2 Men Arrested At Md. Gun Show For Selling Illegal Magazines

TIMONIUM, Md. (WJZ)— Two men were arrested at a Maryland gun show for selling illegal high-capacity magazines.

On Jan. 11, detectives watched 64-year-old Richard Summers, of Waldorf, and 57-year-old John Heilmeier, of Virginia, selling the magazines at the Gun and Knife Show at the Timonium Fairgrounds

Summers and Heilmeier were arrested and charged with a firearms violation.

Under current Maryland law, high capacity magazines (over 20 rounds) cannot be sold or purchased.

The National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence – chaired by Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson – has made restriction of high-capacity magazines a key initiative in its campaign to reduce gun violence.

"It is critical to have effective laws regarding high capacity magazines," Johnson said, "and it is equally important for those involved in the sale of firearms and related equipment to conduct their business in a responsible and law-abiding fashion. These laws are in place to protect public safety, and violations such as this endanger the community."

An undercover detective observed two customers ask one of the vendors for a magazine for a .223 caliber AR-15 rifle. The vendor sold the customers what appeared to be a 30-round magazine. Detectives interviewed the customers, confirmed that the magazine was illegal to sell or buy in Maryland, and seized the item.

The detective then went to the same vendor and asked to purchase a 30-round magazine. The vendor told the detective that he could not say "30-round magazine" because he was in Maryland, but assured the detective that he could buy the magazine that he was looking for. The detective purchased two magazines, which were labeled as holding 20 rounds. An examination of the magazines revealed that they were actually 30-round magazines. Detectives recovered 121 additional illegal magazines from the vendor stand.

Both men were released on their own recognizance. A trial date has been set for May 14.

Charges are pending against the customer who purchased the magazine.