Can you use deadly force during snake attacks in Maryland

[Mac!Gettothechoppa'!]

I live in the suburbs outside Rockvile, Md, and we have a snake situation. If working in the yard around your home and a snake(s) attacks are you allowed to use critter rounds in your revolver like some of the cci buckshot ammo to protect yourself and family?

 

[H Richard]

That depends on your local ordinances for discharging a firearm within the city limits. Most probably NO.

 

[Evil Dog]

You might want to check with your local police agency on that.

 

[M29since14]

From what a read on this forum it seems like the snake would have more rights than his prey in Maryland.

 

[da gimp]

better use a hoe... the garden implement variety & not the lady of the evening variety...I hear the government out there is a tad anti-gun....

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Unqualified "YES"

Now you need to ask the proper question.

 

[finesse_r]

If you could count on the police having half a brain and using it, you would be fine. I know in Texas back in the 1950's and 1960's the police would use discretion and would not dream of punishing you even if it was a technical violation of the law. They would realize the law was put in place to prevent unnecessary or random firing of a gun. They would use their common sense and just verbally warn you not to do it again.

Today everything is dependent on political correctness, and so many police think the ‘LAW IS THE LAW” and do not use their common sense or discretion. So I would advise anywhere today if it is against the law, don’t do it, especially in Maryland. If you are in Baltimore I would say it would be even more likely that you would go to jail for such an action.

 

[Mac!Gettothechoppa'!]

Thanks guys. I think I'll just move.

 

[keith44spl]

Ya'd be better off jest get yourself a good shovel....Or a real sharp attorney!



.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Ya'd be better off jest get yourself a good shovel....Or a real sharp attorney!



.

Shovel's cheaper........jest sayin'.....................

 

[finesse_r]

Shovel's cheaper........jest sayin'.....................

Often sharper too! Certainly the shovel would be my first choice of weapons against a snake even out here in the country where no one cares if I shoot or not. Why waste a shotgun shell or 20 bullets when one shovel will do the job jes fine.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I grew up there. We used to shoot down on Avery road (everybody) we would just show up and start shooting. Guys would bring their birthday and Christmas shotguns to school on the bus to show everyone. I was outside on my own at 7 years old with an 1890 Winchester pump-but I had been trained. We lived on Fischer's lane when it was about 10 feet wide-1953-where H.E.W. stands now-so Rockville has definitely changed, but it ain't the only thing!

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

If you're in Maryland, then you might be better off just getting a mongoose.

 

[Comrad]

I know somewhere nearby there's a major snake problem but didn't know Maryland had one too.

 

[arjay]

There's a fellow about 20 minutes from here in the foothills that decided to fix a couple bear cubs raiding his trash cans yesterday.Hes facing two felonies and three misdemeanors.He managed to put a slug into his neighbors house...

 

[GatorFarmer]

Venomous Snakes in Maryland does it look like either of these?

A .22 or even a .38 from a six inch bbl is not that loud and easily mistaken for a popping balloon, car backfire, etc from a distance.

 

[Doug M.]

There's a fellow about 20 minutes from here in the foothills that decided to fix a couple bear cubs raiding his trash cans yesterday.Hes facing two felonies and three misdemeanors.He managed to put a slug into his neighbors house...

*
That's because he is an idiot. Putting aside that the description provided is of "nuisance", not "dangerous" behavior, the ghastly marksmanship is indicative of a panic response and he certainly needs a really sharp correction to his behavior.
Snakes: assuming that they are potentially dangerous (venomous), and you are shooting downward with shot shells in a revolver, the risk to others is really slight unless you do something tremendously (off the charts level) irresponsible. However, given the reputation of MD, and the potential for cry-baby neighbors, especially in a more crowded area, I would so some discreet research on both state law and local ordinances. Most local ordinances have explicit exceptions for self-defense, and those that don't, it ought to be implicit anyway. While actually asking a person is likely to be indiscreet, if you are inclined to, don't ask local LE. Ask your conservation/wildlife cops. They are much more up to speed on such issues as a result of their duties. I certainly never cared much when I was in LE - not my field as a deputy.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Geeze guys-I'd just as soon use a hoe or shovel and save the ammo and having to clean the gun. But then what would we talk about?????

 

[Evil Dog]

What if the snake turns out to be a "protected species" !!!

 

[Texas Star]

I think it's romantic and daring to use a machete on them. But a hoe or shovel is safer.

But arboreal snakes on branches should be fair game for the machete, like the various tropical eyelash and similar pit vipers.

But if they're on a vine or thin branch, the vine/branch will sway and deflect much of your blade's cutting power. If on more solid branches or the ground, the full force of the slash can be realized.