Air rifle regs

[Poseidon45]

Hi guys, I know Mass doesn't consider air rifles "firearms" (no FA-10 required to buy), but are there any laws against ordering one mail order? I'm looking to pick one up for local varmint control. Thanks!

 

[cricco]

No.

 

[ARV]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Section121

“Firearm”, a pistol, revolver or other weapon of any description, loaded or unloaded, from which a shot or bullet can be discharged and of which the length of the barrel or barrels is less than 16 inches or 18 inches in the case of a shotgun as originally manufactured; provided, however, that the term firearm shall not include any weapon that is: (i) constructed in a shape that does not resemble a handgun, short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun including, but not limited to, covert weapons that resemble key-chains, pens, cigarette-lighters or cigarette-packages; or (ii) not detectable as a weapon or potential weapon by x-ray machines commonly used at airports or walk- through metal detectors.

No mention of HOW that "shot or bullet" is discharged.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter269/Section10

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:

(5) having complied as to possession of an air rifle or BB gun with the requirements imposed by section twelve B; and whoever knowingly has in his possession; or knowingly has under control in a vehicle; a rifle or shotgun, loaded or unloaded, without either:

(1) being present in or on his residence or place of business; or

(2) having in effect a license to carry firearms issued under section one hundred and thirty-one of chapter one hundred and forty; or

(3) having in effect a license to carry firearms issued under section one hundred and thirty-one F of chapter one hundred and forty; or

(4) having in effect a firearms identification card issued under section one hundred and twenty-nine B of chapter one hundred and forty; or

(5) having complied with the requirements imposed by section one hundred and twenty-nine C of chapter one hundred and forty upon ownership or possession of rifles and shotguns; or

(6) having complied as to possession of an air rifle or BB gun with the requirements imposed by section twelve B; shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than two and one-half years nor more than five years, or for not less than 18 months nor more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction. The sentence imposed on such person shall not be reduced to less than 18 months, nor suspended, nor shall any person convicted under this subsection be eligible for probation, parole, work release, or furlough or receive any deduction from his sentence for good conduct until he shall have served 18 months of such sentence; provided, however, that the commissioner of correction may on the recommendation of the warden, superintendent, or other person in charge of a correctional institution, grant to an offender committed under this subsection a temporary release in the custody of an officer of such institution for the following purposes only: to attend the funeral of a relative; to visit a critically ill relative; or to obtain emergency medical or psychiatric service unavailable at said institution. Prosecutions commenced under this subsection shall neither be continued without a finding nor placed on file.

No person having in effect a license to carry firearms for any purpose, issued under section one hundred and thirty-one or section one hundred and thirty-one F of chapter one hundred and forty shall be deemed to be in violation of this section.

The provisions of section eighty-seven of chapter two hundred and seventy-six shall not apply to any person seventeen years of age or older, charged with a violation of this subsection, or to any child between ages fourteen and seventeen so charged, if the court is of the opinion that the interests of the public require that he should be tried as an adult for such offense instead of being dealt with as a child.

The provisions of this subsection shall not affect the licensing requirements of section one hundred and twenty-nine C of chapter one hundred and forty which require every person not otherwise duly licensed or exempted to have been issued a firearms identification card in order to possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun in his residence or place of business.

Section 12B. No minor under the age of eighteen shall have an air rifle or so-called BB gun in his possession while in any place to which the public has a right of access unless he is accompanied by an adult or unless he is the holder of a sporting or hunting license and has on his person a permit from the chief of police of the town in which he resides granting him the right of such possession. No person shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or so-called BB gun into, from or across any street, alley, public way or railroad or railway right of way, and no minor under the age of eighteen shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or BB gun unless he is accompanied by an adult or is the holder of a sporting or hunting license. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, and the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall be confiscated. Upon a conviction of a violation of this section the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall, by the written authority of the court, be forwarded to the colonel of the state police, who may dispose of said article in the same manner as prescribed in section ten.

