Shotgun In The Trunk - How Much Trouble Will I Get In To?

[Inigoes]

Can anyone cite the law that states that keeping an unloaded long-gun in the trunk of a car is illegal.

They can't, because there is none.

OP, also bear in mind any local ordinances. Baltimore, Rockville, and Leonardtown are the three cities in Maryland that have casing ordinances. while the penalties may not be heavy, you will still lose your gun.

 

[swinokur]

Here is a page from the MD DNR. Notice it only PROHIBITS loaded long guns IN or ON a vehicle. Therefore since an unloaded gun is not prohibited, it's legal. The rules come from the statute.

http://www.eregulations.com/maryland/hunting/general-hunting-regulations/
.

 

[GrimReaper]

Good to go in Baltimore city as well. Note the bolded parts

§ 59-1 Carrying long-barrel firearms.


(a) Carrying prohibited — in general.

(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to carry in any vehicles or about his person, except in his
place of abode, fixed place of business, target range, gun show, historic reenactment, or civic
event held on a National Monument or a Historic Shrine or parade for which a permit has
been obtained, any rifle, shotgun or other firearm the barrel of which is over 14 inches in
length.

(2)Provided that this subsection shall not apply to:

(i)marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies while in the performance
of their official duty;

(ii)policemen or other law enforcement officers;

(iii) members of the armed forces of the United States or of the National Guard or
organized reserves when on duty;

(iv) holders of special police commissions issued under Title 4, Subtitle 9, of Article 41
of the Maryland Code, while actually on duty on the property for which the
commission was issued or while traveling to or from such duty;

(v)uniformed security guards, special railway police, and watchmen who have been
cleared for such employment by the appropriate governmental agency, while in the
course of their employment or while traveling to or from the place of employment;

(vi) guards in the employ of a bank, savings and loan association, building and loan
association, or express or armored car agency, while in the course of their
employment or while traveling to or from the place of employment;

(vii) manufacture, transportation, or sale of weapons to persons authorized under law to
possess such under the laws of the United States;

(viii) transportation of firearms unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or rack designed
for that purpose;

(ix) antique firearms, meaning:

(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion
cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and

(B) any replica of any firearm described in subitem (A) if such replica:

1.is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional
centerfire fixed ammunition; or

2.uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no
longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily
available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

(b) Carrying prohibited — intent to commit crime.

It shall be unlawful for any person to carry in any about his person any rifle, shotgun, or other
firearms the barrel of which is over 14 inches in length with the intent to use the rifle, shotgun, or
other firearm in the commission of a crime against the person or property of another.

(c) Penalties.

Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed a misdemeanor, subject upon
conviction to a fine of not more than $500 or to imprisonment for not longer than 60 days or to
both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Court.

 

[RoboRay]

Never ask a cop what's legal... they are not required to know the laws, and most don't.

Look it up yourself if you don't want to pay an attorney. Most simple law questions are easy to find the relevant statutes for, in the Google age.

 

[traveller]

As for the OPs plan:

-moisture is going to be the enemy of any gun carried in the trunk. Unless you want to check/clean it on a weekly basis, pack it in a watertight sock with a desiccant pack
- keep the ammo separate, use hunting ammo, keep it in the box with the antlers or birds on it
- use a cheap field shotgun in case it gets stolen/confiscated

Remember to stay out of DC. Don't speed in school zones. Shut up. Don't consent to a search.

 

[winch]

Understand about corrosion. The pump is a cheapo RIA M5 with nickel finish. Looks like a marine finish.

If the ammo is in a side pocket of the case am I good??

 

[Inigoes]

Yep, as long as the ammo can not find its way into the chamber or tubular magazine

 

[traveller]

If the ammo is in a side pocket of the case am I good??

Legally: absolutely
Cosmetically: less so.

Keeping them completely separate doesn't limit you in any way and can reduce the chance of someone's heart rate going up when they find gun and ammo together.

 

[H&J Legacy]

It's legal if not loaded, meaning an empty chamber AND Magazine tube. But how would anyone know it's in the trunk?

keep your mouth closed. don't consent to a search

/thread

Got mixed responses. Not illegal but got lots on emphasis on the firearm not being loaded, both firearm and loaded mags must be inside their respective lockable hard case. One responded with a tip to include a 2A booklet or leaflet inside each lockable hard case.

 

[winch]

Yeah I get the "cosmetic" angle. Maybe better to totally separate gun and ammo.

 

[H&J Legacy]

Never ask a cop what's legal... they are not required to know the laws, and most don't.

Just an FYI that this mentality offends them.

 

[Inigoes]

Got mixed responses. Not illegal but got lots on emphasis on the firearm not being loaded, both firearm and loaded mags must be inside their respective lockable hard case. One responded with a tip to include a 2A booklet or leaflet inside each lockable hard case.

They are confusing interstate transport rules called FOPA. If the OP is planning on interstate travel, he will have to abide by that as well.

 

[winch]

Lockable cases is a new fly in the ointment. I wanted to avoid that if legal.

 

[Inigoes]

Lockable cases is a new fly in the ointment. I wanted to avoid that if legal.

The trunk satisfies the lock portion. Keeping the unloaded firearm and ammo separate is key.

 

[T-Man]

Got mixed responses. Not illegal but got lots on emphasis on the firearm not being loaded, both firearm and loaded mags must be inside their respective lockable hard case. One responded with a tip to include a 2A booklet or leaflet inside each lockable hard case.

I believe you are mixing up a couple of different concepts here -- handgun transport which requires an enclosed holster and the interstate rules for transport which requires lockable and separate ammo.

Someone can correct me, but I don't believe long gun requires a locked case or separate ammo, just not loaded.

 

[babalou]

RIA M5 nickel

Understand about corrosion. The pump is a cheapo RIA M5 with nickel finish. Looks like a marine finish.

If the ammo is in a side pocket of the case am I good??

I have the same one. Cheapo in price but I like it a lot. Got it off of galleryofguns.com and had it sent to United Gun Shop about a year ago.

 

[winch]

I had this M5 for a few years and never fired it. I'm gonna fix that ASAP. It looks and feels pretty smooth!! Hell, for $200 it feels like a deal.

 

[GTOGUNNER]

Here is all the answers you need.https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=112412

I think you will even find a PDF from the AG on the subject.

CARRY, its your right and not against the law.

EDIT.... This is the Thread I was looking for https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=135294

 

[H&J Legacy]

Here is all the answers you need.https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=112412

I think you will even find a PDF from the AG on the subject.

CARRY, its your right and not against the law.

I'm not able to access the link. It says I don't have permission. Is it a "For Your Eyes Only?"

 

[swinokur]

MD Statute 10-410C. It does not prohibit unloaded carry of a long gun.

The MD 4-203 statute applies to handguns.
.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/f...n=10-410&ext=html&session=2015RS&tab=subject5