I have looked a bit, and can't find exactly the scenario I want information on.
I'm a recent Ma LTC holder ( 4 days... ), but not so recent on the planet ( 47 years... ). My father in law wants to give me his T Parker 12 Ga double bbl, a Marlin .22 rifle and a .22 air rifle. I assume the air rifle is a non issue for anything. There is no paperwork on any of the guns, and I think of the 12 Ga. as more of a sentimental item than a firearm ( it seems to be from late 1800's - might remove the firing pins and hang it on the mantle ), although law enforcement might not see it that way. My question isn't about the value of these guns ( I realize they're not of great value ) or safety of these guns ( I realize that the 12 Ga might not survive being fired ), but about bringing them back to Ma legally.
As a new LTC holder I've never owned a gun ( plan on buying some soon ), so I've never had to go through the process at all, more or less bring one in from another state, so not really sure what I need to do / know, and I'd rather not go to the clink because I inadvertently broke a law.
As I understand it, Wisconsin honors Ma LTC's, so it should be legal for me to posses a firearm there. I also understand that there is a federal law (FOPA) that essentially protects me if I am moving a gun from one place I can legally posses it to another place I can legally posses it. My intention is to lock the 2 guns ( not counting the air rifle ) in a locked box, unloaded, with no ammunition ( not planning on bringing any back ), in the bed a pickup ( under a locked tonneau cover so the whole box doesn't get stolen ).
So, here's my questions:
- Am I correct in assuming that transporting them that way is legal?
- I'll be traveling with my family, and will be staying overnight a couple of places along the way - I assume this still falls under 'traveling to my destination'? How about if we detour to sight-see along the way? I didn't see anything when I was reading about FOPA that specified what kind of stops are allowed - does anyone know of it being tried in court?
- If we stay in a seedy area ( Hotel ), would I be in violation of FOPA to bring them in? I would leave them locked in the case, unloaded, and again I don't plan on bringing any ammo.
- If I get stopped along the way, am I obligated to declare I have the guns?
- I will have my father in law write out a note stating he gave me the guns - is there anything I should have him include? Again, he has no paperwork - think they were his fathers'.
- Once I arrive home, what am I obligated to do as far as paperwork?
- Am I missing anything?
- Also, and I'm not planning on this, if I brought a Ma compliant pistol ( lets say 9mm with 10 round mag ) to Wi (assuming it's Wi compliant, too ), and back again, would that be protected under FOPA ( assuming locked, out of reach, unloaded )? Some stuff I read seemed to suggest that long guns are treated differently than 'high capacity' pistols. Doubt I'd ever do it, but just curious while we're on the topic.
I'm not overly worried - while I have a relatively heavy foot, I have done the drive a few times without getting stopped, and I don't think we come across as the type of family who deserves to have their car searched, and hopefully a cop would understand that an antique shotgun and a .22 are not my attempt at gun running ( with my 2 and 4 year old daughters...), but I'd hate to be sitting in a state or federal penn wishing I'd done something differently.
Thanks in advance
I'm a recent Ma LTC holder ( 4 days... ), but not so recent on the planet ( 47 years... ). My father in law wants to give me his T Parker 12 Ga double bbl, a Marlin .22 rifle and a .22 air rifle. I assume the air rifle is a non issue for anything. There is no paperwork on any of the guns, and I think of the 12 Ga. as more of a sentimental item than a firearm ( it seems to be from late 1800's - might remove the firing pins and hang it on the mantle ), although law enforcement might not see it that way. My question isn't about the value of these guns ( I realize they're not of great value ) or safety of these guns ( I realize that the 12 Ga might not survive being fired ), but about bringing them back to Ma legally.
As a new LTC holder I've never owned a gun ( plan on buying some soon ), so I've never had to go through the process at all, more or less bring one in from another state, so not really sure what I need to do / know, and I'd rather not go to the clink because I inadvertently broke a law.
As I understand it, Wisconsin honors Ma LTC's, so it should be legal for me to posses a firearm there. I also understand that there is a federal law (FOPA) that essentially protects me if I am moving a gun from one place I can legally posses it to another place I can legally posses it. My intention is to lock the 2 guns ( not counting the air rifle ) in a locked box, unloaded, with no ammunition ( not planning on bringing any back ), in the bed a pickup ( under a locked tonneau cover so the whole box doesn't get stolen ).
So, here's my questions:
- Am I correct in assuming that transporting them that way is legal?
- I'll be traveling with my family, and will be staying overnight a couple of places along the way - I assume this still falls under 'traveling to my destination'? How about if we detour to sight-see along the way? I didn't see anything when I was reading about FOPA that specified what kind of stops are allowed - does anyone know of it being tried in court?
- If we stay in a seedy area ( Hotel ), would I be in violation of FOPA to bring them in? I would leave them locked in the case, unloaded, and again I don't plan on bringing any ammo.
- If I get stopped along the way, am I obligated to declare I have the guns?
- I will have my father in law write out a note stating he gave me the guns - is there anything I should have him include? Again, he has no paperwork - think they were his fathers'.
- Once I arrive home, what am I obligated to do as far as paperwork?
- Am I missing anything?
- Also, and I'm not planning on this, if I brought a Ma compliant pistol ( lets say 9mm with 10 round mag ) to Wi (assuming it's Wi compliant, too ), and back again, would that be protected under FOPA ( assuming locked, out of reach, unloaded )? Some stuff I read seemed to suggest that long guns are treated differently than 'high capacity' pistols. Doubt I'd ever do it, but just curious while we're on the topic.
I'm not overly worried - while I have a relatively heavy foot, I have done the drive a few times without getting stopped, and I don't think we come across as the type of family who deserves to have their car searched, and hopefully a cop would understand that an antique shotgun and a .22 are not my attempt at gun running ( with my 2 and 4 year old daughters...), but I'd hate to be sitting in a state or federal penn wishing I'd done something differently.
Thanks in advance
