Approximately 20 years ago (perhaps longer), I legally purchased a handgun from a gun shop near Annapolis solely for home defense . I went thru the usual processes etc. but now I'm unable to find any paper work. I know what is said about "leaving sleeping dogs rest" but I'm contemplating transporting the gun (locked in a safe without ammunition etc.) to a second residence in PA. Naturally, any paperwork would come in handy should I be stopped by law enforcement etc. Anyone have any ideas how I might proceed with this matter.
Lost Handgun Registration Paperwork
- Thread starter WillyMart
- Start date
bofh
Banned
Well, gun laws make otherwise law abiding citizens accidental felons. They also condition law abiding citizens ask for permission first.
Why would you need any paperwork for any firearms you are transporting? Does your state have any law that requires you to keep such paperwork and show it on demand to an officer? I understand that Maryland has a registration requirement for certain firearms, including handguns, but does that registration requirement include you keeping a record? Under normal circumstances this would be nonsensical, as the state's registration database is the legal source of information and not a piece of paper the owner has, like a transaction record. However, you live in one of those nonsensical states, so figure out what your state's laws are. Ask a 2A lawyer in your state!
If there is no documentation requirement in the law, then you don't need any documentation. You have no duty to proof that you lawfully possess something. In contrast, the state has to proof that you unlawfully possess something. At least, that's what the Constitution says. Your state may not care much about that, so if an officer seizes your firearm because you can't proof it's yours, you file the firearm theft paperwork with the ATF. If you are unlucky and run into civil asset forfeiture, then you can't do anything about that. This is legal theft by the state.
My advice, transport the firearms you have. Don't speed! Make sure that your car is street legal (e.g., all lights work)! Don't drive aggressively. If you get chased by a MD law enforcement officer, drive across the border and stop there. Preferably at a public place with lots of witnesses. If you are getting stopped, do not consent to any search or seizure. Know your rights.
Alternatively, hope that a professional sports player beats his girlfriend unconscious, the DA lets him enter a Pretrial Intervention Program, and you get the same DA. That worked for Shaneen Allen in New Jersey.
Why would you need any paperwork for any firearms you are transporting? Does your state have any law that requires you to keep such paperwork and show it on demand to an officer? I understand that Maryland has a registration requirement for certain firearms, including handguns, but does that registration requirement include you keeping a record? Under normal circumstances this would be nonsensical, as the state's registration database is the legal source of information and not a piece of paper the owner has, like a transaction record. However, you live in one of those nonsensical states, so figure out what your state's laws are. Ask a 2A lawyer in your state!
If there is no documentation requirement in the law, then you don't need any documentation. You have no duty to proof that you lawfully possess something. In contrast, the state has to proof that you unlawfully possess something. At least, that's what the Constitution says. Your state may not care much about that, so if an officer seizes your firearm because you can't proof it's yours, you file the firearm theft paperwork with the ATF. If you are unlucky and run into civil asset forfeiture, then you can't do anything about that. This is legal theft by the state.
My advice, transport the firearms you have. Don't speed! Make sure that your car is street legal (e.g., all lights work)! Don't drive aggressively. If you get chased by a MD law enforcement officer, drive across the border and stop there. Preferably at a public place with lots of witnesses. If you are getting stopped, do not consent to any search or seizure. Know your rights.
Alternatively, hope that a professional sports player beats his girlfriend unconscious, the DA lets him enter a Pretrial Intervention Program, and you get the same DA. That worked for Shaneen Allen in New Jersey.
PhillySoldier
New member
I dont know about maryland where your coming from but in pennsylvania you do not need to prove ownership. I couldve gotten a firearm a number of different legal ways without ever having any paperwork
