Like many folks who shoot at the range, you may have a half dozen or more extra mags for your rifles and firearms. Does Massachusetts state law require that extra unloaded/empty magazines be stored in a safe or locked container in the home and in a vehicle? I did a search but wasn't able to find an answer on this. My apologies if this has been covered elsewhere in this forum.
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Guidance needed on rifle and firearm magazine storage.
- Thread starter runner328
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No. There is no requirement to lock up empty magazines. The statute for transporting firearms in a vehicle is here:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Section131c
As you can see, there is no mention of magazines in that statute.
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I think it is wise to keep them out of site when transporting them in your car. But I haven't ever bothered with locking them up while doing so and don't see any justification for suggesting that someone should do so.
It's because there is no answer because there are no special storage requirements for things like magazines.
The one caveat to this of course is if you have a bunch of large cap mags, if you leave them floating around in your car or whatever, and an unwashed (unlicensed) person drives the car around without you being there... they're basically driving a big felony trap. So keep that in mind...
-Mike
cockpitbob
NES Member
This.
Most NESers know the Mass laws better than the average cop. The cop will think that since ammo is so tightly controlled those "high capacity clips" are too.
MisterHappy
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Just note Drgrant's warning about large-caps and unlicensed persons - you need a license for mags >10 rounds. ![[puke]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/023.gif "Puke [puke]")
The law is silent, as far as I'm concerned. There aren't any special conditions related to where mags are, etc. The unwashed thing can be a problem but that isn't any different than any other controlled item.
-Mike
So if my handgun/ar/whatever were hypothetically locked and loaded in my safe... And yeah, I get that if it was an issue I'd already be in a world of hurt anyway but knowledge is power
There is none. You have to lock up your gun, period.
So if my handgun/ar/whatever were hypothetically locked and loaded in my safe... And yeah, I get that if it was an issue I'd already be in a world of hurt anyway but knowledge is power
Once again, there is none. Read the statute here: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Section131L
Where does it say anything about loaded? Where does it say anything about magazines? It doesn't. That means you can do whatever the heck you want with respect to loaded/unloaded, magazines, etc.
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TayNinh_66
NES Member
What's an unloaded magazine?
The ones you switch out with full ones at the range
MachineHead
NES Member
Apparently if if you have an unloaded magazine, then it's no good--disposable, even. This is all according to Rep. DeGette from CO.
Observe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbel4SASUPQ
More info:
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2013/04/04/disposable-magazine-clips-made-only-from-bullets/
Observe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbel4SASUPQ
More info:
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2013/04/04/disposable-magazine-clips-made-only-from-bullets/
To expand on that . . . nobody unlicensed can have access to them at home either, so unless all occupants are licensed, they should be locked up to prevent a possible felony trap.
Very true.
In a locked container at home the guns can be loaded. NO requirement for storing any ammo separately from where guns are in the home, in the car, etc. For the car it is prudent to either have a handgun on you or unloaded and locked up (hasn't been adjudicated TTBOMK but it is a gray area). Long guns in a MV always have to be unloaded (anti-hunting law).
I was under the impression that if you had high capacity mags, you should keep them locked, less some family member get dinged for not having a Class A license when you are not home. Like already stated.
In any event, it is those evil "CLIPS" that the politicians fear the most!
AHM
NES Member
Yahbut
Sure, sure; except that Radtekk asked about loaded magazines, and there is law on that.
So unless you're confident that you can hypmotize Fire Marshall Bill that ammo in a mag is "in use", you can't strew loaded mags all over the house.
OTOH, unless the loaded mags in the safe are sitting inside cardboard ammo boxes, if Bill raids your domicile, you've still got your work cut out for you.
This may help:
P. S. Great to meet you at the last club meeting.
Sure, sure; except that Radtekk asked about loaded magazines, and there is law on that.
So unless you're confident that you can hypmotize Fire Marshall Bill that ammo in a mag is "in use", you can't strew loaded mags all over the house.
OTOH, unless the loaded mags in the safe are sitting inside cardboard ammo boxes, if Bill raids your domicile, you've still got your work cut out for you.
This may help:
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