Traveling to Massachusetts. Legal Question inside!

[hurley842002]

I really prefer to consider it as being very CAUTIOUS.....

Yeah, that was a sarcastic statement.

[alxone]

I really prefer to consider it as being very CAUTIOUS.....

[ChadAmberg]

There's the law that says as long as you're traveling through the state and don't stop except for gas, you're good to go. Lets see from the NRAILA site:

A provision of federal law serves as a defense to state or local laws which would prohibit the passage of persons with firearms in interstate travel.
Notwithstanding any state or local law, a person shall be entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm if the firearm is unloaded and in the trunk. In vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

Now, this is a "defense" to state or local laws. Which probably means they'd arrest you, seize the weapons, you'd go to court for arraignment and if you're lucky they'll let you go there and you'll get your guns back in a couple months. Worse is if you'd have to go to full court to present your affirmative defense.


In fact, here's a special warning for Mass:

MASSACHUSETTS—Caution: Massachusetts imposes harsh penalties on the mere possession and transport of firearms unrelated to criminal or violent conduct. Possession of any firearm or ammunition within the state generally requires a state-issued firearm identification card (FID) or license. Licensing and possession regulations vary according to the type of firearm at issue.
Nonresidents may possess rifles, shotguns and “ammunition therefor” without a license or FID while traveling in or through the Commonwealth, provided that the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and enclosed in a case. A nonresident without a license or FID may also carry or possess “conventional rifles, shotguns, and ammunition therefor” if the person meets the requirements for such carrying or possession in the state in which he or she resides. Persons in possession of firearms or ammunition who are moving into Massachusetts or returning to the Commonwealth after an absence of at least 180 consecutive days must obtain the proper credentials within 60 days of entry in order to continue to possess the firearms or ammunition legally.
A nonresident “may carry a pistol or revolver in and through the commonwealth” for purposes of attending a competition or a meeting or exhibition of collectors, or for hunting, provided the person has a valid carry permit from another state whose issuing requirements meet certain guidelines specified under Massachusetts law. If the person is traveling for hunting, he or she must also possess a hunting license issued by Massachusetts or the state of destination. Massachusetts will also issue qualified nonresidents a one-year license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth.

Man, they suck...

[Byte Stryke]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed, Except as crossing state boundaries?

[Geology Rocks]

99% of the time getting shot should not be a concern . do you find yourself associating with criminals or putting yourself at risk of being shot ? Most of the time a firm look or a few choice words get the job done and when thats not enough you should not hesitate grab them by the collar and put your fist down there throat . Hell if im that mad that i feel the need to kill them id rather beat them to death , much more satisfying.
I love firearms , there machines and are fun to take apart and shoot , all that stuff , but until the man comes to take them away or we have gangs of armed looters ect. , ill just shoot for fun thanks .
I dont know how many of you have seen what actually happens when someone gets shot , but its not pretty and a real pain to deal with . I grantee if you go out of state and get involved in a shooting ,right or wrong, you will spend at least one night in jail .

No worries man i know you weren't being a dick.

The reason why I quoted this section though is because there are sometimes when people just don't want to mess with you, or steal your TV. There are people out there who want nothing more than to watch the fear in your eyes as they steal your last breath from you. Those people cannot be controlled by a punch or being talked down. Trust me I have seen and worked with those kind of people before. Its those people that concern me and why i carry. A firearm is a last resort but in the event you need it, it will be great to have.

You have the right to not carry just like i have the right to carry.

joe

[TFOGGER]

The reason I ask is because of the Federal Law that allows state to state transportation of a firearm. I am in transit. Does that mean if you live in Maine and are driving to Florida you have to skip Massachusetts, or are you protected by Federal Law? Are all laws thrown out because I am flying?

Reason? I would like to shoot while I am there and most importantly I would like to protect my wife. Our house is in the middle of the woods, surrounded by nothing but trees. Safe yes...however, if something were to go wrong you have no chance unless you are armed. Fire is all volunteer and there are 2 cops in town. Plus I can.....

Joe

Federal Safe Transit does not apply when flying, only when driving. The firearm must be unloaded, inaccessible, and stored separately from the ammunition. You would have to be able to prove that you were transiting through MA, that it was not your destination. Hollow point ammo would still be a faux pas under Assachusetts law.

