Traveling Through Maryland - What To Do?

SSgt75

SSgt75

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I've got a trip to Pennsylvania coming up and have to drive through Maryland.
I know the Feds say it's OK to have a pistol as long as it's unloaded and locked in a container with the ammo in a separate container in your trunk (or otherwise inaccessible). But what about the types of ammo? I found the MD law where you CANNOT have anything over a 10 round magazine in your possession, but what about hollow point ammo? In NJ you go to prison for possession of hollow points outside of your home or the range.
I'm not planning on stopping in MD (or speeding or violating any laws for the short drive through that wonderful commie state), but I also saw on a MD website that they have license plate readers and will know if you have a CCW (CHP) in your home state which "might" give them reason to stop you. I don't remember now if it was MD, NJ or CN that stopped some guy and didn't believe he wasn't carrying when his FLORIDA plate said he had a FLORIDA CCW. Held him up on the side of the road for hours when he had left his gun at home for just such a reason.

Just wondering what the "experts" here on CFF know and recommend.
 
Yep, that is exactly correct about the local MD patrol units; don't get stopped. If you do, I'd have it unloaded entirely or in your luggage locked in the trunk.
I'm with what Catfish said, WV is much more scenic. Unless you're in extreme eastern MD, which is pretty.
 
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SSgt75 said:
don't remember now if it was MD, NJ or CN that stopped some guy and didn't believe he wasn't carrying when his FLORIDA plate said he had a FLORIDA CCW. Held him up on the side of the road for hours when he had left his gun at home for just such a reason.
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Rent a car? They're pretty cheap.
 
I wouldn’t be too concerned about it. Just make sure you read and follow all the laws. I drive every single day through Maryland and I have TX plates and a conceal carry permit. Never been stopped or had any issue so far.
 
I lived in MD for 18 years, and carried every day -- never had any trouble. ("Don't start nuttin, won't be nuttin.")

That said, I'd highly recommend the I-81 option if it makes sense. I place current-day MD in the same chum bucket as NJ, NY, MA, CA.
 
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I-81, cruise set on speed limit, both hands on the wheel and pray. Guns properly (Fed legally) stowed.

Stop in Winchester, VA for p (petrol) & p (potty) break, disarmament, refreshements.

I have not done the more westerly route into WV yet but, may try that next time to avoid the MD angst.
 
When I have to go through MD I typically make sure I don’t have to stop for any reason outside of an extreme emergency. Make sure I’m extra careful in my travels so not to draw attention to myself.
I put my gun in a locked box and stuff my hollow points up my ass. So if asked I can say that I’m transporting a weapon only, no ammo.


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Thanks for all the replies. Going to Philly for just under a week and it looks like the I-81 is the way to go. Am NOT going thru the DC mess.
 
spittinfire said:
When I have to go through MD I typically make sure I don’t have to stop for any reason outside of an extreme emergency. Make sure I’m extra careful in my travels so not to draw attention to myself.
I put my gun in a locked box and stuff my hollow points up my ass. So if asked I can say that I’m transporting a weapon only, no ammo.


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Ahh, the prison purse. Bold move.
 
Miss Lily said:
I-81, cruise set on speed limit, both hands on the wheel and pray. Guns properly (Fed legally) stowed.

Stop in Winchester, VA for p (petrol) & p (potty) break, disarmament, refreshements.

I have not done the more westerly route into WV yet but, may try that next time to avoid the MD angst.
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SSgt75 said:
Thanks for all the replies. Going to Philly for just under a week and it looks like the I-81 is the way to go. Am NOT going thru the DC mess.
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I-81 is your best route as you say to miss the DC and Baltimore snafu. As Ms L said store your EDC and anything more than a gentleman’s pocket knife secured in the trunk or wayback. Drive the speed limit and use turn signals to change lanes and such. That 12 mile stretch at peak times is patrolled both ways by multiple units so depending on what time you are making it thru there just be prepared as the storing things and just blend in as best as possible.

Oh yeah ... fill up in VA ... their gas is the least expensive!
 
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When my son was living up there, the only gun that I carried with me was my SCCY (10 round magazine). I did not unload it, just put it under the back deck in the SUV with luggage and dog cage on top of it. I did obey all traffic signs and you would have thought I was a driver's ed teacher.
 
