Help Friend moving to MA

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KAR120C

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I have a friend who is just starting to get his feet wet in the shooting sports. He is(was?) on the verge of buying a .22 target pistol, and a CMP M1. Now he is moving from MN to MA, and is unsure of what the laws are out there.

Could you guys please help by summarizing laws that affect gun ownership and use in that great liberal state?

Also, he will be attending MIT, so any info on local shooting clubs or ranges would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Buy what he wants BEFORE moving into the state.
Only MA compliant handguns can be sold by FFLs here.
There is still an AWB in effect, so any mags >10 rounds must be Pre-Ban. Any EBRs made after 1994 must be in Post-Ban config (ie no FS, bayo lug, collapsing stock). If he buys a handgun that is not MA compliant, he can own it and even carry it, as long as any mags are Pre-Ban or not > 10 rounds.

Depending on where he lives, getting a CCW may range from easy to impossible. Look at the town-by-town lising on Northeastshooters.com to get a guide of the best towns to choose for licensing. The CLEO of the particular town has complete discretion of whether and to whom CCW licenses (called an LTC in MA) are given. Generally the closer you go to Boston, the more difficult it is to get a license. Ideally, he wants to get a Class A LTC "for all lawful purposes" (non-restricted).

Websites to look at : GOAL.org
Northeastshooters.com
 
I think that anyone interested in the shooting sports moving to MA is beyond help.
 
I think that anyone interested in the shooting sports moving to MA is beyond help.
Click to expand...

Which is exactly the type of sentiment we should actively be fighting. Just because one lives in an anti state doesn't mean their rights are gone - just restricted. We should be rallying around these folks, not writing them off.
 
Thanks, kingpin.

MA certainly has many horrible gun laws, but is still better than many other states.

I can CCW almost anywhere here. No silly rules about restaurants or bars, no 30.30 signs.

I can have EBRs and hi-caps, they just have to be Pre '94

I can have non-MA compliant handguns, I just have to get them by private sale

I can own machine guns.

I can own a .50

-------------
If more Pro-gun people move into this staet, we can try to turn the tide
 
+1 to everything Chipperman said in post #2. First off, there is a list on Northeastshooters.com of the majority of cities in MA. This list is color coded. If your friend is moving to a city that is color coded red, he's in for a helluva fight to get an LTC. If he's moving to a green colored city, things should be okay. Basically, the chief of police is the final authority on who gets to have a gun. If the chief is anti....you're SOL.

The catch is, LTC's are valid statewide. I used to live in a "green" city, which is where I got an unrestricted LTC-A. Now I live in a "red" city were all LTC's are restricted, but mine still counts as unrestricted. Hopefully I don't get screwed come time for renewal.

Now, to explain what all this means, a restricted LTC (license to carry) usually means you can't really carry. It can be a license to carry, restricted to target shooting only (for example), which would mean you can only legally carry when you are at a range. If you aren't at a range, you can't legally carry.

Additionally, there is a list of firearms which are approved for dealer sale in MA. If a firearm isn't on this list (such as anything by Kimber or Springfield Armory), a dealer can't legally transfer it to you. So basically, that nice new Kimber that you may be eying, sorry, can't have it. Only way to get something like that is from a private party transfer from someone who already owns one. What this boils down to is that practically the only way to get new firearms from many manufacturers is to wait for someone to move to MA that already owns one. Then you have to wait for that person to not want to own it anymore. Then you have to be the lucky one to buy it from them.

Beyond this, there are "consumer protection regulations" imposed by the attorney general that further restrict the sale of firearms, even the ones that are on the approved list. Those are a real picnic to figure out.

Long story short, gun ownership in MA is complicated. It's a fairly safe bet your friend will easily be able to select a firearm from a state-approved list, purchase that firearm, take it home, and look at it, maybe even take it to the range once in awhile. Beyond that, nothing is a guarantee. Suggest that your friend does a lot of research. He can (should) contact GOAL (Gun Owners Action League, think NRA but at the state level for MA) and get a lot of valuable and accurate info on what he's going to be dealing with as a gun owner in this glorious state. Other than that, all I can say is good luck.
 
Guys, thanks for the info.

Just to be clear. Could he purchase an M1 from the CMP after he moves to MA?

The approved list looks very specific, as in the stainless (but otherwise identical) version of a normally blued gun has its own listing. As if it was a different gun. That is very sobering. Presumably if a gun maker changes the smallest feature, or adds a letter to the guns designation, MA would consider that a "new gun", and you couldn't purchase it unless they add it to the list. True?

He is considering getting a Browning Buckmark target .22. I only saw two Buckmarks on the list, neither of which are models he's considering. So unless he buys what he wants before he changes his permanent address to MA, he is SOL on getting the Buckmark he wants, right?
 
Guys, thanks for the info.

Just to be clear. Could he purchase an M1 from the CMP after he moves to MA?

The approved list looks very specific, as in the stainless (but otherwise identical) version of a normally blued gun has its own listing. As if it was a different gun. That is very sobering. Presumably if a gun maker changes the smallest feature, or adds a letter to the guns designation, MA would consider that a "new gun", and you couldn't purchase it unless they add it to the list. True?

He is considering getting a Browning Buckmark target .22. I only saw two Buckmarks on the list, neither of which are models he's considering. So unless he buys what he wants before he changes his permanent address to MA, he is SOL on getting the Buckmark he wants, right?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can get CMP M1s in any state as far as I know.

I'm not 100% on the Buckmark since I don't know anything about them, but I would say that your theory is correct. Similar guns with slightly different names can be excluded. For example, I can buy a Sig P220, but I can't buy a Sig P220 Elite (or Combat, or anything other than the normal black P220). The P220ST has its own designation on the list, for example.

