No. The fact that a firearm has been labeled “state-compliant” or “Massachusetts compliant” by the manufacturer does not make the purchase and possession of the firearm legal in Massachusetts. Whether a weapon is prohibited depends on its compliance with the definition of assault weapon in state law. A weapon is a prohibited “copy or duplicate” if it meets one of the criteria included in the enforcement notice. Rifles manufactured before September 1994 are exempt from this law and are commonly referred to as “pre-ban” rifles. These pre-banned rifles are still legally on sale in Massachusetts. The MbaO will also not enforce the law against an arms dealer who possesses or transmits a “copy or duplicate” weapon acquired by July 20, 2016, provided that the transfers, if any, are made to persons or companies located in states where possession of the weapon is legal. Firearms that are legal in the state of Massachusetts based on the information we have. It is IMPORTANT that you first check with your local dealer to verify and validate this information as laws change, and this is not a legal guide or legal advice. No. However, a weapon manufactured as an assault weapon cannot be legalized by modifications that allow it to unload .17 or .22 caliber ammunition. The above information is provided by MassWildlife as a public service.
No attempt is made to provide legal advice. MassWildlife is not responsible for errors. Consult an advocate to find out the laws in force and those relating to chapter 140. Massachusetts law prohibits the sale and possession of offensive weapons. G.L. c. 140, §§ 128 and 131M. The sale by a company of a weapon that the purchaser is not authorized to possess also violates the State Consumer Protection Act, G.L. c. 93A.
On July 20, 2016, the Attorney General issued an Enforcement Notice on Prohibited Offensive Weapons, which provides guidance to arms manufacturers, authorized dealers and the public on banning offensive weapons. Specifically, the notice explains how the Attorney General identifies prohibited weapons as “copies” or “duplicates” of the prohibited assault weapons listed in Massachusetts law. The purpose of this FAQ is to summarize the notice of execution. The weapon has a receiver that contains or accepts important operating components that are interchangeable with those of a prohibited weapon. Relevant operational components may include: At Tombstone Trading Company, we are proud to stock the best selection of Massachusetts AR-15 and AK-47 pre-ban rifles for sale to Massachusetts residents who hold a valid LTC (License To Carry). NOTE: Although a firearms licence is not required to possess primitive long guns such as a muzzle-loading rifle or shotgun or their ammunition, a firearms licence is required to purchase all ammunition, including black powder. According to Massachusetts law, offensive weapons are defined in different ways. Among other things, the law establishes a list of weapons by make and model that are prohibited.
The law goes on to say that “copies or duplicates” of listed weapons are also prohibited. Anyway, there is a list of features that turn some weapons into offensive weapons. NOTE: You may not possess or unload a loaded rifle or shotgun within 500 feet of a building or apartment used without the permission of the owner or resident. In addition, you are not allowed to unload a rifle or shotgun on or over a state or paved highway or within 150 feet of a highway. A high-capacity firearm is defined as a semi-automatic handgun or a rifle that can hold more than ten rounds, OR is a semi-automatic shotgun that can hold more than five shotgun grenades, OR is an offensive weapon. A rifle with a fixed-tube magazine, designed to hold .22-caliber ammunition and can only be used with .22-caliber ammunition, is not a high-capacity firearm. The Attorney General`s Enforcement Notice describes two tests that the National Gallery uses to identify weapons that are “copies or duplicates” because those weapons are similar enough to be considered “imitators” of the listed weapons. If you are looking for a Massachusetts Pre-Ban AR-15 or AK-47 rifle, call us at (508) 867-6800 and ask what we have in stock. An even better option is to stop and take a look at what we have, as there is always something exciting on our walls and shelves.
