Firearms Ownership and Usage In Maryland: What Does the Law Say?

Firearms Ownership and Usage In Maryland: What Does the Law Say?

As crime rates continue to increase across the United States and specifically in places like Maryland, something needs to be done. Security agencies need to beef up their activities with recourse to the law. Considering how important laws are regarding criminal weapons, staying informed is key.

As a resident of Maryland, you want to ensure you are on the right side of the law at all times. A good way to go about that will be to understand what qualifies as a criminal weapon. “It is vital to know what the law says about possession of criminal weapons to ensure you remain on the good side of the law,” says criminal lawyer Seth Okin.

In this guide, we provide an overview of criminal weapons law in Maryland, examining its different aspects, including who is qualified to carry or not carry a gun.

Who Is Permitted to Carry a Firearm Under the Gun Protection Laws of Maryland?

Gun laws are generally designed to regulate the use of firearms and guarantee the safety of the public. To this end, the laws always try to define who can legally carry a firearm. Under Maryland laws, anyone who is a member of the police force or military member is allowed to carry a firearm. However, such firearms are expected to be documented and unloaded.

Furthermore, for anyone outside the police or military to carry a firearm, they must obtain a permit. An important requirement for getting such a permit is showing your eligibility by fulfilling certain requirements, like age, and stating the purpose for which it is needed.

When granted a permit to carry a gun, you just ensure that the gun remains in an enclosed holster when not in use. Also, the law makes the transportation of firearms in an educational institution with the intent to harm.

Who Is Disqualified from Owning or Carrying a Firearm In Maryland?

The first and an important disqualifying factor in the possession of firearms is age. Under Maryland laws, anyone under the age of 21 is disqualified from owning or carrying firearms, regardless of whether such a person owns or carries a regulated firearm.

Also, a person who is deemed to be in a poor mental state or suffering from a mental disorder is disqualified from carrying a firearm. The reason for this is clear as it is believed that such a person in that state has a higher tendency to act irrationally and threaten the safety of others. When a person with any mental disorder is found with a firearm, such person can be charged with a disqualifying crime, which comes with a jail term of a minimum of two years.

When anyone falls into the category of those disqualified from carrying a firearm, they are deemed to be carrying criminal weapons when caught. If convicted, they may never qualify to own or carry a firearm at any other time.

How Does Maryland Respond to Gun Crimes?

The instrumentality of the law is one key way Maryland addresses the issue of gun violence. The law provides for gun crimes and defines it as the illegal possession, use, sale, and, in some instances, transportation of firearms. It is not enough for a firearm to be registered; the holder must have a permit, or else they would be deemed as committing a gun crime.

To address issues around gun crimes and the distribution of assault weapons, the law provides different legal consequences, from lighter options like fines to more severe ones like lengthy jail times.

Conclusion

While the law continues to regulate the ownership and use of firearms, it is clear that it also ensures those who are found culpable are punished. A good way to avoid this is to ensure that you have the necessary permits needed to own and use a gun. Also, you should ensure that the firearm you are carrying is a registered one. If you are confused about how to handle any of these, you can speak to an attorney to guide you.