§ 57-11. Firearms in or near places of public assembly.

(a) A person must not sell, transfer, possess, or transport a handgun, rifle, or shotgun, or ammunition for these firearms, in or within 100 yards of a place of public assembly.

(b) This section does not:

(1) prohibit the teaching of firearms safety or other educational or sporting use in the areas described in subsection (a);

(2) apply to a law enforcement officer, or a security guard licensed to carry the firearm;

(3) apply to the possession of a firearm or ammunition in the person’s own home;

(4) apply to the possession of one firearm, and ammunition for the firearm, at a business by either the owner or one authorized employee of the business;

(5) apply to the possession of a handgun by a person who has received a permit to carry the handgun under State law; or

(6) apply to separate ammunition or an unloaded firearm:

(A) transported in an enclosed case or in a locked firearms rack on a motor vehicle; or

(B) being surrendered in connection with a gun turn-in or similar program approved by a law enforcement agency.

(c) This section does not prohibit a gun show at a multipurpose exhibition facility if:

(1) the facility's intended and actual primary use is firearms sports (hunting or target, trap, or skeet shooting) or education (firearms training); or

(2) no person who owns or operates the facility or promotes or sponsors the gun show received financial or in-kind support from the County (as defined in Section 57-13(a)) during the preceding 5 years, or after December 1, 2001, whichever is shorter; and

(A) no other public activity is allowed at the place of public assembly during the gun show; and

(B) if a minor may attend the gun show:

(i) the promoter or sponsor of the gun show provides to the Chief of Police, at least 30 days before the show:

(a) photographic identification, fingerprints, and any other information the Police Chief requires to conduct a background check of each individual who is or works for any promoter or sponsor of the show and will attend the show; and

(b) evidence that the applicant will provide adequate professional security personnel and any other safety measure required by the Police Chief, and will comply with this Chapter; and

(ii) the Police Chief does not prohibit the gun show before the gun show is scheduled to begin because:

(a) the promoter or sponsor has not met the requirements of clause (i); or

(b) the Police Chief has determined that an individual described in clause (i)(a) is not a responsible individual.

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a gun shop owned and operated by a firearms dealer licensed under Maryland or federal law on January 1, 1997, may conduct regular, continuous operations after that date in the same permanent location under the same ownership if the gun shop:

(1) does not expand its inventory (the number of guns or rounds of ammunition displayed or stored at the gun shop at one time) or square footage by more than 10 percent, or expand the type of guns (handgun, rifle, or shotgun) or ammunition offered for sale since January 1, 1997;

(2) has secure locks on all doors and windows;

(3) physically secures all ammunition and each firearm in the gun shop (such as in a locked box or case, in a locked rack, or with a trigger lock);

(4) has adequate security lighting;

(5) has a functioning alarm system connected to a central station that notifies the police; and

(6) has liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000. (1997 L.M.C., ch. 14, §§1, 2; 1998 L.M.C., ch. 2, §§1, 2; , § 1.)

Editor's note—Section 57-11, formerly § 57-7A, was renumbered and amended pursuant to , § 1.