MA Law: carrying a gun where animals may be present

[CR2001]

I recently heard a story at the range about a guy getting a hunting violation for carrying a handgun on his own property.
Of course, we know how these stories go. But I do seem to recall something in the law about carrying where animals may be present. I’m not able to find that. Is anyone familiar? Accurate citation? Thank you for any information.

 

[FisherTech]

I just did a quick read of MGL 131 section 1 (definitions) "To Hunt". There has to be more to it than what you have stated here. I would venture to say that there is more to that "range story".

 

[Bluegill]

It may have been very near a Wildlife Management Area, WMA. There are lots of restrictions on WMA especially during hunting season. Check the 2024 abstracts.

 

[FisherTech]

It may have been a lot of things. Where are the facts and not the "Range Rumors"?

 

[PappyM3]

General Law - Part I, Title XIX, Chapter 131, Section 67

malegislature.gov

MGL Ch 131 Section 67

”Section 67: Rifles, revolvers and pistols; caliber

Section 67. A person shall not use or possess, where birds or mammals may be found, any rifle chambered to take larger than twenty-two long rifle ammunition, or any revolver or pistol chambered to take larger than thirty-eight caliber ammunition between the hours of one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise of any day throughout the year.”

 

[FisherTech]

That deals with "night time". On top of that What "thirty-eight caliber ammunition" is this specifying?
Again, one of that state's "just in case laws".

When I was on the job in that shit hole, I brought this up to the agency, as cartridge was not specific. The way that law is written a person could have (ex) a TC contender chambered for a 35 Remington and be within the law.
.357 Magnum is less then .38 caliber, as is a .38 Special.

 

[Rick O'Shea]

I recently heard a story at the range about a guy getting a hunting violation for carrying a handgun on his own property.
Of course, we know how these stories go. But I do seem to recall something in the law about carrying where animals may be present. I’m not able to find that. Is anyone familiar? Accurate citation? Thank you for any information.

Great First Post!

 

[Lank]

I recently heard a story at the range about a guy getting a hunting violation for carrying a handgun on his own property.
Of course, we know how these stories go. But I do seem to recall something in the law about carrying where animals may be present. I’m not able to find that. Is anyone familiar? Accurate citation? Thank you for any information.

General Law - Part I, Title XIX, Chapter 131, Section 67

malegislature.gov

MGL Ch 131 Section 67

”Section 67: Rifles, revolvers and pistols; caliber

Section 67. A person shall not use or possess, where birds or mammals may be found, any rifle chambered to take larger than twenty-two long rifle ammunition, or any revolver or pistol chambered to take larger than thirty-eight caliber ammunition between the hours of one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise of any day throughout the year.”

I have broken that "law" more times than I can remember on my own land.

That BS needs to go.

 

[Bigfudge16]

Sounds like another redundant law that is already covered by hunting regulations and inadvertently(advertently) covers lawful gun owners not engaged in hunting.

 

[FisherTech]

Sounds like another redundant law that is already covered by hunting regulations and inadvertently(advertently) covers lawful gun owners not engaged in hunting.

Actually that law is quite old. I can actully say it was on the books prior to me coming on the job November 1980.

 

[Bigfudge16]

Actually that law is quite old. I can actully say it was on the books prior to me coming on the job November 1980.

Would it predate the dawn to dusk written hunting regulation?

 

[PappyM3]

That deals with "night time". On top of that What "thirty-eight caliber ammunition" is this specifying?
Again, one of that state's "just in case laws".

When I was on the job in that shit hole, I brought this up to the agency, as cartridge was not specific. The way that law is written a person could have (ex) a TC contender chambered for a 35 Remington and be within the law.
.357 Magnum is less then .38 caliber, as is a .38 Special.

It’s stupid, vague and doesn’t consider people hiking or even walking through a park while carrying, but it’s the law and I’m guessing what the OP was thinking about when he was asking for the law when “animals may be present”.

 

[Bigfudge16]

It’s stupid, vague and doesn’t consider people hiking or even walking through a park while carrying, but it’s the law and I’m guessing what the OP was thinking about when he was asking for the law when “animals may be present”.

As fisher said, its a "just in case" law. A catch all if you will when you need to charge someone with something.

 

[FisherTech]

Would it predate the dawn to dusk written hunting regulation?

I honestly don't know. And now I DON'T CARE!!!! I now live in New Hampshire!!!

 

[Tim_McD]

You think that

I recently heard a story at the range about a guy getting a hunting violation for carrying a handgun on his own property.
Of course, we know how these stories go. But I do seem to recall something in the law about carrying where animals may be present. I’m not able to find that. Is anyone familiar? Accurate citation? Thank you for any information.

You think that one is bad....you should hear what my cousin's oldest nephew's girlfriend's uncle told an acquaintance of mine, Bob Sacamano, about "spanish fly" and a stick shift!!!

