Moving to MA - Can I shoot my guns at a range pre-LTC if an LTC holder brings me to the range?

[pewpewlefty]

Search didn’t bring any results so I thought I’d ask...

I’m moving to MA in three weeks. I’ll be jumping through the hoops to get licensed, but I’d really like to keep shooting my guns while I’m waiting for my LTC. Can I go to a range with an LTC holder and bring my guns before I get my LTC, or will I only be able to shoot what my friend has?

 

[milktree]

Short, pragmatic answer: Hand your guns to your friend until you're licensed. He can bring them and you to the range and you can both shoot them. But you cannot be in possession of them without being "under the supervision" of someone who is licensed.

You do *NOT* want to get caught with guns without being licensed, that will mess up your everything.

 

[pewpewlefty]

OK, good. That’s what I was hoping for.

So just for clarification: They will always be locked up at my house. Right before leaving for the range, hand them to him directly from the safe so he is in possession of them for our entire range trip. He only hands them back to me when we’re back at my house, at the safe.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

Keep in mind that the town/city you move into will determine what restrictions you get on your license. Choose wisely.

Bob

 

[pewpewlefty]

Choose wisely.

Yup. Luckily the town we’re moving to first (that we have no choice of) is a green town. Later on this year we’ll be moving again, but my wife is on the same page. Green towns/cities only.

 

[DavidC77]

OK, good. That’s what I was hoping for.

So just for clarification: They will always be locked up at my house. Right before leaving for the range, hand them to him directly from the safe so he is in possession of them for our entire range trip. He only hands them back to me when we’re back at my house, at the safe.

Check with the Range...

A lot of ranges will not allow a non-member/guest to shoot at that range because of insurance reasons even if they are with a member...

.

 

[fencer]

I am sure you already looked, but....

MOVING to Massachusetts? Read Here First!.

 

[nstassel]

Two points. First you may have guns or magazines that are verboten in Massachusetts. Second you're aware that even in your home a license or fid card is required to possess a firearm. I'd try to avoid a scenario where the cops ask you if you own guns when you go in for your ltc interview and then ask to be shown where they are.

 

[DavidC77]

Second you're aware that even in your home a license or fid card is required to possess a firearm. .

Ya to that point I would even have your wife get a LTC...

I had my wife get a LTC because of that same reason...

Say I'm carrying and I need to go into a place that doesn't allow guns in there place... I then have to leave my gun in the vehicle that my wife is in... She is then illegally in possession of a firearm because she was alone in the vehicle without a LTC...

So have your wife get a LTC also to be safe...

Welcome to the screwed up CommyWealth Of MA!!!
.

 

[one-eyed Jack]

Two points. First you may have guns or magazines that are verboten in Massachusetts. Second you're aware that even in your home a license or fid card is required to possess a firearm. I'd try to avoid a scenario where the cops ask you if you own guns when you go in for your ltc interview and then ask to be shown where they are.

The only way that they know what you have is that you tell them. Keep your mouth shut. Jack.

 

[sbi]

So just for clarification: They will always be locked up at my house. Right before leaving for the range, hand them to him directly from the safe so he is in possession of them for our entire range trip.

NO!! You cannot be in a possession of a firearm in MA without a license. Firearms locked in "your house" means you are in a possession of them.

 

[milktree]

OK, good. That’s what I was hoping for.

So just for clarification: They will always be locked up at my house. Right before leaving for the range, hand them to him directly from the safe so he is in possession of them for our entire range trip. He only hands them back to me when we’re back at my house, at the safe.

You're allowed to move into MA with guns and get a license, but any chance of using that as a defense goes out the window as soon as you take them to a range.

Legality aside, what you're proposing is a VERY BAD IDEA.™

Please note that I'm not trying to explain the actual law, but rather what you should do to avoid getting boned by the (misapplication of the) law

Leave your guns at your friend's house, do not keep them at your house, do not keep ammunition at your house.

