Legal Info: -------------- There have been several questions about the legality of out-of-state competitors coming into MA for a match. First, here's the obligatory "We are not lawyers and we don't play one on TV or the internet". Any legal advice you take from anyone on the internet you should research for yourself and ask for citations of the statutes that backup what people said. Again, we are not lawyers. The following info has been reviewed with others with more experience with the laws regarding firearms in Massachusetts, and we've included the statute citations and links to the MA laws for you to read for yourself. Don't take the words of internet keyboard commandos. Question: Can non-residents come into MA for a competition? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Chapter 140, Section 131G. Carrying of firearms by non-residents; conditions Any person who is not a resident of the commonwealth may carry a pistol or revolver in or through the commonwealth for the purpose of taking part in a pistol or revolver competition or attending any meeting or exhibition of any organized group of firearm collectors or for the purpose of hunting; provided, that such person is a resident of the United States and has a permit or license to carry firearms issued under the laws of any state, district or territory thereof which has licensing requirements which prohibit the issuance of permits or licenses to persons who have been convicted of a felony or who have been convicted of the unlawful use, possession or sale of narcotic or harmful drugs...." https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...40/Section131G This law has remained unchanged for years. MA has a long history of hosting big matches, including many USPSA, IDPA, and others. So yes, non-residents are fine coming into MA for a competition. =============================================================== Question: What's the deal with magazine capacity? ------------------------------------------------------------------ "Chapter 140, Section 121: Firearms... definitions... application of law; exceptions Large capacity feeding device'', (i) a fixed or detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip or similar device capable of accepting, or that can be readily converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition or more than five shotgun shells; or (ii) a large capacity ammunition feeding device as defined in the federal Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. section 921(a)(31) as appearing in such section on September 13, 1994. The term ''large capacity feeding device'' shall not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with,.22 caliber ammunition." https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...140/Section121 Basically MA still lives under the old Federal Assault Weapons ban. So pre-ban magazines are fine. The magic date for the mag is 'on or before 9/13/1994'. Anything manufactured after that date must be 10 rounds or less. This is true for MA residents and non-residents alike. Also see: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...40/Section131m (note section 121 is about getting a dealer's license, so if you're not a dealer or not LEO, you can not have a post-ban hi-cap mag in MA). Again, pre-bans are fine. =============================================================== Question: But I heard that non-residents couldn't even bring pre-ban mags? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Chapter 269, Section 10: Carrying dangerous weapons...; possession of large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device; punishment Section 10. (a) Whoever, except as provided or exempted by statute, knowingly has in his possession; or knowingly has under his control in a vehicle; a firearm, loaded or unloaded, as defined in section one hundred and twenty-one of chapter one hundred and forty without either:... ..... (4) having complied with the provisions of sections one hundred and twenty-nine C and one hundred and thirty-one G of chapter one hundred and forty; or ...." Note the key phrase is 'except as provided or exempted by statute'. Recall that non-residents are allowed to bring their gear into MA for a competition without needing a license-to-carry. And it's explicitly mentioned here in exemption (4)... C 140, S 131G is the non-resident statute. 129C is about possession as it relates to an FID card (firearms identification card), which doesn't apply since a non-resident is exempted under 131 G. So yes, a non-resident coming into MA for a competition can bring their legal pre-ban magazines into MA. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...r269/Section10 =============================================================== Question: I heard that non-residents couldn't bring 'large capacity weapons' into MA too? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Same as above. C 269 S 10 covers both 'large capacity weapon' and 'large capacity feeding devices'. And exemption (4) allows for non-residents when following C 140 S 131G. =============================================================== Question: I heard it was illegal for kids to participate. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 140, Section 130 1/2: Lawfully furnishing weapons to minors for hunting, recreation, instruction and participation in shooting sports "Section 1301/2. Notwithstanding section 130 or any general or special law to the contrary, it shall be lawful to furnish a weapon to a minor for hunting, recreation, instruction and participation in shooting sports while under the supervision of a holder of a valid firearm identification card or license to carry appropriate for the weapon in use; provided, however, that the parent or guardian of the minor granted consent for such activities." =============================================================== Question: What's this about 'MA Compliant' handguns? Can't I bring my new wiz-bang new fangled blaster? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 140, Section 131 3/4: Roster of large capacity rifles, shotguns, firearms, and feeding devices "Section 1313/4. The secretary of public safety shall, with the advice of the gun control advisory board established pursuant to the provisions of section 1311/2, compile and publish a roster of large capacity rifles, shotguns, firearms and feeding devices, all as defined in section 121, and such weapons referred to in clauses Eighteenth to Twenty-first, inclusive, of section 123. The secretary shall, not less than three times annually, publish the roster in newspapers of general circulation throughout the commonwealth, and shall send a copy thereof to all dealers licensed in the commonwealth under the provisions of said section 122 of said chapter 140; and further, the licensing authority shall furnish said roster to all cardholders and licensees upon initial issuance and upon every renewal of the same. ....." https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener.../Section1313~4 Recall that C 140, S 122 is the part about being a licensed dealer. (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...140/Section122) And C 140, S 121 (Firearms sales; definitions; antique firearms; application of law; exceptions) outlines the definitions of the words used for describing the dealer sales. (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...140/Section121). So, the laws about MA Compliant guns are dealer based and primarily have an effect on what MA FFLs can sell or transfer to consumers. They do not apply to what you can personally own/sell/possess. Note that mere possession of a noncompliant handgun, is NOT a criminal offense. This can't be stated enough, as many in MA improperly use terms like "illegal in MA" or "banned in MA" to describe a handgun which a DEALER cannot sell or transfer. It does not impact what you as a person can have. There is no prohibition on what handguns can be legally possessed, sold or carried by an individual.