 

[PappyM3]

As fisher said, its a "just in case" law. A catch all if you will when you need to charge someone with something.

It’s still codified law to be aware of and relevant to the OP’s question.

Not just when they “need” to charge someone, but often when they want to. Do I need to link the Police Protecting and Serving thread to remind people how LE can and do charge people with whatever they can if they don’t like the way you look or what you say?

 

[GaryO]

Great First Post!

Gotta get your feet wet at sometimes, so why not just belly flop into the NES swamp.

 

[FisherTech]

Here is another "Just in Case Law". Read MGL 131 Section 66, and please tell me what the reason is for that law? Oh, No where in the law is a "Recognized Range" defined.

 

[Bigfudge16]

I honestly don't know. And now I DON'T CARE!!!! I now live in New Hampshire!!!

fiiiiiiiine, but i still reserve the right to call on your past experience for help

It’s still codified law to be aware of and relevant to the OP’s question.

Not just when they “need” to charge someone, but often when they want to. Do I need to link the Police Protecting and Serving thread to remind people how LE can and do charge people with whatever they can if they don’t like the way you look or what you say?

want/need are in the eye of the beholder when it comes to policing

 

[FisherTech]

fiiiiiiiine, but i still reserve the right to call on your past experience for help

want/need are in the eye of the beholder when it comes to policing

Remember I have been retired for over 14 years.

 

[Bigfudge16]

Here is another "Just in Case Law". Read MGL 131 Section 66, and please tell me what the reason is for that law? Oh, No where in the law is a "Recognized Range" defined.

I mean...that's assuming that "birds" are even real.

 

[Drix]

General Law - Part I, Title XIX, Chapter 131, Section 67

malegislature.gov

MGL Ch 131 Section 67

”Section 67: Rifles, revolvers and pistols; caliber

Section 67. A person shall not use or possess, where birds or mammals may be found, any rifle chambered to take larger than twenty-two long rifle ammunition, or any revolver or pistol chambered to take larger than thirty-eight caliber ammunition between the hours of one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise of any day throughout the year.”

That is literally everywhere.

 

[not new guy]

People are still mammals, right? I mean the non-lizard people anyway.

 

[Glockster30]

That deals with "night time". On top of that What "thirty-eight caliber ammunition" is this specifying?
Again, one of that state's "just in case laws".

When I was on the job in that shit hole, I brought this up to the agency, as cartridge was not specific. The way that law is written a person could have (ex) a TC contender chambered for a 35 Remington and be within the law.
.357 Magnum is less then .38 caliber, as is a .38 Special.

A 9mm is less than that too. Just goes to show how stupid MA gun laws are.

 

[FisherTech]

A 9mm is less than that too. Just goes to show how stupid MA gun laws are.

Actually, that is an old Fish and Wildlife Law. Long before the days of the FID in the early seventies.

 

[PappyM3]

That is literally everywhere.

Yup

 

[rali]

General Law - Part I, Title XIX, Chapter 131, Section 67

malegislature.gov

MGL Ch 131 Section 67

”Section 67: Rifles, revolvers and pistols; caliber

Section 67. A person shall not use or possess, where birds or mammals may be found, any rifle chambered to take larger than twenty-two long rifle ammunition, or any revolver or pistol chambered to take larger than thirty-eight caliber ammunition between the hours of one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise of any day throughout the year.”

Interesting. Taken literally, this would apply inside my home, which is ruled by a four legged mammal.

When is sunset tonite?

 

[kalash]

Great First Post!

This post is almost as annoying as "what's his NES screenname". Stop it.

 

[CR2001]

It’s still codified law to be aware of and relevant to the OP’s question.

Not just when they “need” to charge someone, but often when they want to. Do I need to link the Police Protecting and Serving thread to remind people how LE can and do charge people with whatever they can if they don’t like the way you look or what you say?

Exactly. My primary concern here is hiking trails. If you think about it, it’s almost on par with a walk through Mattapan or the Dot. You’re literally miles in the middle of nowhere yet you’re on a path where traffic is expected. Then of course you have the four-legged predators on top of that.
With many years and thousands of outings under my belt, I’ve had the occasional friendly chat with state, federal, and municipal LE in these areas. Of course they ask plenty of questions. Where are you headed? Where are you going to? But I have never been asked any weapons on you, sir?
With a valid LTC and “nothing to hide” why not answer???

 

[CR2001]

Gotta get your feet wet at sometimes, so why not just belly flop into the NES

You think that

You think that one is bad....you should hear what my cousin's oldest nephew's girlfriend's uncle told an acquaintance of mine, Bob Sacamano, about "spanish fly" and a stick shift!!!

at least she didn’t get gonorrhea from a tractor.