The Conference Committee has sent official language out - h.4885

[wcorey]

So, in 131M: (says possessed, not registered)

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to an assault-style firearm lawfully possessed within the
commonwealth on August 1, 2024, by an owner in possession of a license to carry issued under
section 131 or by a holder of a license to sell under section 122; provided, that the assault-style
firearm shall be registered in accordance with section 121B and serialized in accordance with
section 121C.

Then:

Assault-style firearm”, any firearm which is:

that has a receiver that is the same as or interchangeable with the receiver of an
enumerated firearm in said clauses (d) and (e); provided further, that the firearm shall not be
considered a copy or duplicate of a firearm identified in clauses (d) and (e) if sold, owned and
registered prior to July 20, 2016
(g) “Assault-style firearm”

And this:

“Firearm”, a stun gun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, large capacity
firearm, assault-style firearm and machine gun, loaded or unloaded, which is designed to or may
readily be converted to expel a shot or bullet; the frame or receiver of any such firearm or the
unfinished frame or receiver of any such firearm; provided, however, that “firearm” shall not
include any antique firearm or permanently inoperable firearm


So I have a unfinished AR15 receiver that I bought after 2016 and do legally possess on 8/1/24. It is now considered not banned under 131M. The definition of Assault-style firearm is any "firearm" that has a receiver of an AR15. The definition of Firearm includes any unfinished receiver. So, my Unfinished, none FA10'd and legally possessed stripped receiver for an AR15 can now be built up into a 6 inch pistol with a folding brace and a flash hider. I will then have to register it down the road when that system is created.

So by this interpretation a finished/serialized stripped lower would be included also since it's legally owned, being 'not a gun'...

 

[SHOCKNAWE]

This couldn't be any more confusing, it reads that you have to own it on 8/1 not before lol

 

[JDL]

GOAL thinks campus police aren’t covered by the LE on duty exemptions even through they are sworn officers.

I imagine all security and law enforcement that isn’t explicitly exempted are all crippled with lo caps and no patrol rifles.

Glocks have been on the approved firearm roster for a long time. But firearms still have to comply with the CMR. It’s not technically a secret roster, but there is no enumerated list of firearms that meet the requirements laid out in the CMR.
Glocks also do not meet the trigger pull requirement outlined by the states consumer safety rules.

* Glocks meet the CMR requirements, but the state is adamant they don’t actually have a loaded chamber indicator. This is out of spite because Glock wouldn’t provide gun owner information to the state without a warrant or subpoena a long time ago.

 

[808]

Glocks have been on the approved firearm roster for a long time. But firearms still have to comply with the CMR. It’s not technically a secret roster, but there is no enumerated list of firearms that meet the requirements laid out in the CMR.

* Glocks meet the CMR requirements, but the state is adamant they don’t actually have a loaded chamber indicator. This is out of spite because Glock wouldn’t provide gun owner information to the state without a warrant or subpoena a long time ago.

The Shadow Systems MR920 Elite is on the approved firearms roster and that is a Glock clone. So I honestly don't get the whole Glocks aren't permitted thing. Does anyone have a good explanation on this, or is it all really a spite thing?

 

[Spooonnss]

Still unsure of an answer here. I got a ar made ma compliant, Pinned stock and welded muzzle, a few months ago. Since it was a complete rifle and not a lower, it should still be lawful to posses prior to 8/1?

 

[matt2491]

View attachment 902507
This couldn't be any more confusing, it reads that you have to own it on 8/1 not before lol

No different than the original '94 AWB. Lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. Lawfully possessed on August 1, 2024. Same type of language.

 

[Mountain]

Thanks @CrackPot for the clear and concise explanations.

 

[Atlantis]

Nothing is roster exempt under the new law.

So grandfather’d ASW can be transferred but only face to face? Yikes.

In on of his Q/A sessions, Toby from CGW seemed to think that he could transfer/resell pre 7/20 rifles after the law passed because they became grandfathered. Bummer

 

[GeorgeMason]

Randy out here doing God’s work. Thank you sir!

