Quoted:
I went to a cabelas in Maine, and the man behind the counter told me that I couldn't buy a S&w m&p9 core in ct because it was CAPABLE of holding more than 10 rounds, it was my understanding that you could buy any handgun (as long as it isn't threaded) in ct but you just can't get the mags that hold 11+ rounds.
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For starters if one is a resident of CT they cannot (legally) buy a handgun from an out of state FFL (or in this case Cabelas) unless that handgun is transferred through an in state FFL in the buyer's
HOME state. In this case the counter commando is correct that one from Connecticut cannot buy an S&W M&P9 Core if it comes with magazines capable of holding more than
10 rounds of ammunition. However, where the counter commando is wrong is that the Connecticut FFL or gun shop could either
remove the magazines (large capacity magazines) from the handgun prior to transferring the handgun sans magazines to the CT resident, or that FFL/gun shop could pin the magazines to 10 rounds or less
BEFORE handing over the M&P9 to the Connecticut buyer. The whole point is that someone in CT (unless they are in the exempted class) cannot buy or take possession of a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds post 4/4/13.
Note however that it is not illegal to buy a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds while outside of Connecticut. Its just illegal to bring that magazine back
INTO this state. So, for example, one could go to Maine, buy a pile of magazines, pin them all to 10 rounds or less, then bring them back into Connecticut. Of course if the gun shop in Maine decides to "card" a person and finds out they're a CT resident they may refuse to sell magazines to them that hold more than 10 rounds.
There is one further issue when buying handguns post 4/4/13. You cannot carry in public a lawfully possessed (and declared) large capacity magazine in a handgun purchased
AFTER 4/4/13.