Mass safe storage law

[Shprockets]

I already have a gun safe and I was planning on getting some more tools than it can take.

From what I can tell, as long as the safety device (trigger lock, gun lock, etc…) renders the tool useless it’s ok to store a firearms outside of a safe. Does that sound correct?

 

[John4166]

I believe that a trigger/gun lock is enough to comply with the law.

 

[unshuffled]

I'm not a huge fan off just the trigger gun locks or the loop locks. Lost a key to one on a rifle, put pliers and either side and got ready for a huge effort. Snapped instantly, very little resistance.

Plus, if found, it can be easily taken and then removed at the thief's convenience later.

 

[allen-1]

I already have a gun safe and I was planning on getting some more tools than it can take.

From what I can tell, as long as the safety device (trigger lock, gun lock, etc…) renders the tool useless it’s ok to store a firearms outside of a safe. Does that sound correct?

Get another safe. Twice as big as you think you need.

For example, among my other pistols, I started with one Glock - bought as a reaction to CT's 2014 laws - I currently have 11.

I started with (3) AR's - also bought as a reaction to CT's 2014 laws - I currently have 8, plus (2) AR pistols.

One shotgun - yup, five now.

See a trend?

 

[Shprockets]

I agree, I first bought a 10 gun safe thinking I would never have more than 10 and here I am.

 

[unshuffled]

Get another safe. Twice as big as you think you need.

For example, among my other pistols, I started with one Glock - bought as a reaction to CT's 2014 laws - I currently have 11.

I started with (3) AR's - also bought as a reaction to CT's 2014 laws - I currently have 8, plus (2) AR pistols.

One shotgun - yup, five now.

See a trend?

Perfect. Same here, added a second larger safe in the basement for overflow and ammo. Put all the ammo in cans, airtight, well stored, stackable and out of temptation.

 

[MAJoe]

Keep in mind Mass law vs “massprudence”. Depends on your risk tolerance and living situation, but yes trigger or cable lock is all you need to comply with the law.

If you have other things in your safe taking up space like cleaning kits, ammo, mags, store those separately. Ammo goes great in a locking tool box or file cabinet, and the law is much less stringent (it’s a fire code CMR vs MGL). Keep in mind preban >10 round mags need to be kept away from unlicensed people (I can find the cite if needed).

 

[Miguelito]

I hadn't heard that about preban mags. I just keep most of my spare mags (beyond two per firearm, or so) in an unlocked box outside my safe. Ammo in a locked.toolbox and a locked between the studs homemade safe (that I used before I bought a twelve gun safe that currently holds about 25, some of which are truly micro handguns).

 

[unshuffled]

Keep in mind Mass law vs “massprudence”. Depends on your risk tolerance and living situation, but yes trigger or cable lock is all you need to comply with the law.

If you have other things in your safe taking up space like cleaning kits, ammo, mags, store those separately. Ammo goes great in a locking tool box or file cabinet, and the law is much less stringent (it’s a fire code CMR vs MGL). Keep in mind preban >10 round mags need to be kept away from unlicensed people (I can find the cite if needed).

If it's not a pain I'd like to see the laws. My prebans are in a safe, but I hadn't heard of that one before. Also anything on the fire laws for storing ammo / amount of ammo, if you've come across it.

 

[Broc Tuah]

I already have a gun safe and I was planning on getting some more tools than it can take.

From what I can tell, as long as the safety device (trigger lock, gun lock, etc…) renders the tool useless it’s ok to store a firearms outside of a safe. Does that sound correct?

That is correct. A trigger lock for a rifle, you can throw it in the closet.

A handgun needs a locked container, but thst locked container doesn't have to be a safe. You can store them in a locked hard box.

 

[Broc Tuah]

Keep in mind preban >10 round mags need to be kept away from unlicensed people (I can find the cite if needed).

What?

 

[looser38]

I'm not a huge fan off just the trigger gun locks or the loop locks. Lost a key to one on a rifle, put pliers and either side and got ready for a huge effort. Snapped instantly, very little resistance.

Plus, if found, it can be easily taken and then removed at the thief's convenience later.

Have you seen how quickly some safes can be forced open?
Any "anti theft" device or enclosure is not much more than a deterrent, and a feel good measure to satisfy "the laws".
Short answer is yes, trigger locks, cable locks, etc do legally cover your ass.

 

[unshuffled]

Have you seen how quickly some safes can be forced open?
Any "anti theft" device or enclosure is not much more than a deterrent, and a feel good measure to satisfy "the laws".
Short answer is yes, trigger locks, cable locks, etc do legally cover your ass.

I have and agree, the cheapest can be opened with a screwdriver. I use better than that, bolt them down, and put the right hand door against a left wall to stop leverage with a prybar. Given time, they could get through, but where I live, smash and grab is about all we get and it's rare.

 

[CATI]

What?

That is correct. A trigger lock for a rifle, you can throw it in the closet.

A handgun needs a locked container, but thst locked container doesn't have to be a safe. You can store them in a locked hard box.

Where do you see locked container for handguns?
I see locked container for stun guns
I only see locked for pistols/rifles no contrainer

 

[Broc Tuah]

Where do you see locked container for handguns?
I see locked container for stun guns
I only see locked for pistols/rifles no contrainer

Even better. No container.

 

[Broc Tuah]

Have you seen how quickly some safes can be forced open?
Any "anti theft" device or enclosure is not much more than a deterrent, and a feel good measure to satisfy "the laws".
Short answer is yes, trigger locks, cable locks, etc do legally cover your ass.

Correct. However, a safe will stop an unprepared crackhead, a cable locked rifle under a bed won't.

Someone that knows you have a safe and is prepared, they can cut it in less than 5 minutes, YouTube is full of videos.

 

[CATI]

Even better. No container.

