MA State Police visit after online ammo purchase

[71ksylark]

I hate to post vague, 4th-hand sounding info, but a close friend of mine (valid LTC holder) was just visited by 2 MA state police officers at his house after he had a few thousand rounds delivered from a common online retailer. He didn't let them in nor did they have a warrant, but apparently they are getting tipped off by UPS as to these deliveries and "following up".

Use caution when having stuff delivered to a MA address!

 

[Palladin]

find the name & addy of the UPS guy and bang his wife

 

[radioman]

Last time I heard of UPS tipping off the cops, the body count was quite high.

 

[not new guy]

What did they want?

 

[travx]

My UPS driver once delivered two very heavy packages that required a signature. As I was signing, he asked, "So. What do you shoot?" I told him that those boxes were 5.56. He said, "Like an AR?" I responded, "Yep. Exactly like that." He said, "Cool" and simply left. Your friend's UPS driver sounds like an @sshole.

 

[not new guy]

I'd be surprised if it was the actual driver who called the cops. I'd be asking him about it directly next time he came by in any case.

We need more info, and more examples of this happening if they exist. If UPS is doing this they need to fear getting Bud Lighted.

 

[Garys]

IF this happened, it wasn't the driver but further up the delivery chain, maybe at the point of origin.

My UPS driver once delivered two very heavy packages that required a signature. As I was signing, he asked, "So. What do you shoot?" I told him that those boxes were 5.56. He said, "Like an AR?" I responded, "Yep. Exactly like that." He said, "Cool" and simply left. Your friend's UPS driver sounds like an @sshole.

 

[Mesatchornug]

I'd be surprised if it was the actual driver who called the cops. I'd be asking him about it directly next time he came by in any case.

We need more info, and more examples of this happening if they exist. If UPS is doing this they need to fear getting Bud Lighted.

This.

This info needs to travel up all levels of UPS, to all [firearms] vendors that are shipping with them, and to the usual friendly media outlets (TFB, Jared, et al.).

But first, it needs to be substantiated. No "uncle's cousin's best friend's hair dressers," but "Jim, from Dingleberry, MA." This isn't a dig on the OP, but these kinds of rumors wreak havoc if they can't be supported.

 

[hillman]

I don't buy it. Everybody knows the MA state police don't do anything but highway details and speed traps on the pike.

 

[hillman]

Somebody go over to masscops and ask about it. Make sure you're clear in that you're not a cop when you ask. It makes them much friendlier and more likely to answer your questions.

 

[Bigfudge16]

Somebody go over to masscops and ask about it. Make sure you're clear in that you're not a cop when you ask. It makes them much friendlier and more likely to answer your questions.

thats a thing?

 

[Palladin]

thats a thing?

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[hillman]

thats a thing?

The only place where you need a thicker skin than NES. Tribalism taken to the extreme.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

IF this happened, it wasn't the driver but further up the delivery chain, maybe at the point of origin.

Not a doubt in my mind that it happened. Every package is scanned and recorded by computer. It’s a data miners wet dream.

If you sign up for the USPS informed delivery you can see a picture of what is coming in the mail.

 

[pupchow]

It just might be time for me to renew my TSU membership.

 

[Mark from MA]

What did they want?

This.....good friend of yours....but no specific details.......why so vague?

They showed up and asked what? What were their questions?

My good friend's brother is MSP and I know him well, and he would NOT do this, not that I don't think Healy might have a goon squad.

 

[Drix]

I don't buy it, if your friend didn't have a ltc maybe, but the ltc is easy to look up in connection to an investigation.

"Hey we got a tip Jimmy's getting ammo in the mail!"
"Does Jimmy have a ltc?"
"Yes Sir"
"Whats the problem?"

 

[rogersmithiii]

What did they say? Why were they there? I can't imagine the SP having the time to show up at every person's house that orders a couple of thousand rounds of ammo.

 

[Mark from MA]

I don't buy it, if your friend didn't have a ltc maybe, but the ltc is easy to look up in connection to an investigation.

"Hey we got a tip Jimmy's getting ammo in the mail!"
"Does Jimmy have a ltc?"
"Yes Sir"
"Whats the problem?"

This.....get a few heavy packages from an online ammo vendor without an LTC and they will likely be showing up with a warrant maybe. Town and MSP probably.

But odds are they are contacting the town police first about it. They will certainly know beforehand if you have an LTC.

 

[bottle-cap]

OP’s third post in 6 years. Welcome aboard.

 

[50wt]

What did they say? Why were they there? I can't imagine the SP having the time to show up at every person's house that orders a couple of thousand rounds of ammo.

Who said they showed at up everyones house?


I dont doubt that if you ordered a few thousand rounds with non discreet packaging , that someone will get tipped off.

 

[not new guy]

Not a doubt in my mind that it happened. Every package is scanned and recorded by computer. It’s a data miners wet dream.

If you sign up for the USPS informed delivery you can see a picture of what is coming in the mail.

Nobody doubts the carrier being aware of the shipment's details, it's a couple of state troopers knocking on your door that needs to be validated and then explained.

 

[DispositionMatrix]

Nobody doubts the carrier being aware of the shipment's details, it's a couple of state troopers knocking on your door that needs to be validated and then explained.

There should be images or video.

 

[not new guy]

There's certainly no need at all to be cagey talking about it.

 

[Mark from MA]

Nobody doubts the carrier being aware of the shipment's details, it's a couple of state troopers knocking on your door that needs to be validated and then explained.

This.....typically.....some vetting would be done before going to the door.

There is no doubt people have been dimed out by postal services.....usually in most cases....they have no LTC.

 

[not new guy]

There is no doubt people have been dimed out by postal services.....usually in most cases....they have no LTC.

But how does the carrier know if the recipient is licensed or not? What gets reported to the cops? Everything? That seems crazy.

 

[allen-1]

My UPS driver once delivered two very heavy packages that required a signature. As I was signing, he asked, "So. What do you shoot?" I told him that those boxes were 5.56. He said, "Like an AR?" I responded, "Yep. Exactly like that." He said, "Cool" and simply left. Your friend's UPS driver sounds like an @sshole.

My UPS guy regularly delivers reloading components. It's pretty obvious what the contents are - and he's a member of my local gun club. I would say "nobody here gives a f***"; but I'm sure there must be somebody, somewhere around here who cares - I just haven't run into them.

It's SUCH a different atmosphere here as opposed to New England.

My PCP is a member of my gun club; primarily skeet.
My dentist is a member of my gun club; primarily long distance rifle and some skeet.
Saw my chiropractor this morning, he shoots IDPA/USPSA with me.

 

[safetyfirst2125]

What did they want?

Probably "just to talk".

 

[KH56010]

My UPS guy carries a a 365 and my mailman used to leave a treat on the box of "gold" for my dog. Montana Gold, but still gold.

 

[rogersmithiii]

There should be images or video.

So what is the smart response to police showing up at your door?

Be polite, ask if they have a warrant to enter, ask if you are being detained, and if the answer is no to both questions, politely wish them a good day, and close the door?