We serve Massachusetts Police Departments. Contact us to learn how we can help you and your department take the headaches and liability out of gun storage and help you comply with Massachusetts gun storage laws and proper dispositions.
Police Departments'
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chapter 140, section 129D say?
Click here to read or print the full text of MGL Chapter 140, section 129D.
What kinds of gun storage do you handle?
All kinds! But for your department's purposes there are three levels of firearms that may be transferred to a "bonded public warehouse on the licensed premises of a firearms dealer":
(a) restraining-order firearms
(b) donated firearms
(c) abandoned firearms
Can I store guns with any gun dealer or warehouse?
Chapter 140 Section 129D authorizes the licensing authority to only transfer firearms for storage to a "firearms dealer who has a bonded public warehouse on the licensed premises" after the licensing authority has taken possession of the firearms by any means.
What difference does it make where I store guns?
The key phrase for storage is "bonded public warehouse on the premises of a licensed firearms dealer". Liability transfers from the Police Department to the licensed, bonded dealer who must adhere to strict guidelines regarding the transfer and disposition of the firearms. Most police departments have neither the time, inclination, facilities, personnel, or insurance necessary to deal with this complicated, aggravating and time consuming task.
Does Village Vault meet all provisions of Chapter 140, Section 129D?
In a word, yes! Village Vault is a bonded public warehouse on the premises of the Village Gun Shop, Inc., a state and federally licensed firearms dealer, located at 7 Belmont St., Northborough, MA.
What does all this mean to my department?
Firearms storage at no cost to your department. Firearms storage liability one step removed from your department.
Is this a complicated process?
No. All it takes is one quick phone call. We do the rest. We come to your department. We inspect, inventory, describe and receipt all firearms, on-site. We handle all paper work, notices, firearms transfers or liquidations in compliance with all State and Federal laws.
How long do I have to hold guns my department seized under a 209A restraining order before I can transfer them to Village Vault?
Restraining order firearms may be transferred at any time according to Chapter 140, section 129D. It is not necessary to have a court hearing, especially in the case of a large quantity of guns or an extremely rare or valuable collection where the department wishes to be once removed from liability.
What about donated firearms?
Donated firearms may be transferred or sold at any time. We can handle the complete process from inventory to liquidation and forwarding proceeds of the liquidation.
What's the difference between donated and abandoned firearms?
Abandoned firearms may be disposed of after one year of initial surrender. They may, however, be stored immediately in a bonded public warehouse on the premises of a licensed firearms dealer. Got questions??? We've got answers. If you didn't get the answer here email us. We'll get right back to you with a comprehensive answer. And, if it's a good enough question we'll add it to this permanent list.
Gun Owners' Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the storage fees?
Storage fees are 50¢ per item - per day, regardless of the make, model or size of the firearm. The fee is the same for a .22 caliber, 5-shot revolver, a semi-automatic assault rifle, ammunition and associated items.
Do you bill me every month?
Yes.
What is an administration fee? Is that for each firearm?
An administration fee is a one-time fee for some services to you for all firearms owned by you which are in our possession. It is not charged per gun. It is charged to cover the costs of certified statutory notices that are required by law and which are associated with the handling and disposition of your guns. We must notify you by certified mail that your police department has surrendered your guns to us for storage, together with the a schedule of the fees for and terms of that storage. We must take and provide you with an inventory of the gun/guns, including the make, model, serial number and condition of each firearm and accessories. At some time there will be an ultimate disposition of your guns. They will either be returned to you by your police department and/or the courts or they will be liquidated by either sale at your direction or, in the case of a default by you, by sale at public auction. You will be notified by certified mail of the ultimate settlement. The administration fee helps cover the cost of certain services but does not including storage fees, disposition fees, and auctioneer's fees.
Your letter says I may "at any time" transfer my guns from your bonded firearms warehouse to a properly licensed individual or firearms dealer. What constitutes a "licensed" individual?
What constitutes a "properly licensed individual" depends on the type of firearms.
For handguns, a licensed individual must have a current Massachusetts License to Carry (pistol permit).
For rifles or long guns, an individual must have a current Massachusetts Firearms Identification Card. A Massachusetts pistol permit, however, covers both handguns and long guns.
What is the disposition fee?
The disposition fee is a standard charge of $20 per item to cover handling and processing of the item.
Do I have to pay a disposition fee for each gun?
Yes, $20 per gun.
What are the steps to transfer my guns to a licensed gun dealer or licensed individual? Written notice, signed and dated designating the transferee, along with payment in full via cash or credit card of all fees and charges. Personal checks are not accepted.
A friend of mine has a firearms license can I transfer my guns to him?
Yes.
I want to sell my guns. Can you sell them for me?
No. We do not accept consignments. However, we can buy your guns at current wholesale prices predicated on condition. I want to sell my guns but I want another gun dealer to handle it. How do I do that?
Simply write a note (sign and date it) instructing us to transfer the guns to a designated licensed dealer. We will compute the fees and transfer the guns to another firearms dealer upon payment in full of all fees via cash or credit card. No personal checks are accepted.
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![[rofl]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/013.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
What a prick.