 

[theciviliansupply]

Another interesting (to put in politely) aspect of all of this is that, at least until October, lower receivers of non-AR / banned by name semi-auto rifles can still be sold, with the choice of how to build into a rifle/shotgun at the buyers discretion. The important thing that people recognize is that this is not a ban on semi-automatic rifles or shotguns unless it is a weapon listed by name or falls under the criteria of what is now considered a copy/clone/duplicate. And copy/clone/duplicate is largely up to interpretation at the moment.

Also: as late as the the 26th of July, the ATF was still issuing tax stamps for SBRs built on an AR lower. Will be interesting to see how they proceed (i.e. asking for proof it was lawfully owned in state by 08/01 as the transfer date could be different).

 

[CrackPot]

So this is where I’m getting confused. Does this mean anything we legally bought and possessed before 8/1 if they don’t meet the “new” criteria are now illegal?

Owned lawfully ON 8/1. If you bought before and STILL own ON 8/1 they are lawfully owned ON 8/1. You are fine.

 

[CrackPot]

View attachment 902507
This couldn't be any more confusing, it reads that you have to own it on 8/1 not before lol

Correct. Before means nothing. Owning ON 8/1 is what matters. But if you purchased it before and STILL own it ON 8/1, you are fine

 

[Dr. Claw]

The roster applies to what can be sold by dealers in MA, not what can be owned which is a wholly separate equation with its own separate rules (AWB, etc).

I think it will be interesting to see how this plays out as I heard elsewhere (and who knows what is and isn't accurate) is that all FFLs can only sell to someone out of state what they know is "allowed" in the state where they are licensed, and since its unknown with there being no roster for long guns yet, out of state dealers may just halt all sales until it is established and it is clearly defined what is, and isn't on the list.

 

[hennypenny]

Thanks for your well-intentioned efforts. I know it took time to sift through it all. We all each have our views and interpretations of what this all means. All day long we can argue and point to any given page and line the text, but we might be doing the Commonwealth's job for them. Aiding them by pointing out uncertainties. It's up to them to do their work and publish the required notices. They built this monster, they own it. End result might be worse, or they might miss some technical and minor point, unless we bring it to their attention in a public forum. Let's not take ammo away from the lawyers who might end up fighting this down the road.

 

[Fixxah]

Thanks for the post. It definitely helps.

 

[Jason Flare]

View attachment 902507
This couldn't be any more confusing, it reads that you have to own it on 8/1 not before lol

It can be lawfully possessed by an FFL and I hope they buy semi-trailer loads of them and lawfully possess them on 8/1.

 

[not new guy]

Thanks for your well-intentioned efforts. I know it took time to sift through it all. We all each have our views and interpretations of what this all means. All day long we can argue and point to any given page and line the text, but we might be doing the Commonwealth's job for them. Aiding them by pointing out uncertainties. It's up to them to do their work and publish the required notices. They built this monster, they own it. End result might be worse, or they might miss some technical and minor point, unless we bring it to their attention in a public forum. Let's not take ammo away from the lawyers who might end up fighting this down the road.

It’s a concern, but I think it’s secondary to trying to help the gun community in MA understand what they can of this and better protect themselves, or at least make informed decisions. The law is the law and it will be interpreted however it gets interpreted. The courts will have the last word.

 

[Woodsloafer]

Probably been posted before, and didn't want to start a new thread but thought it was interesting, Wyoming is kicking everyone's ass:

20 States with the Most Guns Per Capita in the US

The United States is one of the most unique countries in the world, as its constitution explicitly allows the population to own firearms. - Part 6

www.insidermonkey.com

 

[glockforlife]

@CrackPot Very helpful! Thanks!

 

[hennypenny]

Agree with your final conclusion.

 

[hennypenny]

Agree with your final conclusion.

Meant to reply to Not New Guy.

 

[LakeTrout]

We don't fight for ourselves, we fight that our children and grandchildren may live peaceful lives of freedom.

We do fight for ourselves. We deserve to live peacefully and free too.

 

[MAJoe]

Still unsure of an answer here. I got a ar made ma compliant, Pinned stock and welded muzzle, a few months ago. Since it was a complete rifle and not a lower, it should still be lawful to posses prior to 8/1?

