It shall be unlawful for any person to carry in any vehicles or about his person, except in his place of abode, fixed place of business, target range, gun show, historic reenactment, or civic event held on a National Monument or a Historic Shrine or parade for which a permit has been obtained, any rifle, shotgun or other firearm the barrel of which is over 14 inches in length.
Provided that this subsection shall not apply to:marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies while in the performance of their official duty;
policemen or other law enforcement officers;
members of the armed forces of the United States or of the National Guard or organized reserves when on duty;
holders of special police commissions issued under <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="41">Title 4, Subtitle 9, of Article 41 of the Maryland Code</cite>, while actually on duty on the property for which the commission was issued or while traveling to or from such duty;
uniformed security guards, special railway police, and watchmen who have been cleared for such employment by the appropriate governmental agency, while in the course of their employment or while traveling to or from the place of employment;
guards in the employ of a bank, savings and loan association, building and loan association, or express or armored car agency, while in the course of their employment or while traveling to or from the place of employment;
manufacture, transportation, or sale of weapons to persons authorized under law to possess such under the laws of the United States;
transportation of firearms unloaded and carried in an enclosed case or rack designed for that purpose;
antique firearms, meaning:any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and
any replica of any firearm described in subitem (A) if such replica:is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition; or
uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
It shall be unlawful for any person to carry in any about his person any rifle, shotgun, or other firearms the barrel of which is over 14 inches in length with the intent to use the rifle, shotgun, or other firearm in the commission of a crime against the person or property of another.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed a misdemeanor, subject upon conviction to a fine of not more than $500 or to imprisonment for not longer than 60 days or to both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Court.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §97
Ord. 80-154
Ord. 81-215
If any person shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol, or firearm within the City, unless it be on some occasion of military parade, and then by order of some officer having the command, every such person for every such offense shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, pay a fine not to exceed $1,000, or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 1 year, or both.
If any gun, pistol, or firearm shall be discharged from on board any vessel within the harbor of Baltimore, the captain of the vessel, as well as the offender, shall be liable to the said penalty.
Nothing in this section shall be held to apply to or prohibit the discharge or firing of any such firearms on permanently located, properly posted and bona fide target ranges, the location of which has been fled with the Police Department of Baltimore City.
City Code, 1879, art. 47, §112
1893, art. 48, §129
1927, art. 32, §41
1950, art. 24, §58
1966, art. 19, §96
1976/83, art. 19, §112
Rev. Ords. 1858-033
Ord. 19-001
Ord. 37-549
Ord. 56-423
Ord. 87-922
In this section, “handgun” means a firearm, as defined in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gps|5-101">State Public Safety Article § 5-101(h), </cite>the barrel of which is 14 inches or under in length.
A person may not:wear, carry, or knowingly transport a handgun, whether concealed or open, on or about the person within 100 yards of, or in, a:park;
church;
school;
public building; or
other place of public assembly;
wear, carry, or knowingly transport a handgun, whether concealed or open, in a vehicle traveling on a road within 100 yards of a:park;
church;
school;
public building; or
other place of public assembly; or
wear, carry, or knowingly transport a handgun in connection with the commission of a crime against a person or property, within 100 yards of, or in, a:park;
church;
school;
public building; or
other place of public assembly.
The finder of fact may infer that a person who transports a handgun in violation of this section transports the handgun knowingly.
This section does not prohibit the wearing, carrying, or transporting of a handgun by a person covered by an exception in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gcr|4-203">State Criminal Law Article § 4-203(b)</cite>.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the following penalties for each offense:if the handgun was worn, carried, or transported in connection with the commission of a crime against a person or property, mandatory imprisonment for 1 year and a mandatory fine of $1,000;
if the person has a previous conviction for a violation of this section or <em>{of} </em><cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gcr|4-203">State Criminal Law Article § 4-203 </cite>{“Wearing, carrying, or transporting handgun”}, mandatory imprisonment for 1 year and a mandatory fine of $1,000; or
if neither item (i) nor item (ii) of this paragraph apply, a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not longer than 12 months or both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Court.