So ... what if one flew a drone (carrying one's firearms/ammo) along/above one's car during the 12-mile dash?

  • isn't airspace under Federal jurisdiction, not the State?
  • certainly non-accessible, carried in a locked container.
  • I understand that drones can fly between 55-60 mph.

Obviously, I'm only asking, facestiously, for a friend.
 
Honestly I’d go locked box inside a plain suitcase and if totally afraid I’d carry fmj for the week. Obviously, don’t consent to a search.
 
SSgt75 said:
but I also saw on a MD website that they have license plate readers and will know if you have a CCW (CHP) in your home state which "might" give them reason to stop you...
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That’s some bullshite, right there!:mad:

If you are not violating any laws, the MFers should have no reason at all to stop you.

Damned redcoats.:mad:
 
SSgt75 said:
I'm not planning on stopping in MD (or speeding or violating any laws for the short drive through that wonderful commie state), but I also saw on a MD website that they have license plate readers and will know if you have a CCW (CHP) in your home state which "might" give them reason to stop you.
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Start looking for ways each day to live your life a little more rebellious to immoral and corrupt authority.

69335938_10216960448022049_1674820688893968384_o.jpg
 
When I went to DC, I rented a car with MA plates. ;)
 
When we head up to hunting camp in Frenchville, PA, I guess we're lucky because we spend about five minutes in MD. We head up US522 through Berkely Springs, WV, cross the Potomac, and cross the PA line on I70. That's five minutes I'd rather not spend in that sharthole of a state but it's the shortest road through it on the way we need to go.
 
SSgt75 said:
Thanks for all the replies. Going to Philly for just under a week and it looks like the I-81 is the way to go. Am NOT going thru the DC mess.
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From here 77 to 81 is really the only way to get to PA. I think I'd rather walk then go up 95. You're really only in MD for a few minutes but if you got stopped in that time it could be a huge headache.
 
bashman said:
When I used to go that way heading to PA, I would stick to the speed limit, use turn signals at every signal and lane change, and made sure I stopped for gas and food either before or after MD. Never had a problem, but didn’t look forward to the drive either.
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Same here. My butt was puckered for that 15ish mile strip.

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JimB said:
Honestly I’d go locked box inside a plain suitcase and if totally afraid I’d carry fmj for the week. Obviously, don’t consent to a search.
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This... And you can buy enough HP in PA for the stay. Don't bring them back. Money well spent IMO...

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We used to take a pilgrimage to Gettysburg every year. The most direct rout, which would probably get you to Philly a bit quicker too, was to take 95 all the way to Quantico, then get off on 619. That goes right past the Quantico national cemetery if you want to make a stop there. Follow 619 to Haymarket (it changes to 55 somewhere around Bristow) and catch 15 (same road as 15-501 here) all the way through to Gettyburg. From the time you get off I-95 until you reach Fredericksburg this is one of the prettiest drives you will ever take and avoids Mordor on the Potomac and the toll roads. Just be sure to get an early start so you are past Richmond before lunch and be sure to get well past Leesburg before 4:00 PM.

When you get to the border at Point of Rocks, Maryland requires lights on at all times and will pull you over if they aren't on, so don't give them that excuse. Oh yeah, just before you get to Point of Rocks there is a country store at the top of the hill on the right with excellent fried chicken. ;) At that point just lock whatever you are carrying in the trunk as others have said and don't give them an excuse. We have made the drive at least a dozen times and never had a problem. Once you get to Gettysburg take 30 all the way to I-76 into Philly. Another really scenic drive. You will go through Lancaster and York counties, so watch out for Amish buggies along the road:).
 
KnotRight said:
...and you would have thought I was a driver's ed teacher.
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So you moved over to the passenger seat, had a 15-year-old driving, and your route consisted of the gas station, bank, fast food restaurants, and whatever other errands you needed to run?

At least that’s how my week long class at Sears went ~1990. :D
 
Catfish said:
I recommend taking the scenic route through Morgantown WV and avoid treading on MD soil altogether. What part of PA you heading to?
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I moved from PA to NC traveling through Morgantown and through WV.

One location in WV that I stopped for gas, there were two guys that got out of the their pickup truck in the typical cowboy outfits with six shooters strapped to their side.
 
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