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§ 10-408. Regulations relating to weapons and ammunition for hunting

West's Annotated Code of MarylandNatural ResourcesEffective: October 1, 2014

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Natural Resources
Title 10. Wildlife (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 4. Hunting Restrictions--in General (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2014
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-408
§ 10-408. Regulations relating to weapons and ammunition for hunting
Handgun defined
(a) In this section, “handgun” means a firearm:
(1) With a barrel length not exceeding 6 inches; and
(2) That does not have a scope or an electronic device attached.
Regulations and restrictions relating to weapons and ammunition
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department shall:
(i) Prescribe by regulation the means or weapons for hunting designated wildlife; and
(ii) Set forth any restrictions relating to weapons used to hunt designated wildlife, including the amount and size of ammunition for designated game birds or mammals.
(2) The Department may not prohibit a licensed bow hunter from openly carrying a handgun that the hunter is otherwise authorized to carry under § 4-203 of the Criminal Law Article if the bow hunter:
(i) Is at least 21 years old;
(ii) Is hunting in deer management Region A as defined by the Department's Guide to Hunting and Trapping;
(iii) Is carrying the handgun for personal protection; and
(iv) Does not use the handgun to kill wildlife wounded by a vertical bow or crossbow.
Regulations
(c) The Department shall make the regulations available for distribution with each hunting license purchased.
Restriction of firearm use
(d) This section does not authorize the Department to restrict the use of firearms except in the activity of hunting designated wildlife.

Credits

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1990, c. 6, § 2; Acts 1996, c. 525, § 1, eff. June 1, 1996; Acts 2014, c. 476, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.
Formerly Art. 66C, § 132.
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-408, MD NAT RES § 10-408
Current with all legislation from the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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