DickWanner
Banned
Aside from the 1000ft rule, is carrying on school grounds itself illegal? And what is the rule on school events, specifically football fields not attached to a school in any manner.
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Massachusetts law prohibits carry (not transportation) in schools.
Does this mean it's legal to park in a school parking lot with a gun locked in your car?
There have indeed been cases (I don't have a cite, but I trust the source of the info) where the prosecutor determined he did not have a case since the "on the person" requirement was not met. Even so, arrests have been made and there is always that "suitable person" thing.The way the law is worded the whole "on ones person" thing would suggest that, but I don't think there's ever been a test case.
MGL Ch269 S10j:Aside from the 1000ft rule, is carrying on school grounds itself illegal? And what is the rule on school events, specifically football fields not attached to a school in any manner.
If the football fields are owned by the school department, then they would be off limits.(j) Whoever, not being a law enforcement officer, and notwithstanding any license obtained by him under the provisions of chapter one hundred and forty, carries on his person a firearm as hereinafter defined, loaded or unloaded or other dangerous weapon in any building or on the grounds of any elementary or secondary school, college or university without the written authorization of the board or officer in charge of such elementary or secondary school, college or university shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. For the purpose of this paragraph, “firearm” shall mean any pistol, revolver, rifle or smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet or pellet can be discharged by whatever means.
But to me "carries on his person" is not the same as locked in a car.
It does indeed include the grounds. I posted the language just 3 posts above, but perhaps you missed it. Here it is again, with emphasis:EDIT: I think it also includes "grounds". So if the parking lot is on the school's "grounds", you are technically forbidden to store your weapon on campus in your locked car that's parked in the parking lot.
(j) Whoever, not being a law enforcement officer, and notwithstanding any license obtained by him under the provisions of chapter one hundred and forty, carries on his person a firearm as hereinafter defined, loaded or unloaded or other dangerous weapon in any building or on the grounds of any elementary or secondary school, college or university without the written authorization of the board or officer in charge of such elementary or secondary school, college or university shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. For the purpose of this paragraph, “firearm” shall mean any pistol, revolver, rifle or smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet or pellet can be discharged by whatever means.