Worcester County Gun Crimes Attorney

A Former MD State Trooper Fighting Aggressively for Your Rights

There are several types of gun-related offenses that can be charged as crimes in Maryland, including illegal carry without a permit, use of a gun during the commission of a crime, and possession by a felon. Attorney Julie M. Guyer has over 30 years of experience defending clients in the criminal justice system, and she also brings experience as a former MD state trooper. Few attorneys have her kind of background; you can trust that Attorney Guyer will defend you and protect your gun rights in Worcester County.

Instances of Unlawful Carry

There are a few instances where it is a crime in Maryland to carry a dangerous weapon or firearm. For one, it is illegal to carry a handgun without a legal handgun permit, either openly or concealed. The one exception is if the individual is carrying without a permit on their own property or business, or if they are law enforcement officials authorized to do so. 

The penalties for unpermitted handgun carry are 30 days to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of $250-$2,500. The penalties may increase for repeat violators or individuals carrying with the intent of injuring another. Note that certain individuals are prohibited from obtaining a handgun permit, such as minors under 18, alcoholics, and violent individuals.

Unless they are permitted to carry dangerous weapons (pepper mace, knives, switchblades, razors, stun guns) or carry the weapons as a reasonable precaution against perceived danger, individuals could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000. 

Illegal Possession of Banned Weapons

Note that there are certain types of weapons prohibited for any type of possession in Maryland:

• assault weapons (unless they are pistols legally purchased before June 1994 or long guns before October 2013)
• machine guns; and
• bombs, grenades, Molotov cocktails, poison gas, and other destructive devices.

Possessing the above in any capacity could result in penalties ranging from 3 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine for possession of an assault gun to a maximum of 25 years and/or a $250,000 fine for possession of a destructive device.