Yes, I think that you are right but your friend moved to Mass. as his choice. The people of Mass. chose the laws that they have. Yes , it is too bad that an upstanding citizen would have Felony charges against him. But that is Mass. State law. That is why I work in Mass. but live in NH. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If your friend has been informed that he is in a Felony violation, and has been slow to take action, I wouldn't feel bad for him.
I don't like Mass. gun laws so I have chosen to live elsewhere. Because I work in Mass. I have to make sure all the mags that I take with me into Mass. are pre ban. The same with a lower. I have a Colt M16 RR. I pay $100 a year for a Class A LTC. I still can't bring my Colt into Mass. So if I want to stop at the range on the way home, I have to drive by the range. Go the 15-20 minutes to my house. Pick up the 16 and drive the 15-20 minutes back to the range. Or I can take a pre ban lower, title I upper, and pre ban mags, with me to work and stop on the way home. That is my choice. But I respect Mass. State law even though I don't agree with it.
Scott