Confused yet?

That said, Idk anyone that will ship air guns to mass. Though cant say I've looked hard.

 

[MisterHappy]

There may or may not be local ordinaces regarding the use and discharge of air guns, too.

 

[FreeWillie]

Hi guys, I know Mass doesn't consider air rifles "firearms" (no FA-10 required to buy), but are there any laws against ordering one mail order? I'm looking to pick one up for local varmint control. Thanks!

Almost anyone will ship an air rifle to MA. I just bought a new Benjamin pump the other day. Shipped and deliver without issue. Just zeroed it and it shoots great!

 

[whatluck]

I use airgun-supply without any issues.

Oops, is it bad to post names of companies that ship air guns to mass?

 

[FreeWillie]

I use xxxxxxxxx without any issues.

Oops, is it bad to post names of companies that ship air guns to mass?

I wouldn't post names. No need to give "the enemy" another thing to F&#% Up

 

[FreeWillie]

There may or may not be local ordinaces regarding the use and discharge of air guns, too.

I'm sure there are regulations about disposal of trash, throwing rocks, loud music, walking on the grass and open fires also.

 

[Poseidon45]

Thanks all. Just wanted to be sure I wasn't stepping over the line here in our People's Republic.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Yes, it is a BAD idea to post names of those that will ship air guns, BBs, pellets, CO2 cartridges, etc. to MA. The AG has gone after them in the past and jammed it up their ass demanding a "consent decree" to avoid a MA lawsuit.

It is perfectly legal for a person over age 18 to order, own and shoot an air gun in MA. There are limitations on where they can be shot and age limitations in MGLs.

 

[MisterHappy]

I'm sure there are regulations about disposal of trash, throwing rocks, loud music, walking on the grass and open fires also.

Just las week or so, therw was a note left on a neighbor's curbside recycling bin, to the effect that soda bottles were not supposed to be in there....

So, yes.

 

[Independence Arms]

How can an air rifle be considered a "fire"arm, wouldn't it be an "air"arm?

 

[FreeWillie]

Just las week or so, therw was a note left on a neighbor's curbside recycling bin, to the effect that soda bottles were not supposed to be in there....

So, yes.

gubment! What would we do without it?

 

[OfficerObie59]

It is perfectly legal for a person over age 18 to order, own and shoot an air gun in MA. There are limitations on where they can be shot and age limitations in MGLs.

Air guns are regulated just like BB guns. And for those under 18, one can posess one either on their own property or with parental supervision, and only shoot it with supervision sans an hunting/spoting license. Otherwise, it's a criminal summons and the gun is confiscated.

These laws also apply to Airsoft.
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter269/Section12B:

CHAPTER 269CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE
PrevNext.

Section 12BAir rifles; possession by minors; shooting
PrevNext.

Section 12B. No minor under the age of eighteen shall have an air rifle or so-called BB gun in his possession while in any place to which the public has a right of access unless he is accompanied by an adult or unless he is the holder of a sporting or hunting license and has on his person a permit from the chief of police of the town in which he resides granting him the right of such possession. No person shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or so-called BB gun into, from or across any street, alley, public way or railroad or railway right of way, and no minor under the age of eighteen shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or BB gun unless he is accompanied by an adult or is the holder of a sporting or hunting license. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, and the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall be confiscated. Upon a conviction of a violation of this section the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall, by the written authority of the court, be forwarded to the colonel of the state police, who may dispose of said article in the same manner as prescribed in section ten.

EDIT: Rob does raise a good point; there are a few specific laws out there that regulate air guns like real firearms in limited circumstances.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Air guns are considered firearms for the purpose of MGL 269-10j (carrying guns on school property) as the means of propulsion to meet that requirement is "any means".

MA residents can bellyache about spineless vendors all they want, but the AG office obtained a default judgemet of over 70K against a vendor mail ordering BB or airsoft guns to minors in MA.