So how many on this forum have a collection of guns and ammo that could not logistically be easily picked up and held by a friend.
1. The problem is you are limited to 4 private transfers per year and, absent a transfer the PD is not going to accept "those guns are mine, but being help by someone else, so they do not need to be surrendered". Playing cute games will just get the system mad at you, and make it harder to come out "whole" at the end.
2. If the confiscation is 209A based, only a MA licensed dealer can take possession from the PD. Otherwise, any LTC holder can. In both cases, you must grant permission (except for the bonded warehouse)
3. Unless you smell a brewing domestic and plan ahead, there will be no time to arrange the transfer. Your best bet is having a dealer or LTC holder (if non 209A) at the PD *promptly* to pick up the guns. If available, it's worth paying Atty Langer to go with you.
4. No paperwork needed to move tubs of high caps, ammo and reloading components to a friends house if a domestic is brewing.
5. If your guns go to a bonded warehouse, pay whatever it takes immediately and it will probably be less than the value of the guns. Wait a year or so for your situation to resolve and chances are your equity will have disappeared. Remember, the courts have ruled the bonded warehouse can do whatever it wants so don't waste your time arguing, just bend over.
6. A confiscation order requires you surrender all guns and high cap mags. It is not a search warrant, and does not authorize the police to enter your home to effect collection. If they follow you home, do not consent to letting them enter. If they comply with the law, lock the door, pack up the guns, and bring them out cased and in a non-threatening manner. This will prevent a fishing expedition and also give you time to remove your scopes, bayonettes, lasers, etc.
7. Stripped lowers are not firearms under MA law but, once you have had a chance to contest a 209A in court, you also become a federally prohibited person (the federal prohibition does not kick in until you have a chance to watch the kangaroo hop) and that includes frames/lowers. Playing games like "I am going to keep my stripped AR15 lowers" is likely to fall into the category of PSGWSP.
8. Style points if you tell the PD "What? Only one cruiser? Not nearly enough room".
Contrary to what Len suggests, it is possible to get an LTC back after a 209A. Some departments have a "never without a court order" policy, whereas others have licensing officers who understand many 209As are tactical rather than protective in nature. But, even in the case of the later, your only chance is to follow the law precisely and not play any cute interpretive games. The system is as impressed by these as the IRS is by arguments like "Wages are not income so I do not owe any tax".