Privateer, you are right, my bad. I never discuss this in my seminars as it's not relevant to the use of a locked trunk for transporting guns/ammo. But I do appreciate the correction on the underlying reason for the law.
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When I was selling cars, we called it a "Mafia Trunk Release," though it was intended for kids' use; Privateer is correct.
Len, you SHOULD discuss it......the guns that "go off by themselves" that we read about can probably manipulate the release, and steps to prevent this should be considered.
What is the law about leaving them in the trunk while running and errand or for a few hours outside of your house? A LEO told me I couldn't I said I he was wrong. I told him to read the LAW again. He's family so I left it at that
I drive a Miata so there is no way my Mosin will fit in the trunk. I have nowhere else to put it except in a locked case in the passenger seat. I figure I'll slap some music store and guitar manufacturer stickers on the case just to be a little more under the radar.Last person that I have personal knowledge of that got pulled over while transporting: Guy in a 'Vette convertible, was pulled over on his way to a Trap shoot (he was speeding).
If a "firearm" (i.e. handgun, Mass definition) is being transported, it must be under your direct control, or locked up as discussed above.
No trunk in my pick em up truck, so they go in a locked hard case on the back seat... under a blanket... with stuffed animals on top wearing sunglasses.
i am sorry it is a 22cal rifle the bummer is i cant transport on my motorcyle to the range
I have one of those hammock dog seat covers in my truck. The guns go on the floor out of sight.
I'm thinking of buying a Ruger 10-22 carbine if I can ever find ammo. How would I transport in a pick up?
I'm thinking of buying a Ruger 10-22 carbine if I can ever find ammo. How would I transport in a pick up?
Is it a large capacity long gun?
If yes, then a locked case; if no, it just has to be unloaded - but AnotherDavid's way is "Massprudent".
Also, don't run red lights.
The debate over whether or not a 10/22 is "large capacity" or not is both lively and stupid.
The whole issue is stupid. The discussion is the direct result of laws made by morons.
Don,
No I tell people that LEGALLY (in MA):
- You can throw your low capacity long guns in a rifle rack in the back of your pickup, throw them on the back seat of your car, etc. (just must be unloaded),
- You can throw ANY unloaded gun (handgun, large-cap rifles/shotguns) loose in your locked trunk,
- However you won't like the undesired attention you will get with the first option above (and no most cops in MA are unaware that this is legal),
- The second option will likely damage your gun and you may not want to do this, but again, it's legal. Also again many cops may not realize this.
Keep in mind at my Hunter Ed class a few months ago, the EPO told everyone that to transport low capacity long guns in a MV either required a locked hard case or if it was a soft case it required a trigger lock! Neither is true, but this is what many LEOs believe. Thus, the desire to keep everything hidden from view and avoid conflict with potentially ignorant people.
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Question for the above quote from LenS.
Low capacity long guns (let's say an O/U shotgun so we're on the same page) can be in your backseat, not in a case, if unloaded.
Now let's say you make a stop and need to exit the vehicle, now that that shotgun is "out of your direct control" does it now need to be locked up?
What if there is an unlicensed person or minor in the car with you?
Are the storage requirements different for people with an FID card?
- Legally, correct but see the Methuen case of the kid with the FID - guns and FID confiscated even though perfectly legal.
- Legally a trigger lock or cable lock is sufficient (storage) but many LEOs look at a car and because it is mobile they claim "transportation" (but thus wouldn't need anything legally). Yes, in a locked case or locked trunk avoids hassle and perhaps ILLEGAL issues (see Methuen case).
- If any unlicensed person is in the car, (IANAL) I'd say this all changes. Since you can't allow any unlicensed person access to guns/ammo except under DIRECT SUPERVISION per MGL, LE would look at this as an illegal act in almost all cases.
- No, as storage law covers all guns and all classes of permits the same.
For me the practical benefit of this realization is that if the gun is in the trunk, it doesn't need to be locked.
Don
unless the cop has reason to search your vehicle and you unlock the trunk, now the gun is no longer in a locked trunk.... now he's got ya.....
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- If any unlicensed person is in the car, (IANAL) I'd say this all changes. Since you can't allow any unlicensed person access to guns/ammo except under DIRECT SUPERVISION per MGL, LE would look at this as an illegal act in almost all case.