Definitely splurge and buy what he wants before he moves here. All handguns are grandfathered in, so if you want to buy 1 of each handgun out there, you can bring them to MA when you move here. Only problem is that any "high cap" mags have to be pre-ban, period.

Dope
 
Another MA resident chiming in.

I got my Garand from the CMP no problem.

Someone already mentioned buying and bringing guns into MA. This is a smart idea as our handgun list leaves much to be desired. Long guns are not as much of an issue but do have certain restrictions. Most have already been stated.

I second the recommendation of northeastshooters as he can search for the most common questions before even moving this way.

Make sure they pick a town that is Green because if not he will get a neutered license... i.e target/hunting only.

When he gets up this way have him send me a PM and Ill take him to my local range so he can pop some rounds.
 
Presumably if a gun maker changes the smallest feature, or adds a letter to the guns designation, MA would consider that a "new gun", and you couldn't purchase it unless they add it to the list. True?
Click to expand...

True.

Here is a link to the consumer protection regulations that the AG established. As I mentioned in my previous post, these even restrict firearms that are on the official approved list. As an example, all Glocks are on the approved list. However, Glock is unwilling to manufacture special guns just for MA that have the 10 pound trigger required by paragraph 2 of 940 CMR 10.05. Therefore, Glocks are approved, but not really.

The catch here is that the CMR's restrict what a dealer can sell, not what a private citizen can buy, and even then they only restrict firearms made AFTER the CMR was enacted. So you can go to a dealer and buy a used Glock (pre-'98, I believe), or buy anything you want from a private citizen. But you cannot go to a dealer and have him order you a brand new Glock. Like I said, the laws are complicated.

Oh, and I think there is a possibility that the laws might apply differently to .22 firearms. I could be completely wrong on that, as I certainly am not a lawyer. I can tell you, however, that, assuming one is properly licensed to own a firearm, there are no issues with purchasing firearms from the CMP.
 
Definitely splurge and buy what he wants before he moves here. All handguns are grandfathered in, so if you want to buy 1 of each handgun out there, you can bring them to MA when you move here.
Click to expand...

That's the best course of action right there. In a couple years my job will be taking me down south for about 6 years or so. While there, trust me, I'll be going crazy buying all those goodies I can't get right now.
 
Not to mention, if you buy tons of "banned" hanguns before moving to MA, you can always sell them at a huge premium before you leave (or even if you decide to stay). So worst case, you end up making a bunch of money.

(Sell me some!)

Dope
 
Chipperman is absolutely correct in his posts.

So unless he buys what he wants before he changes his permanent address to MA, he is SOL on getting the Buckmark he wants, right?
Click to expand...

He won't be able to buy it new but he can still own one if he can buy one from someone that already has one in state.

Keep in mind that if he should bring in many guns not on the 'list', it's perfectly legal but if he wants to sell them when he gets here, he can only do it in a face-to-face manner, not thru an FFL as FFL's are prohibited from transferring 'non compliant' guns, and then he is limited to 4 face to face transactions per year.

Also all transactions must be reported to the state via a state form FA-10.
 
He is considering getting a Browning Buckmark target .22
Click to expand...

While new Buckmarks would be difficult to get, an older one would be easily found at a dealer.

Handguns that are difficult (or impossible) to find in MA from a dealer and in high demand when sold privately would be newer HK, FN five-seven, newer Glocks, just about any newer 1911 other than S&W, Kel-Tec, Kahr, CZ, etc.
 
Keep in mind that if he should bring in many guns not on the 'list', it's perfectly legal but if he wants to sell them when he gets here, he can only do it in a face-to-face manner, not thru an FFL as FFL's are prohibited from transferring 'non compliant' guns, and then he is limited to 4 face to face transactions per year.
Click to expand...

Hmmm I'm not sure exactly how that works, but I have seen "banned" used guns at gunstores before here in MA. Maybe they were sold to the FFL by a private party, who then resells them? Or maybe they're just on cosignment? Hmmm.

Dope
 
If you see a "banned" handgun for sale in a MA gunshop, there are a couple of possible reasons.
1. It is pre 10/98 and therefore MA compliant
2. The shop is selling online or to anyone who will then take it to an FFL in another state for transfer.

If the shop is taking a non-MA compliant gun for "display" but then having a person sell it privately to skirt the law-- well that's pretty shady. I've never seen a dealer in MA do that, and I think they would be taking a big risk in doing it.
 
Just exactly which are the states that MA is better than on gun laws? CA?

Don't write off people living in states with no Second Amendment? What do you suggest I do? If you don't live there, the politicians ignore you. Of course, they ignore you if you do live there.

My heart goes out to people who wish to exercise their Second Amendment rights but have the misfortune of living in CA, MA, NJ, NY, IL and HI. But really, what can I do about their situation if THEY can't do anything about it?

Don't rip me because MA has oppressive gun laws and I acknowledge that fact.
 
Just exactly which are the states that MA is better than on gun laws?
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Well, how about WI and IL which have no CCW at all?
How about DE or HI which do not allow any machine guns?
How about TX where you cannot carry in a bar, church or hospital (all of which are fine in MA)?

I am not saying that MA has great laws-- Far from it. I'm just saying that states vary about WHICH ASPECTS of their gun laws are good or bad.

There are stupid laws about guns in many states that are still considered "Pro-Gun".
 
Since his intentions are to buy a target gun and he's going to MIT, he's in good company. MIT has a very good shooting team coach. One of his former students made fourth place in the Olympic trials last week for Women's sport Pistol.

MA has a lot of good shooting clubs too.
 
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