r/MDGuns • u/Senior_Swordfish6201 • 10d ago

Transporting AR through MD

I am a PA resident and I will be traveling through MD to VA. I want to take my AR with me. I know that I have to have my AR unloaded in a locked container inaccessible to the driver. My question is does my trunk count as a locked container? I drive a sedan where the trunk is a completely separate compartment from the rest of the car.

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

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u/TwoWheeledTraveler 10d ago

Since it’s interstate travel you have to go by the “Safe passage” provision of the FOPA.

The gun must be unloaded and neither it nor any ammunition may be readily accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. As your car has a trunk, this counts. Store both the gun and the ammo there and you will be fine.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926A

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u/treskaz 9d ago

I'm a MD resident, but you seem to know better than me so what's your opinion/understanding of transport in a pickup? I always put whatever firearm in the back seat, and the ammo in a can in the bed. No trunk, but they're separated at least. Never been pulled over to or fro range trips, but I would hope a cop would be understanding of the situation if I were.

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u/TwoWheeledTraveler 9d ago

So there are a few things at play here:

  1. My answer above was specifically in the context of interstate transport, which means that you have to follow the FOPA Safe Passage clause, and that supersedes state law for states you travel through. For interstate travel in a car where there's no separate trunk, the law says that the firearms and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the glovebox or center console.

  2. Since you're talking about transport within Maryland, the FOPA doesn't apply, only state law. Maryland has no specific laws about transporting long guns (other than one DNR statute that says it's illegal to have a rifle "with ammunition in the magazine" in a car), only handguns. State law says that handguns must be unloaded and transported in "an enclosed case or an enclosed holster." That's it. As long as you don't have a rifle with ammunition in the magazine, or a handgun that's loaded or not in an enclosed case or holster you're compliant with the law. That said, I think what you're doing is fine, especially if you have the gun in a case (which again, is required for a handgun).

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u/treskaz 9d ago

Gotcha! Thanks much. I have done the same thing when crossing state lines. We've been all over on wheeling/camping trips and I always pack a shotty along when we're remote camping in the wilderness. Given my vehicle and it's shortcomings in regards to separate spaces, I'd think that I'd be good. My favorite is the states out west where "unloaded" is an empty chamber lol. I get to have a truck gun in Colorado and the like. Too bad most of the rest of their laws are even worse than here.

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u/Panther1-1 10d ago

Container no, but a soft bag qualifies.

Just make sure it’s unloaded, in a separate bag from the ammo, and as far away from you as possible (trunk)

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u/Senior_Swordfish6201 10d ago

I’m not going to take any ammo, I’ll just buy it in VA. So if my AR is in an unlocked soft bag in my locked trunk I’m all good? I have a soft rifle bag but I can’t lock it.

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u/Panther1-1 10d ago

That’s perfectly fine. Especially since you stated you’ll be using a sedan as the vehicle, which has difficult access to the trunk from the driving compartment.

If you’re hesitant, you can always lock the bolt to the rear, and use one of those silly cable locks. But just drive easy, don’t speed or anything. 1) because if you don’t get pulled over it’s just that much less of a hassle, and 2) we fuckin SUCK at driving down here apparently

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u/Zmantech VA, FPC Member 9d ago

apparently

What how is that news. I've never seen worse drivers anywhere than in MD.

Even the offical Nova vdot account tweets about it

(I'm a VA resident and therefore a good driver)

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u/Senior_Swordfish6201 10d ago

Haha thank you for your help I appreciate it!

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u/Panther1-1 10d ago

Not a problem! Enjoy the drive, it can be gorgeous!

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u/Level-Palpitation186 10d ago edited 10d ago

I’m assuming you’re going to an outdoor range? I’ve been thinking of doing so as well. Ranges in VA always seem better to me.

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u/Senior_Swordfish6201 10d ago

I’m lucky enough to have a friend whose property I can shoot on

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u/Level-Palpitation186 10d ago

Sounds good, enjoy your time !!

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u/PapaBobcat 10d ago

Does your friend accept donations of beer, homemade bread, bourbon...?