;) OK....with that out of the way I have a question! My boys recieved bb guns as a gift from their Uncle on their Mothers side.......course they have no yard to speak of for their use so I guess its Dad's place they will use them!:hs: They are as in the movie, Red Rider models and my question is in regards to the use of bb guns, the legal parameters and whether permits are necessary or not for their use??? Any helpful information in this regard or links to the same would be appreciated.....I just want to teach them the proper way to handle these bb guns safely! Thanks for any help!

Larry:kewl:

Geez, I am awake before my daughter!! I remember my first BB gun on Xmas! There is a good safety read at the website below.

http://www.bb-guns.org/infobbguns.html

MA say ya gotta have a FID card.

MA say ya gotta have a FID card.

I think that changed. It is an air rifle and uses no powder so it doesn't fall under firearms anymore.

couldn't buy BB's without showing FID card last year at the Goose... :huh:

you need a place in the cellar
where you can mount a piece of plywood
with an old rug nailed to it...to
absorb a bb shot so it doesnt bounce back!

then you need some special flip over when hit targets
like any shooting range has.... with scores on them
and a place to keep score.

a place to mount paper targets....
:think: they used to make bullet traps
it was like a square funnel gismo...

a place to post firearm safety rules!
the gun is always loaded even when completely
out of bb's deal...
and never be pointed at each other thing ever!
(or risk loosing it altogether)

and shooting glasses for safety...just in case.

couldn't buy BB's without showing FID card last year at the Goose... :huh:

some stores are still using these rules even though it isn't the law. The only requirement is to be 18 years of age.

Larry, the best thing you could do is contact your local chief of police and ask him.

Larry, I'll ask swimmer..He handles the permits in Whitman

First thing I did was pm Swimmer! I am sure he can clarify for me. Thanks for all the help guys and the link #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&. I have a nice wooded area directly behind my house and the kids can shoot targets or cans right in back....I just don't want them storming through the woods out back with their guns. They will be used for target shooting only.....I am not particularly thrilled with the gift myself but.....good opportunity to teach them some responsibility!:rollem:

man! we grew up having bb gun fights...shooting windows..birds[plovers] pine cones off trees...pita dogs...nothing was safe...tin cans/papper targets will last about 10 min's and they'll be bored......it's got to be moving or break to have any fun..this world is turning into a marshmellow.

Sure beats getting pink bunny pj's. :jump:

http://www.dontshootyoureyeout.com/

try this one!!!

Larry go buy a BB trap, you can get them online. As others have said you can use it in the basement, or the garage.

Also now is the time to go over and drill the golden rules of guns into their heads:

1. Never ever point a gun at someone
2. Always know your target and what is behind and beyond it.
3. Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. No adult no bbgun use.

Sorry got to go the baby wants to open more presents..

Very good Specialist, Show them the Right way. And always Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

I am not exactly sure about BB guns. As Mac say they are not considered guns in and of themselves. Last I checked you need and f.i.d. car to buy the ammo (bb's). You did not need and f.i.d. card to possess the "gun". I will check Thursday morning and print the whole shebang right here for everyone's edification. My only advice is to keep them under lock and key for safety and monetary reasons.

A few years ago there was numerous pieces of heavy equipment not far from a development. The equipment was being used to do over some sports fields. To make a long story shot, these little angels (mothers words) who were left alone from 2:15 p.m. everyday until single mom came home from work, at a law firm, where she was employed as a paralegal. They jimmied door open to where bb gun was kept. They not only shot out windows in the equipment they actually shot at the operator. They would take off running. Never were caught. We did come up with a witness who saw the kids running into the home around the time they were being chased. Talked to kids briefly. Cant say much without an adult. Took possesion of the BB gun.

Enter mom who like I said works for law firm. Nasty girl. Not my kids. Never. She accused me of forcing my way into her home and stealing the bb gun. Said I didn't have enough probable cause and would never get a conviction should a complaint issue in court against her kids. I thought about it, and maybe she was right. I put a report together and gave it to the company owner who lost about $30,000.00 worth of windows, and he turned it over to his insurance agency who got all the money they needed to replace the windows in the heavy equipment. All they need is 51% in civil court should the mom be sued. So the moms homeowners got stuck with the bill for repairs.

You know what she demanded the BB gun back. It went in the smelter at the foundry.

Larry, maybe you'll win a "Major Award "too. :D

General Information
Massachusetts requires a state license for firearms dealers.

Massachusetts law covers many other areas, too numerous to mention in this brief review. For example, the following actions are prohibited:
discharging a gun within 150 feet of a state or hard-surfaced road or highway [Chapter 131, section 58];
discharging a gun within 500 feet of a building or dwelling in use without the permission of the resident;
selling a gun to a minor;
providing a handgun to a minor;
selling a gun to unlicensed persons;
trespassing on posted land with guns;
possession of an air rifle by a minor (unless in the presence of an adult) without a special permit; and
possession on any school grounds without prior written permission.


