MA gun law question

[CANAL RAT]

i have a new car a SUV and it does not have a real trunk just a cargo area. the back cargo area can be accessed via the back seat as you know. will i have to store my gun in a locked case or can i still throw it back there with just a trigger lock and gun sock on it?

thanks

[fishpoopoo]

hope this helps.

http://goal.org/PDF/needknow.pdf

p.s. if more Mass gun owners joined GOAL and got active you wouldn't have to worry about such asinine laws.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by CANAL RAT

i have a new car a SUV and it does not have a real trunk just a cargo area. the back cargo area can be accessed via the back seat as you know. will i have to store my gun in a locked case or can i still throw it back there with just a trigger lock and gun sock on it?

thanks

a trigger lock is definately required....

possibly in your case with no lockable trunk ...you need to purchase a lockable case....

[thortum]

This is a very confusing subject! I've read articles about this very thing in G.O.A.L.'s news letter and I'm still confused. Check the web site posted by Bassturbed, it has a lot of valuable info [better still-join G.O.A.L.]. UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. I,m almost positive that the trigger lock WILL NOT cover you in the car. That will only protect you from prosecution while the weapon is stored in the home.

[harritchate]

its my understanding that the only way youre able to transport a weapon in mass, legally, is in a hardsided case locked and if no trunk- out of vision of someone looking into the vehicle but more importanty out of an arms reach.. hope that helps a little

[mikecc]

weapon

It is not a weapon it is a firearm.

[MAC]

Originally Posted by mikecc

It is not a weapon it is a firearm.

exactly, a firearm is a long arm; shotgun, rifle. A weapon is a handgun. Atleast by Massachusetts gun laws.

[thortum]

They can all be used as weapons. They always have and they always will.

[PJT]

tsk..tsk..tsk

A weapon is an instrument to maim or kill. That is the sole purpose of a weapon.

A firearm is a machine that shoots projectiles. That is it's sole purpose.

A firearm can be a weapon if need be but it is not it's intended role.

It's all in the meaning.

But to answer the original question, I would put a lock on the trigger, then lock the case that it's in and keep it out of reach. i.e in the cargo area under a blanket or some form of cover.

Edited to add- Probably better if you can break down the gun for transport. Still lock the receiver/trigger but if you want to be ultra safe, transport in pieces.

It's all about intent. If you take proper cautions and reasonable measures then there is no intent.

[thortum]

Did I offend somone with the word "weapon"? Sorry. "FIREARMS" are also used for self defence [yes-to kill] that makes them weapons. That's why we are a free people today. I'm a one finger typer so my resposes will be very SLOOOW.

[thortum]

By the way. Where's the "Bassturbed" that started this argument? If he had just stuck to fishing,it would be peacful here. Oh well, if we all agreed with one another life would be very boring.

[thortum]

Sorry Bassturbed,-CANAL RAT started this whole thing.

[fishpoopoo]

just a point of clarification here.

be VERY CAREFUL with legal definitions.

under mass laws, last time I checked, the legal definition of a "firearm" is a handgun.

READ VERY CAREFULLY.

i am an NRA life member and was an active GOAL supporter while Mike Yacino was running the operation. then i had the fortune to move the hell outta mass before the laws got even loopier.

[Jenn]

When I carry I dont ever plan on leaving it in the vehicle. It is my responsibility and I wont chance someone stealing it or the vehicle with the firearm in it. Something to think about...

[CANAL RAT]

where can i get a lockable case for my guns?, because all i have is trigger locks for all of them. i tryed #^&#^&#^&#^&s and i couldnt find any thing there. i want to move to NH or ME when i get older because this sates HATES hunters and fisherman. all the public lands we are paying for in the form of taxes and hunting/fishing licences are going to end up being used for birdwatchers.

thanks.

[TheSpecialist]

During hunting season, we use a trigger lock, and then softsided case. I have an expedition and have never had an issue.

[thortum]

Yes Bassturbed- you are correct, the legal definition of a "firearm" in Mass. is "handgun".

[MAC]

Originally Posted by thortum

They can all be used as weapons. They always have and they always will.

You aren't reading this right. According to MA law a long arm isn't considered a weapon. It is considered a firearm. Hence the need for a FID (firearm identification card).

A handgun IS considered a weapon. In MA you need a pistol permit. It is called a LTC (license to carry). This is where it gets confusing it is a license to carry firearms. There are 2 catagories of this license that I know of. Class A (high capacity) and Class B. A Class A license can be issued; For All Lawful Purposes where as a Class B cannot I don't believe. Class B permits carry restrictions with the main one usually being NO concealed carry. Thus handgun would have to be transported in a locked case or with a trigger lock in place. And unloaded.

I know I got off track from the original thread and for this I appologize.

PS; and yes I know about the military saying. "this is my weapon, this is my gun. This is for killing, (service member would then hold up his M-16) This is for fun. (service member would be grabbing his crotch)

[MAC]

Sorry about the above response thortum. I didn't finish reading the whole thread when I responded.

