Maryland gun laws are strict and confusing. An improperly stowed gun in your vehicle can lead to a criminal charge. Even with the proper HQL and wear-and-carry permit, you may be restricted on where and when your gun can be in your vehicle and how to transport it.
At Saller, Ernstberger, & McElroy, our firearms defense lawyers see these types of cases frequently, helping Maryland citizens navigate the complexities of vehicle transport for firearms and defending them when charged with having a gun in their vehicle.
Avoid the fine and find out how to properly transport a firearm in Maryland. We cover everything you need to know to meet the legal requirements for firearm transport in Maryland.
Disclaimer: articles on sallerlaw.com are not intended as legal advice and should not be taken as such, please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation.
Transporting a Gun in Your Vehicle in Maryland
Maryland citizens without a handgun carry license or wear-and-carry permit (also known as a concealed carry permit) must be knowledgeable of the firearm transportation laws in Maryland and how these affect them. You do not have the right to open carry in Maryland, and this greatly affects transporting a firearm, even from a hunting trip or target practice.
You are restricted to how a handgun must be stowed, where to store your ammunition for any firearm, and when you may or may not have a gun in your vehicle. You must know your rights and how to transport your firearm in your vehicle in the state of Maryland to avoid penalties, fines, criminal charges, and jail time.
At a Glance: Guns in Vehicles in Maryland
- The firearm must not be readily accessible
- The firearm must not be loaded
- The ammo must be stored and locked separately
- A handgun must be properly stored in a case or holster not on the person, preferably locked
- A firearm is not permitted to be kept in the backseat, glovebox, or center console
When You Cannot Have a Gun in Your Vehicle in Maryland
You may not have a firearm in your vehicle in Maryland “just because” – you must be transporting the firearm from a shooting range, place of repair or purchase, or hunting trip.
Even if your firearm is stowed correctly, you may face charges for having a gun unlawfully in your vehicle. If this occurs, you will want the assistance of a firearm attorney in Maryland.
Persons with a wear and carry permit or permit for transportation of firearms may be exempt. Consult a firearms attorney if you are unsure about your legal rights under Maryland law, considering your specific qualifications, licenses, certifications, or clearance.
Legally Transporting a Firearm in Maryland: To and From
- Target practice
- Sporting event
- Hunting
- Place of repair
- Place of purchase
- Firearm safety training (or related)
If you cannot prove you are transporting a firearm to or from an approved place under Maryland law, you could face charges and fines. Do not have your firearm in your vehicle at the grocery store after a hunting trip, for example, as you can still face charges.
Firearms are not to be in a vehicle on a state highway, waterway, airway, or road or parking lot generally used by the public. A person convicted of a felony can never transport a firearm under any circumstances. If the firearm is loaded and in the vehicle, then you could be charged with a crime.
Transporting a Handgun in Your Vehicle in Maryland
To legally transport a handgun in your vehicle in Maryland, the handgun must not be accessible to any person. Ammo and the handgun must be stowed separately and the handgun must not be loaded. The handgun should be locked and preferably be in the trunk or the back of a hatchback.
To legally transport a handgun to or from a location mentioned above, you must:
- Unload the handgun
- Secure the handgun in an enclosed case or holster
- Stow the ammo in a separate location from the handgun
Transporting Shotguns and Rifles in Your Vehicle in Maryland
- You may not transport or stow a loaded shotgun in your vehicle
- You may not transport or stow a rifle with any ammo in the magazine or chamber in your vehicle
- These apply to being in or on any vehicle in Maryland
Charges for Unlawfully Transporting a Gun in a Car in Maryland
Unlawfully transporting a firearm in Maryland has a mandatory minimum sentence. Those found guilty may face a minimum of 30 days in jail and up to 3 years incarceration. The fine is $2,500.
Penalties for unlawfully transporting a gun in Maryland may be more severe if the gun is loaded or the charged person(s) have a criminal history, felony conviction, or any other records.
How You May End Up Needing a Firearm Attorney in Maryland
Maryland gun laws are not always black and white. Even those with clearance may find themselves on the wrong side of the law when transporting a firearm. You always want to contact an experienced firearms attorney ASAP if you are being charged with a gun-related crime.
Example Cases:
- On the way back from target practice, your handgun is stowed in your vehicle in a grocery store parking lot
- You have your wear-and-carry permit, but visit a family member on a college campus, leaving your handgun in your vehicle on school property
- The ammo is locked in the same container as your firearm
- You removed the magazine from your rifle, but there is still ammo in the chamber
- Your handgun was locked in the glovebox or center console
- The firearm was stowed under the backseat or passenger seat, accessible to the driver
- You are visiting from out of state, and your concealed carry permit does not apply in Maryland and you have your handgun on your person or in the vehicle
- You forgot your firearm after a hunting trip and commuted to work or ran errands the following day
- The firearm was properly stowed but not locked, and therefore considered accessible
Contact Saller, Ernstberger, & McElroy for Firearm Defense in Maryland
Can you have a gun in your car in Maryland? It’s complicated.
Stop being confused and get facts related to your case if you’ve been charged with a gun crime for having a firearm in your vehicle in Maryland. We will look at the evidence, charges, criminal history, and more to help defend your Second Amendment Rights in Maryland.
We’re experienced, we’re knowledgeable, and we’ll fight for you. We’re not just defense lawyers, we’re advocates for gun rights.
