ML175
New member
imported post
First of all, greetings to everyone. I’ve visited the site many times over the past few years to bolster my understanding of the serious issues that face us law-abiding gun owners in America. More often than I’d like, I’ve heard some worrisome stories about the uphill battle we face in states such as Maryland with respect to firearms ownership. Well, I’m writing today to add to that list of stories. I’d greatly appreciate your input.
Recently I was visiting my fiancé in Montgomery County. It was very late when I started the hours-long drive home (I live out of state to the North). I was pulled over by Montgomery County PD on I-495 for a minor traffic violation by a rather young-looking officer who, after requesting the usual documentation, bluntly asked if I had any firearms in the vehicle. I CLEARLY informed him that I had a couple of pistols, unloaded, cased, and locked in the trunk, which were both licensed to me. I was able to describe them in perfect detail. He left with my documents and I figured he was perfectly satisfied and would return with my traffic ticket and let me go on my way. He was gone for an unusually long time.
Little did I know…
When he finally returned, it wasn’t to hand me a ticket, but to bluntly order me out of the vehicle. I got out and saw that several other MPD officers had been called in, all of them standing around me. As I was patted down, I asked Officer A if I’m being detained (yes). I asked why. Officer A asserted that because I “admitted” to having firearms in the vehicle, they’re going to conduct a search. I reiterated to him that the guns were legally mine and properly stored, and that I would not consent to any search. Further, I explained that since possessing firearms in this manner was not in itself indicative of illegal activity, they did not have probable cause to search me. Officer A mumbled a half-assed retort that had something to do with it being late at night and how they’re trying to catch people driving North through the state with CCW’s from Virginia who fail to follow MD’s own more stringent laws on carrying and transporting firearms. He then added with great emphasis and a threatening tone that my refusal to allow a search made him suspicious that I was hiding something. He threatened that he could arrest me on the spot based on that alone. I considered explaining that although I had nothing to hide, my right to privacy is nothing to shake a stick at, but this was no time for a political debate so I kept my mouth shut. I had to be at work the following morning and couldn’t afford to spend a night in jail.
So they searched my vehicle and found nothing out of the ordinary. When they got to the trunk, they told me to show them where the guns were. I complied, pointing out the locked case, and entered the combination when asked. The whole time I’m restating that I’m doing this under duress. They check the pistols right down to the chambers to see if maybe…just MAYBE…I screwed up and left a round in there. Nope. Mind you, I wasn’t born yesterday, folks. I’m accustomed enough to living in the Northeast that I carry my guns legit to the point of overkill. Even my ammo and range gear is always in a separate locked case.
They ran the serial numbers. Clean. Then they put my guns back, hammers still cocked (thanks a lot gents- don’t you know how to properly store a semiauto?). Plus, when I got home, I found the combination lock for my gun case carelessly thrown in another corner of the trunk- they didn’t even lock the case. God forbid I had been pulled over again in MD and found with guns in an unlocked case. Ultimately, after standing by the side of the highway in the freezing cold and with no coat for at least half an hour (the officers were in thick coats and watch caps while they watched me shiver my ass off) they left me with a traffic ticket and no apology for the totally unwarranted and unremarkable search.
First of all, greetings to everyone. I’ve visited the site many times over the past few years to bolster my understanding of the serious issues that face us law-abiding gun owners in America. More often than I’d like, I’ve heard some worrisome stories about the uphill battle we face in states such as Maryland with respect to firearms ownership. Well, I’m writing today to add to that list of stories. I’d greatly appreciate your input.
Recently I was visiting my fiancé in Montgomery County. It was very late when I started the hours-long drive home (I live out of state to the North). I was pulled over by Montgomery County PD on I-495 for a minor traffic violation by a rather young-looking officer who, after requesting the usual documentation, bluntly asked if I had any firearms in the vehicle. I CLEARLY informed him that I had a couple of pistols, unloaded, cased, and locked in the trunk, which were both licensed to me. I was able to describe them in perfect detail. He left with my documents and I figured he was perfectly satisfied and would return with my traffic ticket and let me go on my way. He was gone for an unusually long time.
Little did I know…
When he finally returned, it wasn’t to hand me a ticket, but to bluntly order me out of the vehicle. I got out and saw that several other MPD officers had been called in, all of them standing around me. As I was patted down, I asked Officer A if I’m being detained (yes). I asked why. Officer A asserted that because I “admitted” to having firearms in the vehicle, they’re going to conduct a search. I reiterated to him that the guns were legally mine and properly stored, and that I would not consent to any search. Further, I explained that since possessing firearms in this manner was not in itself indicative of illegal activity, they did not have probable cause to search me. Officer A mumbled a half-assed retort that had something to do with it being late at night and how they’re trying to catch people driving North through the state with CCW’s from Virginia who fail to follow MD’s own more stringent laws on carrying and transporting firearms. He then added with great emphasis and a threatening tone that my refusal to allow a search made him suspicious that I was hiding something. He threatened that he could arrest me on the spot based on that alone. I considered explaining that although I had nothing to hide, my right to privacy is nothing to shake a stick at, but this was no time for a political debate so I kept my mouth shut. I had to be at work the following morning and couldn’t afford to spend a night in jail.
So they searched my vehicle and found nothing out of the ordinary. When they got to the trunk, they told me to show them where the guns were. I complied, pointing out the locked case, and entered the combination when asked. The whole time I’m restating that I’m doing this under duress. They check the pistols right down to the chambers to see if maybe…just MAYBE…I screwed up and left a round in there. Nope. Mind you, I wasn’t born yesterday, folks. I’m accustomed enough to living in the Northeast that I carry my guns legit to the point of overkill. Even my ammo and range gear is always in a separate locked case.
They ran the serial numbers. Clean. Then they put my guns back, hammers still cocked (thanks a lot gents- don’t you know how to properly store a semiauto?). Plus, when I got home, I found the combination lock for my gun case carelessly thrown in another corner of the trunk- they didn’t even lock the case. God forbid I had been pulled over again in MD and found with guns in an unlocked case. Ultimately, after standing by the side of the highway in the freezing cold and with no coat for at least half an hour (the officers were in thick coats and watch caps while they watched me shiver my ass off) they left me with a traffic ticket and no apology for the totally unwarranted and unremarkable search.