The court may not impose less than, or suspend any part of, any mandatory sentence provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
A person who violates this section is not eligible for a probation before judgment.
A person who violates this section is not eligible for parole.
Each violation of this section is a separate offense.
Ord. 17-064
Ord. 19-332
Ord. 22-125
In <em>general</em>.
In this Part, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
“Ammunition” means any cartridge, shell, or other device that contains explosive or incendiary material and is designed or intended for use in any firearm.
“Child safety lock” means:a device that, when locked in place, prevents the trigger from being moved and can itself be removed only by using a key or combination; or
any other device that:when locked in place, otherwise renders the firearm inoperable and can itself be removed only by using a key or combination; and
has been approved for this purpose by the Police Commissioner.
“Firearm” means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, or other firearm, except an inoperable antique firearm.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(a)
Ord. 91-720
Ord. 98-243
Ord. 14-307
Ord. 22-125
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not leave a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm that is in close proximity to ammunition, in any location where the person knows or reasonably should know that an unsupervised minor might gain access to the firearm.
Subsection (a) of this section does not apply if:the minor’s access to the firearm is supervised by a person 21 years old or older;
the firearm is in a locked gun cabinet or similar locked location;
the firearm is secured with a child safety lock;
the minor obtained access to the firearm as the result of an unlawful entry to the premises; or
the firearm is in the possession or control of a law enforcement officer while the officer is engaged in official duties.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(b)
Ord. 91-720
Ord. 98-243
A licensed firearm dealer may not sell, lease, or otherwise transfer a firearm without an accompanying child safety lock suitable for that firearm.
The dealer must provide the child safety lock to the recipient of the firearm when transferring the firearm. The dealer may charge for the child safety lock.
A licensed firearm dealer who sells, leases, or otherwise transfers a firearm must post conspicuously in the dealer’s place of business:a notice of the prohibition in <cite data-path="|19|§59-12">§ 59-12 of this Part</cite> against leaving a firearm where an unsupervised minor can obtain access to it; and
a notice of the prohibition in subsection (a) of this section against the transfer of a firearm without an accompanying child safety lock.
If the transaction occurs outside the dealer’s place of business, or if the dealer does not maintain a place of business in a commercial establishment, the dealer must provide the required notices in writing when transferring the firearm.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(c), (d)
Ord. 91-720
Ord. 98-243
The Police Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations to carry out this Part, including but not limited to rules or regulations governing the wording, size, and placement of the notices required by this Part.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(e)
Ord. 91-720
Ord. 98-243
Any person who violates any provision of this Part or of a rule or regulation adopted under this Part is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of $1,000 or to imprisonment for 1 year or both.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117A(f)
Ord. 91-720
Ord. 98-243
In this Part 2A, “firearm” includes any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, or other firearm.
Ord. 08-065
If a firearm is lost or stolen, the person who owned the firearm shall report the theft or loss to the Baltimore Police Department. The report shall be made within 48 hours after the theft or loss is first discovered.
Ord. 08-065
On receipt of a report of a stolen or lost firearm, the Baltimore Police Department shall enter into the National Crime Information Center Database the following information, to the extent known:
the firearm’s caliber, make, model, manufacturer, and serial number; and
any other distinguishing number or identification mark on the firearm.
Ord. 08-065
In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, <cite data-path="|19|§59-18">§ 59-18 of this Part 2</cite>A may be enforced by issuance of a civil citation under City Code <cite data-path="|1">Article 1</cite>, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}.
The issuance of a civil citation to enforce <cite data-path="|19|§59-18">§ 59-18 of this Part 2</cite>A does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law.
Ord. 08-065
Any person who violates <cite data-path="|19|§59-18">§ 59-18 of this Part 2</cite>A is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to the following penalties:
for a 1<sup>st</sup> offense, a fine of not more than $500; and
for any subsequent offense, a fine of not more than $750 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or both fine and imprisonment.
Ord. 08-065
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell any metal knuckles, sling shot, slung shot, sand club, or black jack in the City of Baltimore.
Except that black jacks may be sold to:duly qualified police officers; or
any person having a permit from the Police Commissioner to permit him to make such purchase or purchases.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $500 or be imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both, in the discretion of the court.