Mass. gun law is not just a can of worms, it's a can of angry hornets and scorpions.

 

[pewpewlefty]

Check with the Range...

A lot of ranges will not allow a non-member/guest to shoot at that range

Good point. I already did that with one range last year when I was on vacation and went shooting with him.

 

[pewpewlefty]

I am sure you already looked, but....

MOVING to Massachusetts? Read Here First!.

Yup, thanks!

 

[pewpewlefty]

Two points. First you may have guns or magazines that are verboten in Massachusetts. Second you're aware that even in your home a license or fid card is required to possess a firearm. I'd try to avoid a scenario where the cops ask you if you own guns when you go in for your ltc interview and then ask to be shown where they are.

First point: Yup, I’ve been in the process of making everything MA-compliant. Already converted my ARs to fixed-mag with Dark Storm lowers.

Second point: Good info. I’ll be sure to be in compliance for everything, and plan on consulting with GOAL to make sure I don’t skip a beat.

 

[pewpewlefty]

So have your wife get a LTC also to be safe.

Decinitely. I actually told her that last week, and she agreed.

 

[pewpewlefty]

NO!! You cannot be in a possession of a firearm in MA without a license. Firearms locked in "your house" means you are in a possession of them.

That’s so confusing. I was under the impression you have 60 days to get your LTC from the day you move into the state, and there’s a grace period. If this isn’t the case, how can someone moving in be in compliance with the law if they already own firearms?

I could store them at my friend’s house, but wouldn’t that mean I’d have to fill out an FA-10 for each gun (which I’d rather not do)?

 

[pewpewlefty]

You're allowed to move into MA with guns and get a license, but any chance of using that as a defense goes out the window as soon as you take them to a range.

Legality aside, what you're proposing is a VERY BAD IDEA.™

I’m reconsidering my approach now. I think I might just suck it up and let my skill take a hit due to lack of practice and only shoot my buddy’s stuff until I’m licensed.

I’ll consult a lawyer before I move so I know I’m doing the right thing. Thanks for the info and making me rethink my approach.

 

[meh]

That’s so confusing. I was under the impression you have 60 days to get your LTC from the day you move into the state, and there’s a grace period. If this isn’t the case, how can someone moving in be in compliance with the law if they already own firearms?

I could store them at my friend’s house, but wouldn’t that mean I’d have to fill out an FA-10 for each gun (which I’d rather not do)?

The absolute certainty with which the misinformation was supplied to you was impressive.

FWIW, IANAL, but ...

You do have 60 days under General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 140, Section 129C , paragraph (j). That is to say, once you move in, you are exempt for 60 days from the requirement to have a license to possess firearms (that are legal to own) in Massachusetts.

Take your approved safety course and apply as soon as you can.

 

[straightshooterjake]

I’m reconsidering my approach now. I think I might just suck it up and let my skill take a hit due to lack of practice and only shoot my buddy’s stuff until I’m licensed.

I’ll consult a lawyer before I move so I know I’m doing the right thing. Thanks for the info and making me rethink my approach.

Try to get advice from a lawyer who is known on NES and who specializes in Mass firearms law. If you do not ask a specialist, you will get wrong answers on firearms.

 

[rogzballz]

Buy everything you want that's not on the AG list before moving here, then you can transfer them in...

 

[Racenet]

Try to get advice from a lawyer who is known on NES and who specializes in Mass firearms law. If you do not ask a specialist, you will get wrong answers on firearms.

Every MA person here always runs to a lawyer for what ever reason they can dream up. Doesn't anyone use common sense anymore?

You are moving to MA and have firearms. Pack them up, make your move, apply for your LTC right away and store them away in a very safe place until your LTC is obtained. Most of all, stop all of the "Hey, look at me!" stuff, which only brings problems to your doorstep. That always seems to be the required MO.

 

[M1911]

OK, good. That’s what I was hoping for.

