Weapon Crimes Lawyer in La Plata, MD

One of your most important rights as an American is your right to bear arms. Although the Second Amendment is seen as somewhat controversial in some circles, it is not going away anytime soon. In Maryland, citizens have the ability to purchase, possess, and use weapons for a range of purposes, including hunting, home defense, and target shooting. However, these laws can be difficult to understand, and they are constantly changing. It is all too easy to break weapons laws accidentally. Ignorance is not a valid defense, and you will face the full weight of the law for firearms and weapons offenses in Maryland. Fortunately, you can defend yourself effectively by getting in touch with a qualified, experienced weapons lawyer in Maryland, such as Hennessy Law, LLC.

Which Weapons are Banned in Maryland?

One of the most common offenses in Maryland is owning certain semi-automatic rifles that are considered “assault rifles.” The term “assault rifle” is notoriously difficult to define with any degree of accuracy, and this leads to many legal issues for both regulators and gun owners. However, there are certain semi-automatic rifles that are illegal to own in Maryland:

• AK-47s
• Bushmaster semi-auto rifles
• Ruger Mini-14s with folding stocks
• FAMAS semi-auto
• HK-91
• SKS with detachable magazine
• Colt AR-15
• Dragunov Chinese-made semi-auto

There are many other weapons that may fall under Maryland’s definition of an illegal assault rifle. In addition, “copycat” versions of prohibited weapons are also illegal. In Maryland, a weapon is an “assault-style” firearm if it is semi-automatic, centerfire, and has a detachable magazine. In order to be defined as an assault weapon, the firearm must also have two or more specified features, including:

• Folding stocks
• Grenade launcher
• Flare launcher
• Flash suppressor

A second definition was also provided. Under this second definition, an assault rifle is semi-automatic, centerfire, and under 29 inches in total length or with a fixed magazine of over 10 rounds.

Pistols and shotguns may also be illegal in Maryland. A pistol is illegal if it is semi-automatic with a detachable magazine of more than 10 rounds. A shotgun is now illegal if it is semi-automatic with a folding stock or a revolving cylinder.

If you owned your weapon prior to 2013, it is likely that you will not face penalties for owning your “assault rifle.” In addition, you can inherit this type of weapon from a lawful possessor and not face legal consequences.

Note that Maryland’s assault weapon ban is continuously challenged in court, and this is yet another example of how gun laws are constantly changing in Maryland.

Non-Firearm Laws

In Maryland, you can carry a penknife openly or concealed. The definition of a penknife is a knife with a blade that folds into the handle. Almost all other types of knives – including dirk knives and bowie knives – are considered “dangerous weapons” and cannot be carried in a concealed manner. Other weapons are outright illegal to sell or display in any manner, such as:

• Switchblades
• Shooting knives
• Throwing stars

All knives are banned from Maryland schools.

Common Gun Offenses in Maryland

There are many common gun offenses in Maryland, including:

• Possessing a firearm as a felon
• Transporting a firearm illegally
• Using a handgun in the commission of a crime
• Armed robbery

Storage Laws

There are also a range of laws in Maryland that govern the storage of firearms. The main law has to do with keeping guns away from unsupervised children. According to these safe storage laws, gun owners cannot store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where a child can gain access to it. As a general rule, it is a good idea to store guns unloaded, although this can compromise your home defense system.

Antique Firearms

Antique firearms are exempt from certain state laws, and they are completely unregulated on the federal scale. Maryland defines these as having been built before 1899 and not being designed to fire fixed ammunition or ammunition that is currently manufactured in the United States (or commercially available). Note that modern replicas of antique firearms are also considered antiques.

Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Weapons Lawyer in La Plata?

If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced weapons lawyer in La Plata, look no further than Hennessy Law, LLC. Book a consultation at your earliest convenience, and you can get started with an effective defense strategy right away. Whether you have committed a minor infraction or a serious weapons offense, it always makes sense to defend yourself in the best possible way. Fight for your Second Amendment rights today and push back against needlessly excessive penalties.