland law , and GW Pkwy follows VA law , except for the couple hundred yards by Teddy Roosevelt Island that pass through DC ( DC law there) .

All of which is clearly marked with laser lines and explanatory illuminated signs, just for our benefit.

 

[Threeband]

A brown paper bag counts as "encased."

You can hold it in your lap if you want to.

You may also make detours and stops while going to and from the range.

 

[Mark75H]

A brown paper bag counts as "encased."

You can hold it in your lap if you want to.

You may also make detours and stops while going to and from the range.

Are you going to be the test case for this?

 

[Biggfoot44]

#1 - Holster with a strap is specifically called out as OK in case law , and I'm not presently attempting to define the outer limits of " encased " .

#2 - Holds down the position in the gun related crazy/ hot matrix of be definitely Legal , while simultaneously the opposite of Wise .

#3 - 10% on one end is unambiguously blatantly Legal , 10% is blatantly obviously nowhere near plausibly compliant . ( Think going from home in Annapolis to Delmarva Sporting on ES , by way of closing down the bar in Deep Creek )

Where boundaries fall inbetween those extremes is ...... Ambiguous .

In a different context , I might offer sugguestions , but this thread is initially trying to keep to actual law .

 

[Threeband]

Are you going to be the test case for this?

For what?

What do you think I posted which could lead to prosecution?

 

[Biggfoot44]

I shouldn't go there , but ..

The brown paper bag part .

In Md case law , and as a common factor in other states , it is expected to have a positive means of closure , that requires a separate action to access the gun . A snap , zipper , buckle , tied thongs, etc . A common paper bag , with rolled or folded top by itself, not so much .

 

[RFBfromDE]

For what?

What do you think I posted which could lead to prosecution?

You said brown paper bag.

You probably meant to say white paper bag.

 

[jmiller320]

I just put the pistols in a case or carry bag and the ammunition in another. I put them in the back seat of my truck and not in the bed where someone can grab them at a stop light.