So just for clarification: They will always be locked up at my house. Right before leaving for the range, hand them to him directly from the safe so he is in possession of them for our entire range trip. He only hands them back to me when we’re back at my house, at the safe.

If they are in your house they are in your possession. Unless you are within the 60-day grace period after you moved to the state, then that alone is a violation.

It is unlikely that you will be able to get licensed within the 60-day grace period. Until you are licensed, I suggest that you either store your guns and ammo at a licensed buddy’s house or out of state.

 

[pewpewlefty]

Buy everything you want that's not on the AG list before moving here, then you can transfer them in...

Already done

 

[pewpewlefty]

Every MA person here always runs to a lawyer for what ever reason they can dream up. Doesn't anyone use common sense anymore?

I thought straightshooterjake's comment was good advice. I see no problem consulting an appropriate professional to make sure I'm in compliance, especially considering how convoluted MA firearms laws are. If you look at how wildly different the answers are in this thread you'd realize where my aim to "make sure" is true. I understand that you don't have the same sense of caution seeing as you're in NH, and maybe that's why you don't see why MA residents tend to be so cautious.

Most of all, stop all of the "Hey, look at me!" stuff, which only brings problems to your doorstep. That always seems to be the required MO.

I really hope you didn't think that was the intention of my original post. I want to make sure the skills I've built up don't degrade, that's all. If I go a month without shooting, the results are terrible. I'm just trying to mitigate that risk.

 

[meh]

I want to make sure the skills I've built up don't degrade, that's all. If I go a month without shooting, the results are terrible. I'm just trying to mitigate that risk.

It is true that you will probably not succeed in getting licensed within your 60 day window, so you will at the very least need a contingency plan as day 60 approaches, which as has been suggested in your case, would be to have your friend store them. I personally don't see what the legal problem is with putting your firearms under the control of your friend for a joint range trip during that 60 day window, i.e. he transports both you and the guns to a range, and at the range you only possess them under his supervision. Even after the 60 day window is over, while he is storing the guns as you await your license, I don't see why he can't bring your guns to the range with him so that you can shoot them there under his supervision. Maybe I'm missing something in the law.

 

[M1911]

It is true that you will probably not succeed in getting licensed within your 60 day window, so you will at the very least need a contingency plan as day 60 approaches, which as has been suggested in your case, would be to have your friend store them. I personally don't see what the legal problem is with putting your firearms under the control of your friend for a joint range trip during that 60 day window, i.e. he transports both you and the guns to a range, and at the range you only possess them under his supervision. Even after the 60 day window is over, while he is storing the guns as you await your license, I don't see why he can't bring your guns to the range with him so that you can shoot them there under his supervision. Maybe I'm missing something in the law.

You aren’t missing anything. There is a specific exception in the law that allows unlicensed persons to possess a firearm while under the supervision of an LTC holder. IANAL, but I don’t see any problem here.

I’m sure an attorney like Jason Gouda or Neil Tassel could provide advice on this subject for very short dollars.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

I would suggest taking one of the Mass law classes which cover Massachusetts law specifically. There is a training forum here and a variety of trainers. I took Lens’ class and it was excellent.

2A Training

Bob

 

[Racenet]

I thought straightshooterjake's comment was good advice. I see no problem consulting an appropriate professional to make sure I'm in compliance, especially considering how convoluted MA firearms laws are. If you look at how wildly different the answers are in this thread you'd realize where my aim to "make sure" is true. I understand that you don't have the same sense of caution seeing as you're in NH, and maybe that's why you don't see why MA residents tend to be so cautious.

I really hope you didn't think that was the intention of my original post. I want to make sure the skills I've built up don't degrade, that's all. If I go a month without shooting, the results are terrible. I'm just trying to mitigate that risk.

You are new here, so you really haven't seen nor really grasp the whole MA MO thing. Give it time, you'll see.