What restrictions are there in Mass on Antique Firearms ?

[SalemCat]

There are a great many Firearms manufactured in 1898 or before, that the ATF has ruled are not really "Firearms".

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/industry/0501-firearms-top-10-qas.pdf

Does Mass agree with this, or are there additional twists involved ?

One thing I know, is that in Mass you may not posess any ammunition component without an FID, minimum. So without an FID or better firing it would be out of the question.

But if an Antique Firearm is not really a "Firearm", then there would be no FA-10, no limit on how many a person could sell from their collection, etc.

 

[Independence Arms]

Good to go.

 

[Sinitron]

I asked the authority the same question about an 1865 item, I was told it did not fall under MA MGL - therefore was not part of "the system".

 

[WallHack]

Good to go.

I had a co-worker tell me that antique arms aren't dangerous, unless you spill and light the powder accidentally. Now I want to buy a cheap old black powder rifle and fire lengths of chain out of it, pirate-style. YMMV, and post pics of what you get!

 

[SalemCat]

I want a replica LeMat.

 

[45collector]

I have an old double barrel damascus 12 gauge that I'd love to take pheasant hunting, but trying to find already-loaded rounds for it is a bitch (in my area at least). It's a Belgium-made gun from the late 1800's. It's heavy as hell and has no swivel mounts but I think it would be cool just to bring an antique gun hunting once in a while.

 

[The Goose]

I collect and shoot a fair number of antique firearms (oops, I mean non-firearms). Typically, the ones I have purchased locally required no more then a drivers license and no more paperwork then a receipt. The ones I have purchased on line have been shipped to me through the mail without issue. Having said that, MA always has a way of gumming up the works. A lot of confusion still exists. I have been in local shops that have wanted to do some half way measure to cover their butts, which I declined. There are also individuals who will not ship to MA because of what they have heard.

 

[kalash]

Excuse the bump, but are antique "firearms" required to be locked up or can I just throw one up in my wall to act as a decoration whenever I'm not taking it to the range? I'm thinking that if MGL don't apply to this antique artifact, no lock requirement, but in MA who knows. Ammo and such would need to be locked away, I assume.

 

[SalemCat]

I'm no lawyer, but I do not believe either pre-1900 Firearms, nor ammunition of any sort require being locked up. (Mass Fire Codes require Ammo be kept in its original containers.)

The odd thing is the ATF defines Antiques as 1898 and before, whereas Mass defines Antiques as 1899 and before. We get an extra year !

That said, I'd lock up both. There are many legal Antiques that can be quite deadly; no one wants to court a terrible accident.

And there is always the possibility some EMT, Nurse, LEO, or whatever could be in your home unexpectedly, see that old S&W on the wall, and cause trouble for you.

That said, a Flintlock over the Mantle is unlikely to cause an issue, IMHO.

Incredibly, even Glass Display Cases are legal for any Firearm, as long as the Case is Locked. I've often thought those Glass-Topped Coffee Tables that have a Display Area under the Glass would be terrific in my Living Room, and would be perfectly legal with even a small Padlock and Brass Locking Tabs that can be purchased at any Hardware Store. My wife, however, does not think this a good idea at all [sad2].

 

[Len-2A Training]

Although legal to hang on the wall (no locks required), don't expect most LEOs to know this and they indeed can cause you legal troubles (anything from a false arrest - still needs to be reported everywhere for life to declaring the person "unsuitable" and pulling the LTC). Also thieves aren't always super-sophisticated and may decide they are worth stealing . . . they still could be useful in an armed robbery/home invasion even if unloaded.

So legal yes, but in MA probably not the best thing to do . . . call it Mass-prudence.

 

[SalemCat]

This topic brings to mind another "Fun Fact".

It's legal to keep Firearms, without Trigger Locks, in a Locked Closet. But illegal to keep those same Firearms, without Trigger Locks, in a Locked Room.

When does a Room become a Closet ? Or a Closet a Room ?

 

[Len-2A Training]

This topic brings to mind another "Fun Fact".

It's legal to keep Firearms, without Trigger Locks, in a Locked Closet. But illegal to keep those same Firearms, without Trigger Locks, in a Locked Room.

When does a Room become a Closet ? Or a Closet a Room ?

Whenever a judge rules that way!!

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

How about if I sell an old (pre-1898) top break S&W, can it be shipped through the mail or fedex, since it is an antique and therefore not a firearm do you have declare it as a firearm (eliminating the Post Office) or just say it is an antique if asked?