Practical implications of H4885 for purchasing and possessing

Pardon the new thread. The main thread is cluttered and putting this in one clean post as a summary I am hoping is helpful. I don’t believe in Healey and I think GOAL has its head up it’s ass on a number of issues and this reflects that Practical implications of H4885 for purchasing and...

www.northeastshooters.com

 

[MAJoe]

The Shadow Systems MR920 Elite is on the approved firearms roster and that is a Glock clone. So I honestly don't get the whole Glocks aren't permitted thing. Does anyone have a good explanation on this, or is it all really a spite thing?

Glocks are on the roster too. It’s the AG secret requirements that end up banning them. I don't know if someone will have to comply with those requirements and if those are needed to be adhered to PMFs.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/approved-firearms-roster-june-2024/download

 

[bloodforblood556]

So Guidas posts on Facebook are nothing more than scare tactics? I’m inexperienced in all this, forgive the ignorance.

 

[Picton]

Probably been posted before, and didn't want to start a new thread but thought it was interesting, Wyoming is kicking everyone's ass:

20 States with the Most Guns Per Capita in the US

The United States is one of the most unique countries in the world, as its constitution explicitly allows the population to own firearms. - Part 6

www.insidermonkey.com

I bought my first gun there. This was more than a couple decades ago now, but yep. It’s always been a well-armed state.

It’s the kind of state where you can bring an M60 out into an erosion ditch and shoot from the hip all morning in full sight of the highway without anyone paying much attention.

 

[LakeTrout]

All day long we can argue and point to any given page and line the text, but we might be doing the Commonwealth's job for them. Aiding them by pointing out uncertainties. It's up to them to do their work and publish the required notices.

What notices are they required to publish?

 

[PappyM3]

So Guidas posts on Facebook are nothing more than scare tactics? I’m inexperienced in all this, forgive the ignorance.

I’ve stopped paying attention to him. I’ve often wondered how many people he put in jail for constitutionally protected 2A activity.

 

[Agnotology]

Well, if you live in MA and possess a MA LTC, that one provision of the new MA law is not useful to you because it doesn't apply to you.

Tons of people travel through RI to get to someplace else... even from central MA to get to SE MA. RI is a very small state.
View attachment 902495

There is zero problem driving through MA to get from CT or RI to VT, NH or ME... unless, of course, you happen to drive an electric car.

I drove through RI to get to a part of MA earlier this year to get the food trailer. Bellingham. Left my EDC home because of being in RI, if only for 5 miles, is not a chat I wanted to have.

 

[EddieZoom]

Pardon the new thread. The main thread is cluttered and putting this in one clean post as a summary I am hoping is helpful. I don’t believe in Healey and I think GOAL has its head up it’s ass on a number of issues and this reflects that



Practical implications of H4885 for purchasing and possessing

A billion “but what about me?” questions in the main thread so I figure giving a single post describing what to buy when might help.


The new law was signed on 7/25/24 according to the press release. It was done so without an emergency preamble. This means NOTHING CHANGES until it goes into effect on 10/23/24. All current laws are in effect unchanged until 10/23/24.

You can buy anything currently legal. This means any/all off roster handguns via frame transfer. This means any/all semi auto rifles or shotguns with compliance done. This means any/all frames or receivers of potential assault-style weapons. You can do this until 10/23/24.

BUT only items possessed lawfully ON (not before, on) 8/1/24 are grandfathered from being unlawful ASWs once the new law takes effect. So while you can continue to purchase AR lowers, for example, through 10/23/24, only ones lawfully possessed on 8/1/24 will continue to be legal.


So there is no rush to buy right now EXCEPT that which will be an ASW once the new law goes into effect. The rush to buy is all the ARs and similar evil semi auto rifles and shotguns that you need to get by 8/1 to be grandfathered. So buy these by midnight on Thursday 8/1. Regular off roster handguns or non CMR compliant handguns like glocks or most CZs, etc you can skip buying for now and get anytime before 10/23/24.



Now, what about all the cool stuff I now own that I need to be grandfathered. Do I register my lowers? What do I need to do? The short answer is NOTHING. The law says you need to lawfully possess on 8/1. It also says it must be registered in accordance with 121B and serialized in accordance with 121C.