Note: The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) provides external links to the websites of the entities mentioned on this page as a public service; It has no control over the content of these websites. The presence of a link here should not be construed as an endorsement of its content by MassWildlife. Your local police service issues firearms licences. First, contact the police for assistance with the requirements and forms required to apply for a firearms licence. Training Requirements: In accordance with Chapter 140 of the MGL, Section 131P(a), all firearms licence applicants for the first time must successfully complete a certified firearms safety mastery course or a basic hunter training course and submit a certificate of completion with their firearms licence application. This list is not exhaustive; This is for illustrative purposes only. Many other weapons are not offensive weapons or copies or duplicates of assault weapons. Yes. However, for reasons of enforcement priorities, the Attorney General`s Office does not expect to take enforcement action in these transactions. Sellers must keep clear evidence of the date on which these transactions were started.
You can also consult the instruction manual and marketing materials for a weapon. If a weapon is marked or marketed as “equal” or “similar” with an “AR-15”, an “AK-47” or any other listed weapon, this would strongly indicate that the weapon is prohibited as a “copy or duplicate”. No. The notice does not amend the law regarding the possession of offensive weapons by law enforcement officers. Their current right to purchase and possess offensive weapons remains protected by Massachusetts law. On July 20, 2016, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy reinterpreted our “Assault Weapons Act,” which Massachusetts had been in place since 1994. From that date, it was illegal for an arms dealer to sell certain semi-automatic rifles and receivers manufactured after September 1994. The most affected types of rifles are variants, copies and duplicates of AR-15 and AK-47 rifles. The Attorney General intends to give full effect to the legislature`s mandate that offensive weapons, including copies or duplicates of listed weapons, must be held out of the hands of civilians. Yes. If the receiver is intended for a weapon that would meet any of the tests described above, it will be treated as an offensive weapon and cannot be sold to Massachusetts. The characteristic test referred to in state law and set out in the enforcement notice is a separate and independent basis for concluding that a weapon is a prohibited offensive weapon.
Your local police service is your licensing authority and can provide you with the forms and information you need to apply. Contact your local before any action. They will identify the conditions that must be met before a firearms licence is issued. High-capacity rifles and shotguns: Anyone carrying high-capacity rifles or shotguns as part of an LTC must carry them unloaded and in a suitcase, trunk or other secure locked container. The lock trigger does not meet the requirements for attaching a high-capacity firearm during transport in a motor vehicle. Large capacity firearms left unattended in a vehicle must be unloaded and placed in a locked suitcase, locked trunk or other secure container. There are several types of permits depending on the type of firearms to be owned: Massachusetts` assault weapons ban prohibits the sale of certain semi-automatic pistols, including the INTRATEC TEC-9, TEC-DC9 and TEC-22; and the Israeli military industries of Action Arms UZI and Galil. Only these weapons and copies or duplicates of these specific pistols are prohibited under the ban, and none appear on the approved list.
Handguns are still subject to the Consumer Protection Ordinance MA 940 CMR 16.00 ff. As explained in the submission, “copies” or “duplicates” of prohibited assault weapons include semi-automatic weapons that may contain a removable ammunition magazine and that meet one of the following criteria: Handguns: Under a LTC, the holder may carry a handgun loaded or unloaded on his person or in a motor vehicle if the handgun is under his direct control. If the handgun is not under his direct control or left unattended, it must be unloaded and placed in a locked suitcase, locked trunk or other secure container. The laws governing the transport of a firearm can be confusing. Basically, if you keep the firearm unloaded and locked in a suitcase in the trunk or rear storage space of a truck or SUV, you will comply with applicable law. The Enforcement Notice explains how the MbaO will enforce a law – the offensive weapons ban – enacted in 1998 to protect public safety. With the publication of the notice, the Attorney General hopes and expects that non-compliant arms dealers will voluntarily comply with the law in order to minimize the need for criminal or civil law enforcement. The National Gallery expects the prohibition on offensive weapons to be fully respected, as explained in the Enforcement Communication, but will apply Commonwealth laws in civil or criminal proceedings if arms dealers or individuals fail to do so. No.
The MbaO will work with arms dealers as needed to help them identify weapons that meet one or both tests of a copy or duplicate. Non-residents are not allowed to purchase weapons or ammunition in Massachusetts without a license. To obtain a licence to carry or a licence to possess handguns for a non-resident, contact the Firearms Support Services of the Criminal History Systems Commission (CSSP) (617) 660-4780.