Firearms permit in MA?

[InterWebGuy]

Hi All,
I've recently started working in Massachusetts and am seriously considering obtaining dual residency (original residence is in Maine)- I own firearms but never really considered keeping them in MA an option, given the reputation of the state for draconian guns laws and the fact that ranges seem to be pretty few and far between. However, I recently discovered a gun-shop in my area (the greater Boston area, that is), and the clerk there assured me that obtaining a class B permit wasn't all that difficult "If you're clean" (I am)- on top of that, he said that the best thing to do if you want to K&BA in the state of MA is to get a class A LTC permit (even though I don't own any pistols, and am not really interested in getting any). Given what he was telling me, the biggest hurdle to keeping a firearm in your house, apartment, or place of business is just the couple of months (2-3, from what I understand) spent waiting around for the paper-work to go through. Furthermore, he also gave me the names of a couple rifle-ranges within an hours drive from my house.

I was naturally pretty happy to hear this (saves me a 3 hour drive if I want to go shooting with my buddies), but I just wanted to get some opinions from some other MA gun-owners, if I could. I'm not really looking to keep much more than an antique mauser and my 870 in my house, but I'm leery of running the risk of losing them if I dot the wrong I or cross the wrong T. I'd be looking to get a class A (concealed carry handgun, long-gun, hi-cap mags, etc), but would probably be ok with a class B (lo-cap only, no CCW). Can anybody tell me what the process is like, and how best to go about getting one? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
-IWG

 

[Prince Yamato]

Massachusetts is not Draconian, just insanely bureaucratic, like upstate NY. Get a pistol just to get the Class A permit. That's the same permit you need for "hi-capacity magazines" if I recall correctly. You can even own Class 3 weapons in Massachusetts, so it's not that backward. You just have to jump through more hoops than a I do, as a Texan. On the plus side, if you DO get a carry permit in MA, you can carry just about everywhere.

 

[Hoplophile]

What are the laws on bringing guns to MA? I want to go to school there, but I ain't leaving my friend Mr. WASR behind if I don't have to.

 

[Mass-Diver]

Check out www.northeastshooters.com for lots of details about our crazy laws.

Here in MA pistol permits are entirely at the discretion of each town's police chief. As a result in some towns, just about anyone can get a Class-A LTC with no restrictions (i.e. CC permit), while in other towns/cities it is impossible.

Also, the AWB never expired here: hi-cap mags must be pre-ban, as do "assault" rifles if you want to have all the evil features.

There are some other quirky rules as well, for example the AG has this whole system where gun manufacturers must submit there pistols for consumer protection testing. As a result, for example, dealers can not sell new Glocks. A used glock pistol may sell for as much as $800.

 

[LickitySplit]

Check out http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/index.php

They have a very informed and knowledgeable membership there.

If they can't answer anyones questions regarding MA firearms laws, no one can.

 

[InterWebGuy]

Thanks for the replies!
I'll definitely check that site out- sounds like just the ticket. As for guns you own that don't fit the bill- the clerk told me that anything you own before moving here is your property, and they'll pretty much let you keep it - as long as you don't make trouble (the law is a little vague when it comes to banned guns, it seems). My SKS and 10/22 (with it's cute little 15 rd mags) will be staying in the pine tree state until I can get an authoritative answer on this one- I'd rather be safe than sorry

 

[LickitySplit]

It already sounds like they're...

A) Trying to discourage you from bringing any firearms into this wonderful state.

B) Misinformed or ignorant about the gun laws here.

Both symptoms are quite common here.

Your SKS is all fine and well here as is your 10/22. The 15 round mag is legal here if it's pre 09/13/94.

One other thing you should be aware of, is that firearms brought in to MA by an out of state resident don't have to be registered.

 

[InterWebGuy]

Sorry, didn't mean to imply the clerk was causing me any problems- he was actually a really nice guy and helped me out a lot in terms of explaining the basic way the laws were laid out (he actually encouraged me to bring my 870 down for HD purposes) my only point of confusion was how to handle a situation where I personally own a firearm that's not in compliance with the MA state AWB. The clerk told me that the law is intentionally vague on the specifics involved here so that individual municipalities can pretty much do whatever they want ("some are a lot better than others" was what he said). Again, I'd much rather be safe than sorry, and I was hoping you folks could provide me with some idea of which municipalities were better than others, and just how bad a "bad" one can be.
Thanks again,
IWG