[Bailey Guns]

99% of the time getting shot should not be a concern . do you find yourself associating with criminals or putting yourself at risk of being shot ? Most of the time a firm look or a few choice words get the job done and when thats not enough you should not hesitate grab them by the collar and put your fist down there throat . Hell if im that mad that i feel the need to kill them id rather beat them to death , much more satisfying.
I love firearms , there machines and are fun to take apart and shoot , all that stuff , but until the man comes to take them away or we have gangs of armed looters ect. , ill just shoot for fun thanks .
I dont know how many of you have seen what actually happens when someone gets shot , but its not pretty and a real pain to deal with . I grantee if you go out of state and get involved in a shooting ,right or wrong, you will spend at least one night in jail .

It ain't the 99% of the time I worry about.

And I'm no Chuck Norris, but I don't worry about most one on one physical confrontations. I can usually take care of myself. But, short of being attacked by gang of girl scouts, X on one confrontations are a possibility and I doubt I could physically handle multiple attackers...even as few as two.

I've seen the results of actual human beings getting in the way of a bullet. You're right. It isn't pretty. But, that's one of the traits of bullets I really admire...the damage they can do from a (relatively safe) distance when required and effectively employed.

And the aftermath of shooting someone is a PITA. But I submit it's better than being dead.

Sorry for the thread-jack.

Have you checked the Mass State Police website or maybe www.handgunlaw.us for an answer?

[TFOGGER]

Paranoid, hell....I have the whole set!

I don't usually carry while actually AT work, but there are a number of strategically located options here, and some of my coworkers DO carry consistently. I just feel more comfortable without the "brick in my pocket" feeling that the Baby Ancho... er...Eagle brings...

[Geology Rocks]

There's the law that says as long as you're traveling through the state and don't stop except for gas, you're good to go. Lets see from the NRAILA site:

A provision of federal law serves as a defense to state or local laws which would prohibit the passage of persons with firearms in interstate travel.
Notwithstanding any state or local law, a person shall be entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm if the firearm is unloaded and in the trunk. In vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

Now, this is a "defense" to state or local laws. Which probably means they'd arrest you, seize the weapons, you'd go to court for arraignment and if you're lucky they'll let you go there and you'll get your guns back in a couple months. Worse is if you'd have to go to full court to present your affirmative defense.


In fact, here's a special warning for Mass:

MASSACHUSETTS—Caution: Massachusetts imposes harsh penalties on the mere possession and transport of firearms unrelated to criminal or violent conduct. Possession of any firearm or ammunition within the state generally requires a state-issued firearm identification card (FID) or license. Licensing and possession regulations vary according to the type of firearm at issue.
Nonresidents may possess rifles, shotguns and “ammunition therefor” without a license or FID while traveling in or through the Commonwealth, provided that the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and enclosed in a case. A nonresident without a license or FID may also carry or possess “conventional rifles, shotguns, and ammunition therefor” if the person meets the requirements for such carrying or possession in the state in which he or she resides. Persons in possession of firearms or ammunition who are moving into Massachusetts or returning to the Commonwealth after an absence of at least 180 consecutive days must obtain the proper credentials within 60 days of entry in order to continue to possess the firearms or ammunition legally.
A nonresident “may carry a pistol or revolver in and through the commonwealth” for purposes of attending a competition or a meeting or exhibition of collectors, or for hunting, provided the person has a valid carry permit from another state whose issuing requirements meet certain guidelines specified under Massachusetts law. If the person is traveling for hunting, he or she must also possess a hunting license issued by Massachusetts or the state of destination. Massachusetts will also issue qualified nonresidents a one-year license to carry a firearm in the Commonwealth.

Man, they suck...

Thanks for the info and yes Mass sucks big time. NY and Mass I was told refuse to recognize the retired peace officer card that allows all retired police officers to carry in any state. They refuse and arrested a retired cop in NY. Apparently they think they are above Federal Law.

I have a call into my cousin who is a retired Mass trooper and a criminal defense attorney in Mass as well as a friend of my fathers who ran the Mass state police to hear what they say.


joe

[Mtn.man]

Hey even Chuck carries...

And our local Rambo ain't met with bubba no doubt.

I was once Bad Ass but now old age and lack of wanting to drag out the process I just shoot ya.