Correct. However, a safe will stop an unprepared crackhead, a cable locked rifle under a bed won't.

Someone that knows you have a safe and is prepared, they can cut it in less than 5 minutes, YouTube is full of videos.

Yeah.. It all doesn't really seem to matter. You can have a vault like the Lowell guy and still go down for storage
In the sake of organization/access of course it is probably best to have a safe/safes

 

[free]

A handgun needs a locked container, but thst locked container doesn't have to be a safe. You can store them in a locked hard box.

What?

 

[In God We Trust]

If it's not a pain I'd like to see the laws. My prebans are in a safe, but I hadn't heard of that one before. Also anything on the fire laws for storing ammo / amount of ammo, if you've come across it.

I guess I’m a criminal because mine are not in a safe either. Suck it, Maura.

 

[MAJoe]

What?

This is where I got that from @unshuffled

Unloaded magazine storage at home

Hi all, I searched for this topic but can't find anything...but I am SURE it has been asked before...so here it is again. Do I need to lock the unloaded magazine inside the house? I locked my firearms and ammos, wondering do I need to lock the unloaded mags as well. Thanks! Alan

www.northeastshooters.com

General Law - Part IV, Title I, Chapter 269, Section 10

malegislature.gov

Chapter 269 - Section 10(m)

m) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) or (h), any person not exempted by statute who knowingly has in his possession, or knowingly has under his control in a vehicle, a large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device therefor who does not possess a valid license to carry firearms issued under section 131 or 131F of chapter 140, except as permitted or otherwise provided under this section or chapter 140, shall be punished by imprisonment in a state prison for not less than two and one-half years nor more than ten years. The possession of a valid firearm identification card issued under section 129B shall not be a defense for a violation of this subsection; provided, however, that any such person charged with violating this paragraph and holding a valid firearm identification card shall not be subject to any mandatory minimum sentence imposed by this paragraph.

 

[Mark from ?]

I agree, I first bought a 10 gun safe thinking I would never have more than 10 and here I am.

I used to think a big heavy safe was the way to go. But I just buy the cheaper 150 dollar ones and bolt them in real good.

Main reason.....if you have to move...the safe is a bxtch to move, and those small 6 gun steel cabinets are easy to put places as well, like a closet or something.

 

[MAJoe]

If it's not a pain I'd like to see the laws. My prebans are in a safe, but I hadn't heard of that one before. Also anything on the fire laws for storing ammo / amount of ammo, if you've come across it.

https://www.sec.state.ma.us/reg_pub/pdf/500/527013.pdf

This is the section on ammo.

CMR 527 13.04 (1)(e)

Exempt quantities of small arms ammunition, primers, smokeless propellants and black powder shall be stored in original containers and such containers shall be stored in a locked cabinet, closet or box when not in use.

Supporting my comment earlier, the storage requirements for ammo are more relaxed. I’d free up my safe space to throw ammo in a locked cabinet before I put guns around the house with a cable lock.

 

[Reptile]

This is where I got that from @unshuffled

Unloaded magazine storage at home

Hi all, I searched for this topic but can't find anything...but I am SURE it has been asked before...so here it is again. Do I need to lock the unloaded magazine inside the house? I locked my firearms and ammos, wondering do I need to lock the unloaded mags as well. Thanks! Alan

www.northeastshooters.com

General Law - Part IV, Title I, Chapter 269, Section 10

malegislature.gov

Chapter 269 - Section 10(m)

What if your wife does not have a LTC and she lives in the same house as pre bans on a shelf?

 

[MAJoe]

What if your wife does not have a LTC and she lives in the same house as pre bans on a shelf?

I’m not a cop nor a lawyer, but it’s easy enough to keep them locked up somewhere and not have to worry about it. The question that always arises “is there any case law regarding this” and “who’s gotten jammed up for ONLY leaving mags lying around???”. It would have to be a pretty unfortunate set of circumstances to get jammed up for this, but I think technically your wife shouldn’t have access to any pre bans.

I’m sure it’ll be called “pants shitting hysterics, another Mass gun owner afraid of their own shadow”, but that’s how I read it and it’s not an inconvenience for me to lock them up.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

What?

>10 rounds magazines require a LTC in the DPRM.

 

[Broc Tuah]

>10 rounds magazines require a LTC in the DPRM.

This State has so many retarded laws.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

This State has so many retarded laws.

"Members of the jury, your first task will be to determine if weapon the suspect was allegedly carrying meets the legal definition of a zoobow...."

 

[Mesatchornug]

This State has so many retarded laws.

I offer as hypothetical:

Until last year, there was still the division of type A and B LTCs. Under a B, you could have "large cap" rifles and shotguns, but not handguns. Which means you must be able to have large cap magazines for those guns.

If you have a PCC that accepts Glock mags, but no Glock - would you be allowed pre-bans for it?

Meanwhile, I've heard guidance that an otherwise large cap rifle (e.g., mini-14) is treated as not, if you only have 10 rounders (making it ok on an FID). Would that apply to a Glock pistol on an LTC-B?

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Meanwhile, I've heard guidance that an otherwise large cap rifle (e.g., mini-14) is treated as not, if you only have 10 rounders (making it ok on an FID). Would that apply to a Glock pistol on an LTC-B?

The GCAB (MA gun control advisory board) publishes a list of what is considered "high capacity and, while not enshrined in law, has the effect as it it were.

 

[namedpipes]

I'm not a huge fan off just the trigger gun locks or the loop locks. Lost a key to one on a rifle, put pliers and either side and got ready for a huge effort. Snapped instantly, very little resistance.

Plus, if found, it can be easily taken and then removed at the thief's convenience later.

If the goal is compliance with the law, the crappy locks are sufficient. If the goal is preventing theft, they aren't.