Chapter 269: Section 12B. Air rifles; possession by minors; shooting


Section 12B. No minor under the age of eighteen shall have an air rifle or so-called BB gun in his possession while in any place to which the public has a right of access unless he is accompanied by an adult or unless he is the holder of a sporting or hunting license and has on his person a permit from the chief of police of the town in which he resides granting him the right of such possession. No person shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or so-called BB gun into, from or across any street, alley, public way or railroad or railway right of way, and no minor under the age of eighteen shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or BB gun unless he is accompanied by an adult or is the holder of a sporting or hunting license. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, and the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall be confiscated. Upon a conviction of a violation of this section the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall, by the written authority of the court, be forwarded to the colonel of the state police, who may dispose of said article in the same manner as prescribed in section ten.


Chapter 269: Section 12A. Air rifles; sale to minors


Section 12A. Whoever sells to a minor under the age of eighteen or whoever, not being the parent, guardian or adult teacher or instructor, furnishes to a minor under the age of eighteen an air rifle or so-called BB gun, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months.

Larry go buy a BB trap, you can get them online. As others have said you can use it in the basement, or the garage.

Also now is the time to go over and drill the golden rules of guns into their heads:

1. Never ever point a gun at someone
2. Always know your target and what is behind and beyond it.
3. Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. No adult no bbgun use.

Sorry got to go the baby wants to open more presents..


only one thing i would add to what bill said - get some eye protection (impact resistant goggles or shooters glasses). bb guns are an excellent introduction to shooting - ain't worth losing an eye over, tho (either through horseplay or the rare ricochet).

All good advice! Thanks guys!:uhuh:

Eye protection is a must, actually pellets would be a better choice if you shoot indoors since there is less chance of a ricochet.

Always treat a gun as if it were loaded and stress that to your boys.

BB guns are real guns too.

You could make a BB trap yourself instead of buying one if you want, we did when we were kids, it's easy with some tools and some wood.


good luck and don't shoot your eye out.



Oh ya, striperman, thanks for that link :wall: now my son Danny has another idiotic addictive game to play :)

when i was in the six grade,,,ok about to enter the BIG seventh grade......late that summer i went into the patch of woods out behind the house to shoot my BB rifle for awhile... i used to shoot cans
and other targets to... but i was wanting to shoot at tree's this one afternoon. i thought....should be safe enough, as the wood will absorb the hit.... not exactly! as one BB ricocheted off the tree and hit the bathroom window of a nearby house, where my soon to be vice principle of my new jr high school was sitting on the toilet takin a dump. The window completely shattered unknown to me, all over his lap. he was not very pleased and i was in trouble with him there before day one
had even started at my new school. i had many detentions!!!:wall:

In Mass if you use any pellet or bb gun that uses an air cartridge ... you "MUST" have an FID card.

Found that one out by going to the local precinct and asking the detectives in the firearms division.

I see alot of varying opinion and gray area on the issue of permits or FID cards here.....I will call my local PD anyway.

Grew up alot of tears ago had my dads bb gun.different times back then.young son got a bb gun and left it at neighbors(not knowing about it).friend who had bb guns decided to play war games shooting at eack other below the legs.my son got shot threw eye almost went into his brain.if it went there he was dead.2 hospitals same day into nite,5 operations and all kinds of s***.anyone giving son bb gun and not being there with them believe it will lead to trouble.always keep gun under lock.kids today look for all kinds of things to do with the video's etc.

In Mass if you use any pellet or bb gun that uses an air cartridge ... you "MUST" have an FID card.

Found that one out by going to the local precinct and asking the detectives in the firearms division.

I've bought two Co2 cartridge BB guns, one rifle and one pistol in the past year and was never asked for my FID only picture ID for proof of age.

Check with a local Rod and Gun club. a lot of them run an NRA Sponsored Safety Course, passing it also allows them to get an FID at an earlier age (14, I think). Always a great place to start if the kids are going to start shooting

Just send the kids over our house. We have a plethora of squirrels and mice, and the cats aren't doing the trick.

My kids learned on 22's.. They took range instruction and merit badge instruction in BSA, by qualified instructor . They also were trained in pistols at a local gun club youth pragram .. $1.00 wensday nights inside range . I think most clubs have youth training . I wasn't qualified. We learned shooting bb guns at eachother. Kids are curious,, They find a piece in someone eles house, its better they are educated ,.

Went to Hanover PD today......you do not need an FID card to posess or use a bb gun. Just supervision with the kids and of course all safety measures and common sense observed! We used the guns today on some cans....had lots of fun with the boys! Great way to get them outside and away from the computer/video games!:wave: