Definition of "Direct Control"

So to sum it up, the only way to be 100% certain that that any method of transport is legal other than concealed carry is to:
-rent an armored car
-weld a fire/waterproof safe to the vehicle
-disassemble your weapons
-melt them down
-place the melted material in a locked container inside the welded safe
-weld the safe shut
-contact your local PD for an escort
-reassemble when you arrive

OK, now I got!
 
What is so "wrong" with carrying in a glovebox/center console (besides the law in MA). A lot of times (Work, Post Office, Xl Center in Hartford)I leave a loaded gun in my center console..and my car is locked..
 
I am not trying to start anything..I just don't see it..If you are in FLA and age 18-20..You MUST carry your handgun in your glovebox...I know people in VT/NH that just leave a handgun in there vehicle..i just don't get whats wrong with it
 
I am not trying to start anything..I just don't see it..If you are in FLA and age 18-20..You MUST carry your handgun in your glovebox...I know people in VT/NH that just leave a handgun in there vehicle..i just don't get whats wrong with it

I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that most people keep their registration in the glove box, so it would be an issue during a stop, assuming you didn't warn the officer first. That's the only thing I can think of. Otherwise, it can make a very secure storage location, depending on how your particular glove box is constructed. A few months ago my car was broken into in Springfield. My GPS was in my center console (unlocked) and was stolen. My ipod was in my glove box (locked) and was not stolen. There was minor damage to the lock, like someone tried to quickly jimmy it, but apparently the guy didn't feel like really pressing the issue to bust the glove box open, because it was still locked tight when I got to my car.
 
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What is so "wrong" with carrying in a glovebox/center console (besides the law in MA). A lot of times (Work, Post Office, Xl Center in Hartford)I leave a loaded gun in my center console..and my car is locked..
You're asking about logic. We're talking about MA gun laws. Ne'er the twain shall meet.
 
Regarding soft lockable pistol cases (I have 3 different sizes of these) and lockable glove compartments: How about putting an unloaded pistol in the soft case, locking that, then putting that in the glove box (assuming it will fit), and locking that. I can't imagine we'd be in danger of breaking any laws by doing that. Verdict?
 
Regarding soft lockable pistol cases (I have 3 different sizes of these) and lockable glove compartments: How about putting an unloaded pistol in the soft case, locking that, then putting that in the glove box (assuming it will fit), and locking that. I can't imagine we'd be in danger of breaking any laws by doing that. Verdict?

Once you have secured the UNLOADED gun in the case with an approved lock, it does not matter where you put that case. Obviously some locations are better than others (trunk, under seat as opposed to on passenger's seat or dash), but the LOCKED CASE controls.

Whether the case is hard or soft is not a legal requirement.
 
For the life of me, I can not understand why anyone would ever want to live in MA.
NH is too damn cold, and you've got no essentially biotech industry up there. Boston (Kendall Square and Longwood) is one of just a few epicenters of biotech in the world (others being San Diego and San Francisco).
 
NH is too damn cold, and you've got no essentially biotech industry up there. Boston (Kendall Square and Longwood) is one of just a few epicenters of biotech in the world (others being San Diego and San Francisco).

I've heard of this mythical road called I-93 where you can drive in the breakdown lane. Supposedly, some people here even drive it daily, but I'm not so sure. [smile]

Seriously, not to jack the thread, I would agree that, being able to prevent someone without a license (real or imagined) from touching the gun, is a good minimum standard, because it would be hard for anyone to argue that you don't have "direct control" of the firearm. So even if you are driving alone, you could imagine the vehicle being full of passengers, and if you could reasonably prevent any of those mythical people from touching the firearm, then it's under your control.

Of course, this is just my opinion based on logic, which will only get you so far in PRM.

Best to just keep it on your person or unload & lock, as previously suggested. Speaking of which, what if you replace the glovebox with an aftermarket one? Is it still considered just a glovebox? What if it's marketed as a safe or a lockbox?
 
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I've heard of this mythical road called I-93 where you can drive in the breakdown lane. Supposedly, some people here even drive it daily, but I'm not so sure. [smile]
My current commute, from Wayland to Cambridge on the Pike, kicks my ass. Commute down from NH? Um, no. I don't want to live in my car.
 
They should rename "Glove Box" to "Sh*t Box" since I have never seen a pair of "Gloves" in one... usually see lots of "Sh*t" in there... like napkins, pens, wet wipes, glasses,wife's boyfriend's phone number etc..
 
Once you have secured the UNLOADED gun in the case with an approved lock, it does not matter where you put that case. Obviously some locations are better than others (trunk, under seat as opposed to on passenger's seat or dash), but the LOCKED CASE controls.

Whether the case is hard or soft is not a legal requirement.

Understood. My point was that its an added sense of security for me if I can put the locked pistol case in my locked glove compartment. I don't own any hard pistol case that I could squeeze into the glove box, but I can fit a full size 1911 locked in a soft case in there.
 
What about those red cable locks they sell with handguns in MA? If I lock the slide open and feed a cable lock through or lock the cylinder open with a cable lock, can I then just put them in my range bag?
 
What about those red cable locks they sell with handguns in MA? If I lock the slide open and feed a cable lock through or lock the cylinder open with a cable lock, can I then just put them in my range bag?

That's acceptable for storage, but not transport. The firearm needs to be inside a locked container for transport. So if the range bag is in your bedroom it's fine. If the range bag is in your trunk (which is a locked container) it's fine. If the range bag is in the passenger compartment of your car, such as sitting on your back seat, you're not properly transporting.
 
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For example:
"Section 131C. (a) No person carrying a loaded firearm under a Class A license issued under section 131 or 131F shall carry the same in a vehicle unless such firearm while carried therein is under the direct control of such person. Whoever violates the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by a fine of $500."

Suppose I wanted to unholster my weapon while driving and place it on the floor (I know all the reasons this is a bad idea, I'm only using this as an example). Is that still under my direct control? Is there a definition of direct control?

Personally I don't want to risk being in an accident while carrying a gun that is already sticking into me when I carry it - risking severe internal injuries or worse. So I have a holster with a retention strap mounted under my dash by my leg. I consider that in my direct control as it would be just as or more difficult for someone to get it off my body as it would be for them to get it out of that holster with me sitting there. PLUS it's also secure in an accident.

PS I don't LEAVE THAT SEAT until that firearm goes back on my person. As far as LE, I've been pulled over while carrying. I re-holstered the firearm on my person before he even got out of his car just in case there is any room for interpretation...or for some weird reason LE pulled me out of the car it's perceptively safer for everyone that way.
 
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So, in the event I park my vehicle and it then falls under storage laws, one of these cable locks is fine. As soon as I start my vehicle up and begin to move, it is no longer fine and it now has to be put into a secure container or back in my holster. Let's not forget, I have an LTC A ALP.
 
Storage would apply either way if it was stopped. But would it be vehicle storage or dwelling storage? I think it would depend on other information not provided in your example. Are there license plates and wheels on it? is it on a road? Hard to say it's not a vehicle if those are "yes" answers. But I am sure someone will have the definition of a dwelling.
 
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