[Jonesy]

Mass law considers your rear cargo area your trunk so locked in a case unloaded back there is fine. If it gets stolen you are not legally liable. If a gun is stolen from you front seat,console, glovie, back seat you are screwed.

Last time i read the law it said "locked in a case" it didn't specify whether the case had to be lockable or just a trigger lock on it and in a case, depends how the cop will interpret it, not that any of them know the intracicies of these fugged up laws.

In this state you don't want to take any chances so locked in a hradside locakble case unloaded is best. Cheap plastic cases are around at #^&#^&#^&#^&s, etc etc. no need to go all out. even the best cases won't stop a thief once he's got the case somewhere he can work on it.

[thortum]

Cabela's sells hard gun cases, but they're expensive [$80 to $250]. Cheaper to make you own. Plywood + foam. Of coase that could cost you thousands because it will open the door to a new hobby. Good luck.

[MAC]

Originally Posted by Jonesy

Mass law considers your rear cargo area your trunk so locked in a case unloaded back there is fine. If it gets stolen you are not legally liable. If a gun is stolen from you front seat,console, glovie, back seat you are screwed.

Last time i read the law it said "locked in a case" it didn't specify whether the case had to be lockable or just a trigger lock on it and in a case, depends how the cop will interpret it, not that any of them know the intracicies of these fugged up laws.

In this state you don't want to take any chances so locked in a hradside locakble case unloaded is best. Cheap plastic cases are around at #^&#^&#^&#^&s, etc etc. no need to go all out. even the best cases won't stop a thief once he's got the case somewhere he can work on it.

Just so anyone that is interested knows; the above doesn't apply to handguns.

[TheSpecialist]

Mac it does'nt apply to hand guns that are loaded under the direct control of the class A permit holder who has an ALP. If you are going to the range, all others must be unloaded, trigger lock and cased.

[TheSpecialist]

Chapter 140: Section 131C. Carrying of firearms in a vehicle


Section 131C. (a) No person carrying a loaded firearm under a Class A license issued under section 131 or 131F shall carry the same in a vehicle unless such firearm while carried therein is under the direct control of such person. Whoever violates the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by a fine of $500.

(b) No person carrying a firearm under a Class B license issued under section 131 or 131F shall possess the same in a vehicle unless such weapon is unloaded and contained within the locked trunk of such vehicle or in a locked case or other secure container. Whoever violates the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by a fine of $500.

(c) No person possessing a large capacity rifle or shotgun under a Class A or Class B license issued under section 131 or 131F shall possess the same in a vehicle unless such weapon is unloaded and contained within the locked trunk of such vehicle or in a locked case or other secure container. Whoever violates the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any officer, agent or employee of the commonwealth or any state or the United States; (ii) any member of the military or other service of any state or of the United States; (iii) any duly authorized law enforcement officer, agent or employee of any municipality of the commonwealth; provided, however, that any such person described in clauses (i) to (iii), inclusive, is authorized by a competent authority to carry or possess the weapon so carried or possessed and is acting within the scope of his duties.

(e) A conviction of a violation of this section shall be reported forthwith by the court or magistrate to the licensing authority who shall immediately revoke the card or license of the person so convicted. No new such card or license may be issued to any such person until one year after the date of revocation

[TheSpecialist]

Chapter 140: Section 131L. Weapons stored or kept by owner; inoperable by any person other than owner or lawfully authorized user; punishment


Section 131L. (a) It shall be unlawful to store or keep any firearm, rifle or shotgun including, but not limited to, large capacity weapons, or machine gun in any place unless such weapon is secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device, properly engaged so as to render such weapon inoperable by any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. For purposes of this section, such weapon shall not be deemed stored or kept if carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user.

(b) A violation of this section shall be punished, in the case of a firearm, rifle or shotgun that is not a large capacity weapon, by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and in the case of a large capacity weapon or machine gun, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(c) A violation of this section shall be punished, in the case of a rifle or shotgun that is not a large capacity weapon and such weapon was stored or kept in a place where a person under the age of 18 who does not possess a valid firearm identification card issued under section 129B may have access without committing an unforeseeable trespass, by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(d) A violation of this section shall be punished, in the case of a rifle or shotgun that is a large capacity weapon, firearm or machine gun was stored or kept in a place where a person under the age of 18 may have access, without committing an unforeseeable trespass, by a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than two and one-half years, nor more than ten years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(e) A violation of the provisions of this section shall be evidence of wanton or reckless conduct in any criminal or civil proceeding if a person under the age of 18 who was not a trespasser or was a foreseeable trespasser acquired access to a weapon, unless such person possessed a valid firearm identification card issued under section 129B and was permitted by law to possess such weapon, and such access results in the personal injury to or the death of any person.

(f) This section shall not apply to the storage or keeping of any firearm, rifle or shotgun with matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition system manufactured in or prior to the year 1899, or to any replica of any such firearm, rifle or shotgun if such replica is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.

[basswipe]

These are the best.

http://www.kalispelcaseline.com/

All my guns are transported in Kalispel cases.