121B is the NEW state wide database where every gun in the state must be registered. The state has one year to implement. Once implemented every transaction must be validated in the system and the gun registered to the new owner and unregistered from the old owner. Everyone will have another year to register everything they currently own. You will need to register what you have before you can transact it to sell if you sell before the one year and have not yet registered it. This is 121B.

You cannot register anything today to satisfy this requirement. Today we have a database of transactions, not a database of registered guns and owners. YOU DO NOT NEED TO “REGISTER” BEFORE 8/2 to be in compliance with the new law or prove anything. The fact that you recorded a transaction in the current system PROVES nothing.

You can/should follow the current law. If you “purchase or obtain” a firearm, rifle or shotgun from other than a Ma dealer, LTC holder or fid holder, then record the transaction within seven days of “purchasing or obtaining”. Do this to be legal with today’s law, not because it is in anyway needed for the new law. It does nothing relative to the new law and the future 121B which might not take effect until late 2025.

For the state to successfully charge you with a violation of the new 131M ASW violation, the burden of proof is on them to prove that the firearm was NOT lawfully possessed by a MA dealer or LTC holder on 8/1/24. Prove a negative. Good luck. In practice they run a trace request with the ATF. It will show when manufactured, when sold to the distributor, when sold to the dealer and when the 4473 transferred it to a person. If it was manufactured after 8/1/24 then you are in trouble. But if they can’t prove it could have been in the state lawfully on 8/1, they are done. In most cases there will be a 4473 showing you bought it on or before 8/1 because you did. In summary if you lawfully own it on 8/1, you are good.

Some other things go bump on 10/23/24. If you have only a FID anything semi auto you own is now illegal for you to have. This is the single biggest taking in the new law and should be an easy challenge in court. But assuming no court action, all FID holders must get rid of their semi auto guns before 10/23/24. Yup, you are getting screwed. This also hits all the FUDDs with FIDs with Ruger mini 14s and 10/22s.

On 10/23 dealers will longer be able to sell ANYTHING not on the roster. This includes all rifles, shotguns, machine guns, frames, and receivers. Yup, when it takes effect we can sell on roster handguns and nothing else. Until they add each and every possible bolt gun, pump shot gun, lever rifle, etc, we cannot sell them even though they are perfectly legal to have. Another major insanity of the new law ans kikely a mistake. They made all firearms subject to the roster in 123 (o). This was the same in the old law when a “firearm” was a not rifle or shotgun. Not a firearm is a pistol, rifle, shotgun, machine gun etc. Failing to change this language took out all sales except what is on the current handgun roster. Another easy court challenge but these take time.

So it you need a nice new shotgun to hunt this year, get it before 10/23 since dealers can no longer sell you anything.

Summary

Buy ARs and related future evil guns before 8/2. Follow the current law. Don’t “register” stuff because you think it is required or helps with the new law.

Buy everything else you want before 10/23 because dealers won’t be able to sell anything after that except boring on roster handguns.

Write letters to your state senator and rep asking why they banned you from buying a new pump shotgun for hunting turkeys this year.

FID holders get rid of all your semi auto long guns before 10/23



Side note. What about Healey and 7/20/2016. This is a red hearing. If the gun is lawful now it’s still lawful. If you think the press conference on 7/20/16 made things magically illegal, then ok, they are illegal. Otherwise the language in the new law just makes pre 7/20/16 guns that you owned and registered (side not saying registered here in the new law is impossible since we don’t have registration proving that they don’t even understand the laws we have) BEFORE 7/20/16 NOT a copy or duplicate. They are still subject to the feature test which they will fail so all grandfathering comes from the 8/1 language in 131M. And it says BEFORE. All the guns people rushed to buy ON 7/20/16 don’t count. Ha. Stupid.

It adds up to a nothing burger. If it’s legal on 8/1 it’s still legal after the new law. The Healey language changes nothing. Maybe it makes your gun MORE legal, but I can’t come up with an actual example that it impacts. Healey sycophants like Jason Guida says it proves Healey was right and all post 2016 are illegal. Bah.

As clear and complete as anything I've read on the topic. Thanks.