Posted: 11/28/2024 8:40:57 PM EDT
[Last Edit: F-M-B][Edited]
|
Has anyone found in writing that the registration requirements for nonresidents is suspended until 2026? Can't believe I'm posting this but I'm starting to doubt myself. I'm not a lawyer by any stretch. I'm planning to hunt MA with my bolt action slug gun on Monday. Been reading the law and guidance and it looks like I'm ok and the registration requirement kicks in Oct 2026. There's currently no way for a non-resident to register a gun in MA. https://mircs.chs.state.ma.us/fa10/action/home?app_context=home&app_action=presentTrans From the guidance #3 https://www.mass.gov/doc/an-act-modernizing-firearms-laws-guidance-3/download on this page: https://www.mass.gov/firearms-services "8. Will I need to register all my firearms? a. Yes. However, you will not be required to register your firearms into the new registration system until 10/2/2026. The Commonwealth is working on building the new registration system and will provide additional information about how to register firearms at a later date. In the meantime, users may register firearms on the existing Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal at https://mircs.chs.state.ma.us/fa10/action/home?app_context=home&app_action=presentHome. If you have already registered your firearms on the current transaction portal, you will not have to re-register them when the new system goes live." Otherwise MA says non resident hunters are fine. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hunting-with-a-firearm-in-massachusetts#non-residents- "No firearms license is needed by non-residents 18 years and older to possess rifles or shotguns that are not large-capacity or semiautomatic to hunt with a valid Massachusetts non-resident hunting license or while traveling in their vehicles, provided they keep firearms unloaded and in a secure container. (Large capacity: capacity to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition or more than 5 shotgun shells.) In other words, rifles and shotguns that accept no more than 10 rounds of ammunition or no more than 5 shotgun shells and that operate with a pump, lever, bolt, or break action." Those more knowledgeable about the law than me, am I correct? Yeah, the idea of registering a gun is sickening. I'm willing to give them the S/N of my Savage 220 and muzzleloader to continue to bring home more venison. I've been hunting MA for at least 35 years. |
Call sign: Smack
|
Originally Posted By JAD: I received the same EOPSS document from MSP. After the governor signed the 18 month postponement, EOPSS had originally put out a later date but the rolled it back on the 3d guidance. Did she sign a postponement? I haven't been able to find it. So far I haven't hunted in MA this year and am still not sure either way. |
Call sign: Smack
|
AFAIK, they haven't updated their database for NRs to register anything. I don't believe that it will be online until Oct. 2025, if it is on schedule. ETA: Here are the only options to date. This page will change when/if they ever incorporate the new law updates. https://mircs.chs.state.ma.us/fa10/action/home?app_context=home&app_action=presentTrans The only 3 "guidance" letters released to date are posted at the bottom of this page: https://www.mass.gov/firearms-services IANAL, however I question what legal weight a "guidance letter" holds when it directly conflicts with a law that was passed. |
MA Gun Law Seminar
NRA Firearms Instructor
Moved to NH!
NRA Firearms Instructor
Moved to NH!
|
Originally Posted By LenS: AFAIK, they haven't updated their database for NRs to register anything. I don't believe that it will be online until Oct. 2025, if it is on schedule. ETA: Here are the only options to date. This page will change when/if they ever incorporate the new law updates. https://mircs.chs.state.ma.us/fa10/action/home?app_context=home&app_action=presentTrans The only 3 "guidance" letters released to date are posted at the bottom of this page: https://www.mass.gov/firearms-services IANAL, however I question what legal weight a "guidance letter" holds when it directly conflicts with a law that was passed. That's exactly why I haven't been hunting in MA yet. Fish & Game and EOPSS are saying it's ok but the new law says it isn't. I was hoping someone could point to a legal postponement because I have a hard time believing she'd sign one after she used the emergency preamble to put it in effect immediately. This could end up being a trap for every non-resident that tags a deer this year and reports that they shot it with a slug gun. I suppose I can borrow a caplock, use my flintlock, or go archery only. At least there's another week of archery here in NH. |
Call sign: Smack
|
wrt firearms in MA. I would advise any NR to stay out of MA with guns/ammo/mags/components. This new law is a cluster-f'k of major proportions, with lots of conflicting parts. It will take a few years before it all gets sorted out and anyone knows what is legal and what is not legal. I retired my Mass Gun Law Seminar with the signing of this new law. I'm not going to attempt to re-write the seminar. I read 43 (of 116) pages of this new law and gave up. |
MA Gun Law Seminar
NRA Firearms Instructor
Moved to NH!
NRA Firearms Instructor
Moved to NH!