Posted: 9/14/2024 11:47:00 AM EDT
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Some GOOD NEWS for us VT residents from the MA bill that just passed. Not sure if the high cap mag restrictions apply or not if just passing through. It appears that if you DO stop for any reason (to get gas, grab a bite, etc) you are ok as long as you store your firearm in a locked container. A locked glovebox, or center console, meets the 131c requirements for storage. Here is the official bill text off the MA legislature's own website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4885 1302 (k) A nonresident may carry a firearm on their person while in a vehicle lawfully 1303 traveling through the commonwealth; provided, however, that the firearm shall remain in the 1304 vehicle and if the firearm is outside its owner’s direct control it shall be stored in the vehicle in 1305 accordance with section 131C. Furthermore, if you are a non resident "just traveling through" you do NOT have to register your firearms in accordance to the new law (unlike everybody else). 421 (d) This section shall not apply to firearms:..... 424 (iii) possessed by individuals 425 lawfully traveling through the commonwealth in the care and custody of a nonresident owner; So some good news for us nonresidents who would always try to avoid accidentally driving through MA like the plague (which was especially annoying considering that GPS would often route you through the state if you were traveling anywhere near the border). It's ironic that MA passes the most anti gun legislation in history for their own residents, and nonresidents actually gained freedom from it that they didn't have before! |
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**** UPDATE **** (as of 10/09/24) This is 100% legit. HERE is a new link to the actual codified law, vs just a link to a bill text, as the bill is now law! https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2024/Chapter135 Below quoted bill text is now codified into the law in Chapter 135: Section 45(k) (k) A nonresident may carry a firearm on their person while in a vehicle lawfully traveling through the commonwealth; provided, however, that the firearm shall remain in the vehicle and if the firearm is outside its owner’s direct control it shall be stored in the vehicle in accordance with section 131C. The nature of the text remains the same. The other provision mentioned in the bill that does NOT require non residents to register their firearms while traveling through the state (unlike those with nonresident LTCs who have to) is: Section 32(d): (d) This section shall not apply to firearms: (iii) possessed by individuals lawfully traveling through the commonwealth in the care and custody of a nonresident owner; provided, however, that the firearms are stored in accordance with sections 131C and 131L; Section 131C (a) No person carrying a loaded firearm under a license issued pursuant to section 129B, 131 or 131F or through an exemption under section 129C shall carry the loaded firearm in a vehicle unless the loaded firearm while carried in the vehicle is under the direct control of the person. Whoever violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of $500. Section 131L |
