The voluntary surrender of firearms is voluntary to the extent that the firearm is not seized in a law enforcement effort. Sometimes, people make efforts to turn in their guns. A parent or family member dies and when cleaning out their effects, a family member finds a gun and does not know if it is registered. Sometimes, there are sponsored turn-in dates that might be a buy-back arrangement that the police support through a local church or something along those lines where they can turn the in the firearm, no questions asked.
There are times when one might make arrangements when they have a firearm and no longer want it in their home. Sometimes, people try to sell their firearms, but another option is to turn them in. The key is to not get arrested while they take the firearm to turn it in somewhere.
Read below to learn more about the voluntary surrender of firearms in Maryland. And if you have any questions, get in touch with an experienced gun lawyer.
Why Might a Person Choose to Surrender a Firearm?
A person may want to surrender their firearm for many reasons. If they are trying to avoid prosecution, the issue is how they came to be in possession of the firearm. Someone could have obtained the gun for extrajudicial reasons and now wants to move away from that situation and turn in the gun to eliminate or reduce their risk of criminal exposure.
A person might discover a firearm in the house when someone left it there and forgot to take it with them. The people who are left with the gun might not want the gun in the house. On occasions, there are buyback situations for people to turn in their guns for money. However, they could make more money trying to sell it and buy back events do not happen often.
If someone does not have a firearm, they cannot be charged with carrying it if they turned it in and it is no longer in their possession. Getting a firearm out of their house, car, or off their person can protect them from criminal charges.
Process of Turning in a Gun
If a person is in possession of a gun legally, they need to bring their registration and license when they turn it in. They should also bring their personal identification such as a driver’s license.
It might make sense to touch base with an attorney to guide them through the process of the voluntary surrender of firearms in Maryland. Talking to an attorney can ensure that one does not accidentally stray into any pitfalls that could lead to criminal charges or problems and makes sure that the turning in process goes smoothly and is problem-free.
Call a Maryland Lawyer About the Voluntary Surrender of Firearms
If you have any questions about the voluntary surrender of firearms in Maryland, reach out to an accomplished lawyer today. A dedicated attorney could help you understand the process of turning in a gun and how to avoid criminal charges. Call today.
