In Massachusetts, the unlawful possession of a firearm is considered a serious
weapons crime that can constitute either a misdemeanor or a felony. Convictions can
trigger sentences that include more than a year in prison, thousands of
dollars in fines, and the revocation of Second Amendment rights to bear
arms. If you are a gun owner in Massachusetts, you need to be certain
you are always acting within the extent of the law, or else you could
find yourself in handcuffs without knowing exactly why.
Overview of Massachusetts Gun Laws
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Permits: In order to purchase, transport, or possess a rifle or shotgun that is
not considered to be large-capacity, an individual must obtain a Firearms
Identification Card (FID), as well as numerous types of ammunition. For
handguns or large-capacity shotguns and rifles, a License to Carry Firearms
(LTC) is required instead.
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Registration: No firearms of any sort require registration once legally obtained or
purchase. Police records for firearms transfers are also not necessary.
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Licensing: Gun owners in Massachusetts must have appropriate and state-approved licenses
for any type of firearm. If you are not sure what type of license you
need for the guns you own, check with an attorney.
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Carry laws: It is illegal to carry any type of firearm in public or concealed on your
person or on your property without an official LTC-A permit; a concealed
carry permit can have specific limitations placed on it by the Chief of
Police, pending the criminal record or interests of the person petitioning
for the permit.
Massachusetts is considered to be very restrictive when it comes to issuing
carry permits and Firearms Identification Cards. Obtaining one may require
the input of an attorney who can help you through the legal process. Of
course, if you are caught carrying or owning a gun without the proper
permits, licenses, and cards, the intervention of a gun law attorney is
essentially necessary.
You can
contact South Shore Criminal Defense for legal advocacy and representation from
our Brockton criminal defense lawyer. We have help thousands of clients
throughout our years of practice, creating an impressive record of successful
results. Call
617.231.7107 to schedule a
free case evaluation with us today.