A 46-year-old Waldorf resident faces weapons charges after Anne Arundel County Police seized a folding firearm during a traffic stop November 18, 2025, in Odenton.
Officers from the Western District pulled over a silver Toyota Tundra around 11:15 a.m. near Annapolis Road and Piney Orchard Parkway. As the officer approached, the driver reached toward the back seat, prompting further investigation that led to the recovery of a Kel-Tec SUB-2000, described in the incident report as a subcompact pistol with a collapsible stock. The driver, identified as Joe Tyrone Gardner Jr. of Waldorf in Charles County, was arrested at the scene under case number 25-738605.
Police charged Gardner with violations related to possession of the firearm. The exact charges stem from Maryland regulations on handguns and certain rifle configurations in vehicles, though specific counts were not detailed in the initial release.
The Kel-Tec SUB-2000 is a pistol-caliber carbine designed to fold for compact storage, accepting standard handgun magazines and featuring a stock that collapses or folds to reduce overall length. When folded, many models measure under 30 inches, a threshold relevant under state law for classifying certain semi-automatic centerfire firearms capable of accepting detachable magazines.
Maryland prohibits wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun on public roads or in vehicles without a Wear and Carry Permit, except in limited circumstances such as travel to a range or while hunting with proper licensing. Handguns must generally be unloaded and stored in an enclosed case, separate from ammunition, when transported legally without a permit.
For longer firearms, Maryland bans specific assault weapons and copycat configurations enacted through the 2013 Firearm Safety Act. Among prohibited features for semi-automatic centerfire rifles with detachable magazines are folding stocks that allow the weapon to fire while folded, or combinations resulting in an overall length under 29 inches in shortest configuration. The SUB-2000’s design, which enables folding to approximately 16 inches while retaining the ability to accept Glock or other pistol magazines, has led to scrutiny in enforcement actions, as it blurs lines between handgun and rifle classifications depending on stock attachment and barrel length.
Federal law treats the SUB-2000 as a carbine when equipped with its stock, but Maryland’s regulated firearm framework applies stricter transport rules to handguns and banned features to rifles. Possession of a loaded handgun in a vehicle remains prohibited without a permit, carrying misdemeanor penalties up to three years imprisonment and fines. Violations involving prohibited assault weapons can escalate to felony charges.
Gardner, from Southern Maryland’s Charles County, was processed following the stop. Court records indicate ongoing proceedings in Anne Arundel District Court, where initial appearances for such charges typically occur within days.
Maryland State Police handle Wear and Carry Permit applications, requiring 16 hours of training, background checks, and qualification shooting. Post-2022 U.S. Supreme Court rulings, permits issue on a shall-issue basis to qualified adults over 21, removing prior good-and-substantial-reason requirements.
Residents transporting firearms legally must adhere to enclosed-case rules for handguns or ensure rifles lack banned features. Violations often arise during routine stops when movements draw officer attention, as in this instance.
The seized Kel-Tec enters evidence pending case resolution, with potential for forfeiture if convicted on prohibited possession counts.