Massachusetts FID in contrast to NJ FID

[Midwest 28]

Massachusetts FID in contrast to NJ FID

 

 

Is Massachusetts worse than New Jersey when it comes to gun control laws?

 

 

Massachusetts got their FID card scheme in 1969

 

 

I been studying gun control laws for sometime. I knew that NJ got the FID scheme in 1966 and Illinois got their FID scheme in 1968 (FOID). I finally found when Massachusetts got theirs. It was January 1 1969 even though it was in 1968 when they drafted their legislation up. I thought it was later, in the 1970's.

 

I found this site that lists the history of conceal carry and the FID scheme in Massachusetts. It looks like they got their inspiration from Illinois and  New Jersey.

 

http://www.goal.org/truthfulstatspages/truthfulstats.html

 

History of Carry License

 

 

"

1968 -This was the year that the FID card law was created by Chapter 737 of the Acts of 1968. It took effect on January 1, 1969."

 

This is interesting, Massachusetts required a carry license by 1906. Before NJ did.

 

"1906  - The license was apparently created by Chapter 172 of the Acts of 1906."

 

New Jersey did not  require licensing until 1924

 

http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/cgi-bin/diglib.cgi?collect=njleg&file=148&page=0305&zoom=90

 

 

Chapter 137 Laws of 1924 Page 305 – 308 >Concealed carry permit now needed. Establishes Record of Sale, Registry, signature of buyer and seller, duplicate needs to be delivered to chief of police, penalties include a high misdemeanor, 24 hour waiting period, no sales after 3 pm, presidents of banks and trust associations, loan institutions, can make application for (up to) 20 permits for the employees,agents, messengers and clerks. Does not apply to State Police or any motor vehicle inspector…Approved March 11 1924

 

Firearm ID Cards

 

 

Initially Massachusetts was more anti-gun before New Jersey when it came to requiring a license in order to carry (1906 vs 1924). But it wasn't until 1966 that a FID card was required in NJ, Massachusetts followed suit in 1969. Today the Massachusetts LTC (license to carry) is available, except a few claimed that is difficult to obtain in and around Boston.

 

Illinois' FOID is required to possess Firearms and ammo. Massachusetts FID does too but they offer a 'grace period' of 60 days for new residents.

 

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciswel/weltomas.htm

 

"New residents have 60 days to obtain proper licenses. Non-residents may obtain temporary licenses to carry through the Firearms Record Bureau in order to possess and transport firearms through the Commonwealth. All non-residents must comply with all Massachusetts laws regarding transportation and storage while in the Commonwealth."

 

Interestingly Massachusetts requires a FID to use pepper spray. But ironically a FID is not required for a BB gun there.

 

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/firearms-reg-and-laws/frb/frequently-asked-questions.html

 

 

There are actually two types of FID's in Massachusetts.

 

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciswel/weltomas.htm

 

"Local police departments have the authority to issue gun permits. Such permits include licenses to carry (L.T.C.) and firearm identification cards (F.I.D.). There are two types of licenses to carry. A Class A license to carry allows an individual to purchase, possess and carry large-capacity handguns, rifles, shotguns and feeding devices. It is the only permit that authorizes a holder to carry a concealed and loaded firearm. A Class B license to carry permits a holder to purchase, possess, and carry non-large capacity handguns and large-capacity rifles and shotguns."

"

 

You may carry in Massachusetts--but

 

This will surprise some, but a if you have a carry permit from another state. You may carry in Massachusetts for  hunting if you have a hunting license or competition/exhibition.

 

http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-laws/massachusetts.aspx

 

"A non-resident United States citizen with a license to carry a handgun issued by any state may carry a handgun in Massachusetts for the purpose of taking part in a  competition or exhibition of an organized group of firearms collectors, or for hunting provided he has a valid hunting license issued by Massachusetts or the state of his destination."

 

But even then there is an exception

 

• "If he or she has a license or permit to possess any firearm in his or her home state, if its licensing requirements are as stringent as those of Massachusetts, as indicated by a published list of such states promulgated by the colonel of state police.

The colonel of state police may issue a temporary license to carry a handgun to a non-resident, alien, or resident who does not live within the jurisdiction of a local licensing authority. A temporary license must clearly indicate whether it is a class A or B license.  The fee for a temporary license is $100. Temporary licenses are good for one year, and renewable at the discretion of the colonel of state police.  Unlike regular class A and B licenses, temporary licenses may not be used to purchase firearms."

 

Handgun Purchase

 

 

According to this, you need a LTC to purchase a handgun and a state form called the "F-10" has to be filled out along with the 4473. I believe the F-10 is the so called registry form.

 

http://www.goal.org/handgunsales.html

 

I didn't see anywhere about a permit to purchase requirement except for the LTC (License To Carry). So it would seem that Massachusetts is better than NJ in that regard.

 

That Damned Handgun Roster

 

Ah but Mass has a handgun roster law to deal with, much like California does and that could mean that handguns that legal in New Jersey are not available in Massachusetts.

 

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/firearms-reg-and-laws/frb/approved-rosters/

 

In some ways it is worse in Massachusetts with the handgun roster, but better in that a LTC (License To Carry) seems to be available. FID is required for pepper spray, but not for a BB gun.

 

Almost Banned Handguns in 1976

 

One more thing, this may come as a surprise to many ....But Massachusetts almost banned handguns in 1976. This is a important but good read in the overall history of gun control.

 

http://www.nrapublications.org/index.php/12374/against-all-odds/

 

"It was proposed that authorities confiscate all handguns in the state, including BB guns. Gun owners would have six months to surrender their firearms, after which they would face a mandatory year in prison for owning a handgun. The confiscation law seemed poised to pass. The most liberal state in the nation, Massachusetts—along with the District of Columbia—was the only place that had given its electoral votes to Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern in 1972. (McGovern had run on a platform calling for a national ban on all handguns considered “unsuitable for sporting purposes.”) Most of the Massachusetts media strongly supported a handgun ban. The Boston Globe, whose reach extends throughout the relatively small state, vehemently opposed handgun ownership. So did the television stations in Boston."

 

Machine Gun  in Massachusetts?

 

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/51693-How-do-one-get-a-Machine-Gun-license-in-mass

 

"If you have a C&R, you're a shoe-in, assuming your CLEO will issue MG licenses. If you don't have a C&R, you need to convince your CLEO that you fall into the definition of a bona fide collector, as laid out in the regulations."

 

It has been a interesting learning experience in compiling this.

[shooter28 153]

Yep, used to be a MA resident. Its really a toss up depending on how you look at it. I miss being able to carry. For most towns outside of Boston, it was pretty easy to get a class A with no restrictions. Usually took about 6 weeks depending on the town. You can purchase pre-ban mags, and lower receivers and be exempt from the AWB as well.

 

Downside is guns in MA are more expensive and hangduns available to be purchased from a FFL is much smaller due to that damn handgun list setup by the AG. Ive seen glocks made in '98 sell for over $600. People that move in from out of state will buy up a lot of guns that are on the AG list before the move and sell them at astronomical prices once in MA. You also cant order ammo online in MA. AG has threatened to sue any company that ships to MA.