City Code, 1950, art. 24, §178
1966, art. 19, §6
1976/83, art. 19, §7
Ord. 51-1528
Ord. 51-066
No person may sell, carry, or possess any knife with an automatic spring or other device for opening or closing the blade, commonly known as a switchblade knife.
Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months or to both fine and imprisonment for each offense.
City Code, 1950, art. 24, §155
1966, art. 19, §160
1976/83, art. 19, §185
Ord. 44-057
Ord. 16-466
Ord. 22-125
In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
“Dangerous knife” means any:Bowie knife;
dirk knife;
gravity knife;
shooting knife, as described in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gcr|4-105">State Criminal Law Article § 4-105</cite>;
star knife, as defined in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gcr|4-101">State Criminal Law Article § 4-101</cite>;
straight razor;
switchblade knife, as described in <cite data-path="|19|§59-22">§ 59-22 of this subtitle</cite> or in <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gcr|4-105">State Criminal Law Article § 4-105</cite>; or
any knife with a blade that is longer than 3 inches.
No person may sell, give, or otherwise transfer a dangerous knife to, or permit the use or possession of a dangerous knife by, any individual that the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under the age of 21.
Except as provided in part (ii) of this paragraph, no person may place a dangerous knife in an exterior window or glass display case of a commercial establishment that offers knives for sale.
The display of a dangerous knife in a glass display case is permitted in a commercial establishment that sells primarily sporting goods.
In any commercial establishment open to individuals under the age of 21, a dangerous knife available for sale must be placed behind a sales counter and be inaccessible to individuals under the age of 21.
Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months or to both fine and imprisonment for each offense.
Ord. 16-466
Ord. 18-144
As used in this section, the following words have the meanings indicated unless their context clearly indicates otherwise.
“Mini-crossbow” or “pistol-crossbow” means a weapon:consisting of a bow fixed across a stock or pistol-shaped device having a groove or barrel for the arrow or similar missile and a mechanism for holding and releasing the string;
used for shooting arrows or similar missiles; and
having an overall length of less than 18 inches.
A person shall not wear, carry, possess, sell, purchase, transfer, give, or trade a mini-crossbow or pistol-crossbow in the City of Baltimore.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to:a sworn police officer;
a museum or similar institution for historical display purposes; or
a demonstration by an organization at a public event approved by the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City.
Any person who violates a provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or both fine and imprisonment.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §116A
Ord. 94-320
Ord. 22-125
In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
“Gas- or air-pellet gun” means any gun or other device, by whatever name or description known, that is designed to discharge or can readily be converted to discharge a pellet or other object by the expansion of gas or air.
“Paintball” means any gun or other device, including a gas- or air- pellet gun, that is used or designed or intended to be used to discharge a paintball or other object designed or intended to mark a target with pigmentation.
No person may sell, give away, or otherwise transfer a gas- or air-pellet gun or paintball gun to, or permit the use or possession of a gas- or air-pellet gun or paintball gun by, any individual whom that person knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a minor.
No person may possess, discharge or use any gas- or air- pellet gun or paintball gun in Baltimore City except:if the gun is kept within his or her domicile or is used by him or her exclusively for the purpose of teaching the use and care of firearms at a properly constructed indoor or outdoor range;
on a properly constructed target range or recreational paintball facility;
on private grounds or residence under circumstances in which the gun is operated so as to not endanger person or property and in a manner that prevents the projectile from traversing any grounds or space outside of the private grounds or residence; or
if the gun is being transported in a motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and is not being carried on a person.
Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 12 months or to both fine and imprisonment for each offense.
City Code, 1966, art. 19, §99(a) - (c), (e)
1976/83, art. 19, §115(a) - (c), (f)
Ord. 56-233
Ord. 63-1655
Ord. 85-385
Ord. 07-383
Ord. 12-064
Ord. 14-307
Ord. 22-125
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to sell, offer for sale by any means whatsoever, give away, lend, rent, or otherwise transfer or attempt to transfer, or to own, possess, use, handle, or permit the use of, any dart gun, blow gun, or other device by whatever name or description known, which is discharged or operated by introducing air or any type of gas into any part of a hollow tube or shaft and thereby causing to be ejected therefrom any dart, needle, arrow, pin, pellet, or any other object which is capable of inflicting any injury, damage, or harm to or upon any person, animal, or bird.
Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent the use of any such device for the treatment, capture, or destruction of animals when any such use takes place under the supervision of a veterinarian, policeman, or any other person who is regularly engaged or employed in the handling, training, treatment, or maintenance of animals.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor, subject upon conviction to a fine of not more than $500 or to imprisonment for not longer than 60 days or to both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Court.
City Code, 1966, art. 19, §99(d), (e)
1976/83, art. 19, §115(d), (f)
Ord. 56-233
Ord. 63-1655
Ord. 85-385
In this section, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
“<em>Electronic control device</em>”.
“Electronic control device” means a portable device designed as a weapon capable of injuring, immobilizing, or inflicting pain on an individual by the discharge of electrical current.
“<em>Adjudicated as a mental defective</em>”.
“Adjudicated as a mental defective” means a determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority, that, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, mental illness, incompetency, condition, or disease, a person:is a danger to themselves or to others; or
lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his or her own affairs.
“Mental disorder”.“Mental disorder” means a behavioral or emotional illness that results from a psychiatric disorder.
“Mental disorder” includes a mental illness that so substantially impairs the mental or emotional functioning of an individual as to make care or treatment necessary or advisable for the welfare of the individual or for the safety of the person or property of another.
“Protective order”.
“Protective order” means a temporary or final protective order entered under the authority of Maryland Code, Family Law Article, §§ <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gfl|4-505">4-505</cite> and <cite data-doc="Md. Code" data-path="gfl|4-506">4-506</cite>.
In addition to all State law prohibitions and penalties on the sales of electronic control devices, including no sales to minors, no sales to those convicted of certain crimes, and no sales without background checks, it is unlawful in the City:for any person to possess an electronic control device in a:public school;
State public building; or
City public building;
for any person to sell or ship an electronic control device to any other person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the other person has been:adjudicated as a mental defective; or
committed to any mental institution;
for any person to possess an electronic control device if the person suffers from a mental disorder and has a history of violent behavior against themselves or another; and
for any person subject to a protective order to possess an electronic control device for the duration of the protective order.
Nothing in this section shall be held to apply to any member of the Baltimore City Police Department or any other law enforcement officer while in the performance of his or her official duty.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor, subject upon conviction to a fine of not more than $1,00 or to imprisonment for not longer than 12 months or to both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Court.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §115(e), (f)
Ord. 56-233
Ord. 85-385
Ord. 17-020
A stench bomb is herein defined as any liquid, gaseous, or solid substance or matter of any kind which is intended to be thrown, dropped, poured, deposited, or discharged for the purpose of producing a noxious, nauseating, sickening, irritating, or offensive odor.
It is unlawful for any person to:sell, barter, or trade a stench bomb;
manufacture, make, or prepare a stench bomb;
throw, drop, pour, deposit, or discharge a stench bomb; or
aid or abet another in throwing, dropping, pouring, depositing, or discharging a stench bomb.
Nothing in the above provisions shall apply to:regularly appointed police officers acting in line of duty; nor
proprietors of business places who may keep or use certain acid diffusing bombs solely for the purpose of repelling robbers, thieves, or other law violators.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, is subject to a fine of not less than $5 and not more than $500 at the discretion of the court.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §117
Ord. 70--903
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years to carry, use, or discharge any weapon or device commonly known as a tear gas gun, or any tear gas device.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $100 for each such violation.
City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §116
Ord. 69-330
The Court or Police Magistrate who convicts any person of any criminal offense shall declare as forfeited and confiscated any gun, pistol, firearm, switch-blade knife, or other dangerous weapon which was in the possession of the person at the time of committing the offense and which either was used or held for possible use in connection with the offense.
The said weapon shall be turned over to the Police Department of Baltimore City for disposal and shall not be treated or considered as the property of the person so convicted.
City Code, 1966, art. 19, §15
1976/83, art. 19, §17
Ord. 56-530