Preban 1994 Rifle

[CapeCod Shooter_56]

Hi all quick question I’m thinking of buying a pre 1994 awb rifle so I don’t have to abide by the two features test. Is that still a thing or does pre 1994 mean nothing now with the recent change in mass law? TIA

 

[MAJoe]

Means nothing unless the rifle was physically in MA on 8/1/24 in possession of a dealer or LTC holder.

 

[CapeCod Shooter_56]

The Preban rifle was at an ffl in ma prior to 8/1 so can I have collapsing stock, non pinned muzzle brake etc. because it was pre 1994 as well

 

[matt2491]

Essentially no difference between pre-94 and 8/1 anymore.

Pre-94 basically only matters for high cap mags now.

 

[fencer]

Means nothing unless..... you give a frog's fat ass

FIFY

 

[not new guy]

Is this still a “depends who you ask” situation?

 

[CapeCod Shooter_56]

I think so some people say 94s can have more than 2 evil features but can no longer be imported into the state 2016s have to meet the two feature test to have detachable mag again no more imports, after 2016 but before 8/2 needs a fixed mag to have evil features that’s how I’ve been interpreting it when I’ve been reading goal.org

 

[not new guy]

So GOAL is still saying that?

Edit (from the GOAL site "Revised 10/21/2024"):

Grandfathering – The key phrase is “lawfully possessed”.

• Chapter 140, 131M has been changed from “lawfully possessed” to “lawfully possessed in Massachusetts”. The importance of this change is that after August 1, 2024, any firearm meeting the new Assault Style Firearm definition is banned from being imported into Massachusetts. This includes the “pre-ban” firearms pre-September 14, 1994.
• Because of the terminology used, it appears that the only guns grandfathered after the July 20, 2016 are the those that meet the new two feature test, such as the Tavor. So, because of the “lawfully possessed” and how that will be interpreted, it appears that there are now two different groups of guns that must be dealt with.

1. Copies and duplicates of the enumerated list are only grandfathered if they were acquired prior to July 20, 2016. (The Attorney General's "2016 Assault Weapons Advisory" has now become law.)
2. Any gun that is not on the enumerated list, or their copies and duplicates, but now meets the new two feature test and is lawfully possessed in Massachusetts on August 1, 2024. We believe this group also includes the pre-September 13, 2024 assault weapons.

 

[CapeCod Shooter_56]

Unless I’m interpreting that wrong

 

[Picton]

I think so some people say 94s don’t have to meet the new feature test but can no longer be imported into the state 2016s have to meet the two feature test to have detachable mag again no imports, after 2016 but before 8/2 needs a fixed mag that’s how I’ve been interpreting it when I’ve been reading goal.org

*sigh*

Buy the rifle if you like the price. Use it responsibly and enjoy it.

None of this bullshit matters. Nobody, including the legislature and the cops, has a firm answer to any of these questions. Nobody will arrest and charge you for any of this crap, unless you're behaving in a way that forces them to arrest and charge you. So don't behave that way.

 

[CapeCod Shooter_56]

That’s kinda what I’ve figured I just don’t what’s legal and what isn’t so I’m doing my best here to be above board by going with a pre 94 rifle instead of just buying a poverty pony lower that was pre 8/2

 

[not new guy]

GOAL taking and posting this interpretation (without qualifying it as only one possible interpretation) isn't helpful if it's not in fact what the law says. Hopefully nobody ever finds themselves having it used against them in court.

 

[Picton]

That’s kinda what I’ve figured I just don’t what’s legal and what isn’t so I’m doing my best here to be above board by going with a pre 94 rifle instead of just buying a poverty pony lower that was pre 8/2

Yes. A pre-94 rifle is the only way to be completely confident, probably.

That said? Over the past few months, I've decided I no longer care all that much about the 1994 date. Now, if I want a folding stock on my rifle (of any vintage), I just put a folding stock on my rifle. Life's too short.

 

[1903Collector]

That’s kinda what I’ve figured I just don’t what’s legal and what isn’t so I’m doing my best here to be above board by going with a pre 94 rifle instead of just buying a poverty pony lower that was pre 8/2

Neither does anyone else!

 

[Steve600]

I can’t believe the idiots in Boston were unable to write a law that people can understand.

 

[p.tice]

That’s kinda what I’ve figured I just don’t what’s legal and what isn’t so I’m doing my best here to be above board by going with a pre 94 rifle instead of just buying a poverty pony lower that was pre 8/2

If you're seriously worried about this (which you shouldn't be) then give it a few weeks. By mid January we'll know whether or not the Supreme Court will rescue us. They have a few cases before them and signs the writing on the wall says they're gunna make a favorable ruling. If they do, it will finally rid us of these illegal rifle bans. Don't shell out thousands for a "pre-ban" rifle that barely means anything now, and certainly wont if bans are stripped.

 

[nstassel]

I can’t believe the idiots in Boston were unable to write a law that people can understand.

That's not a bug it's a feature.