A message for Massachusetts pards with regard to gun registration and how to avoid being a felon.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I was at two different gun shops yesterday, and I learned something disturbing.   Last year, as we all know, a horrid new gun law was passed here in the Commonwealth.  (What else is new.)  Among other things, a new registration system has been created, and each and every gun in Massachusetts MUST be registered in the new system within one year of it going live.  It is scheduled to go live in mid October.   If you happen to possess an unregistered gun after that year, you are be definition a felon and are looking at prison.

But now, here is the kicker, guns already registered in the current system may or may not transfer over to the new system.   If they don't, we all need to go online and "re-register" everything we own.   If they do carry over, there is no need to re-register.   The problem is that it is unclear as to if the stuff in the old system will carry over to the new one.   If you go to the Gun Owners Action League website, they have information about all of this.   Right now, they are saying that it seems like if things are already registered that they will carry over, so there is no need to re-register, but I get the feeling that there is some ambiguity.

If nothing carries over, we've all got to re-register everything.

But let's assume the existing records do transfer over.  From here on out, this is my opinion of the whole mess.  Even if you know your guns are registered, can you prove it?   Did you save a copy of your FA-10 from when you bought the gun?  If you don't have a copy, it would probably be wise to re-register the gun(s) in question.  Now, that being said, you can write to the Commonwealth and ask for a listing of everything that is registered in your name.   The cost is $20.  I did this once a few years ago, but I am planning to do it again, just so I know 100% for sure what is registered, and what is not.   

And if I have anything that is not registered, (which I am sure I probably do) I will register them now.  I do not want to wind up in jail.   Or, if I have anything I just don't want to register, I'll take it up to my nephews' cabin in New Hampshire and leave it up there, never to return. 

Oh, btw, if you are from out of state and you want to come to Massachusetts to go hunting, or participate in a shooting competition, you MUST have a Massachusetts gun permit AND register your guns before you bring them in to the state.  This has been in effect since the law was passed last year, and has had very devastating effect on things like Cowboy Action Shooting; nobody from the rest of New England comes to shoots in Massachusetts any more, leading to them being cancelled.

Oh yeah, antiques don't have to be registered.  Sort of...

Part of the law says...  " “Antique firearm”, any firearm or replica thereof manufactured in or prior to the year 1899 if such firearm: (i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition";  As I read that, if you've got an antique Colt or Winchester (one made before 1898) chambered in .44-40 or .45-70 or a converted cap and ball revolver, it's got to be registered.

And if you happen to own guns made before 1968 that don't have serial numbers, they too need to be registered.   They don't have to have a new serial number created for them, but they have to be registered as "no serial number."

And, a frame is a firearm now.   So if you've got just a frame, it's got to be registered, and it MUST have a serial number.

Here's some links...

GOAL site with information about all of this:  https://www.goal.org/registrationonline

 

Form to request records of what you have registered:  https://www.mass.gov/media/2656/download

It looks like the records only go back to 1985, so anything purchased before then needs to be re-registered.

From a legal standpoint, any of my opinions on all of this may or may not be correct, so take them under advisement.  (Other than the fact that it's all a load of bovine excrement.  That is undeniably true.)   As I learn more about this, I'll have to decide if I need to re-register everything, or just things I can't prove are already registered.  Or for that matter if the records don't carry over to the new system, it's a moot point and all has to be redone anyway.

One of the dealers I was at today told me that he's heard different police organizations say that it's all unenforceable, and possibly unconstitutional.  But, this is Massachusetts, so what does the Constitution matter?

What a nightmare.

Welcome to the People's Republic of Massachusetts.

Edited September 28, 2025 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

[Blackwater 53393]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts can now officially register the mistletoe attached to my shirt tail!!

 

Schoolmarm has never been farther up the east coast than New York and has expressed interest in seeing the “New England” states.  I have been to all of them, fortunately, before some of them became the anti-civil rights wasteland that they are now!  If she DOES visit Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut, IT WILL LIKELY BE WITHOUT ME!!

 

I have NO intention of or interest in spending my money or time in any place where my freedom is infringed upon!!

 

In the immortal words of Charlie Daniels, “AIN’T IT GREAT TO BE ALIVE AND BE IN TENNESSEE!!”

 

I ain’t lost nothing in Massachusetts, except a little time and that’s something I can’t get back, so there’s nothing else there I would go back for!

[Alpo]

You can always do what the second amendment was put in the Constitution for -armed rebellion against a tyrannical government.

[John Kloehr]

I have been in Massachusetts one time, drove through one corner of it on my way elsewhere.

 

Pulled over at a rest stop before entering the state. Emptied my magazines, cleared my carry, secured it in a locked container per Massachusetts law.

 

That ten minutes driving through the little corner of the state (non-stop) exposed me to some of the most aggressive and angry drivers I have ever seen.

 

Pulled off at the first exit on the other side of the state, reloaded my mags, holstered up, and could not help but seriously reflect on the old saying, "An armed society is a civil (polite) society."

 

Now with these new laws, I wonder if my actions nearly a decade ago would still be legal today.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

I had the misfortune of being Stationed in Massatwoshits from '86 to '88. I had but one gun back in those days, and it never saw the light of day the entire time we were there. 

While there are a FEW decent people there, by in large Pilgrims are some of the rudest, nastiest, and overall unpleasant I've ever had to deal with. I cannot see myself EVER going back there. I met other Marines in other Duty Stations from there, and even THEY said they'd never go back. 

 John Kloehr is right about their driving too. On any freeway type road, they use the Right hand shoulder as a high speed passing lane. That is when they're not reading a NEWSPAPER draped over the steering wheel. 

I'm truly sorry for anybody who lives there, but it's your choice so I'm not that sorry. 

I'd hate to be forced to choose between Massatwoshits and Kalifornia as a place of residence.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

You could bite the bullet and move out that communist state, because if they start to build wall to keep you in you'd better get out fast

[Doc Shapiro]

What @Forty Rod SASS 3935 said.  We fled CA for free pastures.  Full bore gun registration is just a hard no for me.  Best of luck.

[Cypress Sun]

Massachusetts laws haven't just happened within the last few years. They've been slowly voted in over decades of voter apathy and fraud.

 

States like Massachusetts, California, Maryland and many others didn't get the way they are now overnight.

 

Remember that when EVERY election cycle rolls around. Do a little research on EVERY candidate no matter how insignificant the election may seem. Rights don't get taken away by anyone other than the voters themselves. 

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

As we here in Canada have had demonstrated to us:
Registration Leads to Confiscation.

And we are now facing the imminent demise of ALL the shooting sports. 

[Doc Shapiro]

17 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

Massachusetts laws haven't just happened within the last few years. They've been slowly voted in over decades of voter apathy and fraud.

 

States like Massachusetts, California, Maryland and many others didn't get the way they are now overnight.

 

Remember that when EVERY election cycle rolls around. Do a little research on EVERY candidate no matter how insignificant the election may seem. Rights don't get taken away by anyone other than the voters themselves. 

 

And pay attention to the judges!

[Subdeacon Joe]

From your description it sounds as if the quockerwodgers,  wethers, and capons in your Legislature made the law as confusing and vague as possible so the ordinary citizen has no chance of complying with it if they have more than one firearm. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

3 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

I ain’t lost nothing in Massachusetts, except a little time and that’s something I can’t get back, so there’s nothing else there I would go back for!

 

I sympathize, and don't blame you.   It is rather sad though, to see the cradle of our freedom so opening trashing it.   There are so many wonderful things to see and do here, but I can see why people will be avoiding our state, or even leaving it, over all of this dung.

[Blackwater 53393]

Last time I went through Mass. I was traveling to New Hampshire for a major SASS match. I had my son, Hatfield, with me and we were towing my vending trailer, hauling our match guns and gear, my inventory of bullets, ammunition, and Black Powder, and my hat and clothing inventory. I stopped and filled the tank of the truck, we ate lunch, and I placed all the carry guns and my truck gun in the trailer and double locked and sealed the doors on the trailer!  
 

I then proceeded to drive through Mass. and Conn. non stop!!  This was summer of 2010 and I was amazed at the rudeness and ill mannered behavior of the people on the roads!!  It was exactly the same way on the return trip and I swore then that it would be a stygian blizzard and Hades would be snowbound before I would pass that way again!

 

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

With regards to driving, there is a reason we are called Massholes.

 

[Pat Riot]

It amazes me that these Commonwealths of Massachusetts & Pennsylvania operate as if they are an extension of British rule and strive to be the mirror image of England with their oppressive rules and taxes. They seem to have forgotten about the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War and the Constitution.
California, Maryland, & Illinois are the same. 
 

They need a revolution of their own. 

[Chantry]

3 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

Massachusetts laws haven't just happened within the last few years. They've been slowly voted in over decades of voter apathy and fraud.

 

States like Massachusetts, California, Maryland and many others didn't get the way they are now overnight.

 

Remember that when EVERY election cycle rolls around. Do a little research on EVERY candidate no matter how insignificant the election may seem. Rights don't get taken away by anyone other than the voters themselves. 

 

I'll disagree.  As someone who lives in CT  and used to travel to MA once a year to an annual shoot, the majority of voters are not apathetic, they happen to AGREE with the bills being passed that have a negative effect on gun owners.

 

I was there at the CT Legislature building after the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary school, when they were discussing passing new gun laws.    The speaking started at 10 am and went until 4 am. The vast majority of people there spoke out against the proposed new gun laws.

 

The leadership in the CT Legislature, Democrat and Republican*, rammed through the legislation weeks later, using an "emergency clause" which the CT Supreme Court approved, to pass the CT" Assault Weapons" bill early one morning before most of the legislature even had a chance to read the entire bill.

 

Those of who live in blue states aren't going to vote out those politicians, what we have to hope for is a favorable court ruling, probably from the US Supreme Court.

 

And CT & MA have some of the worst drivers I have ever seen.

 

*It actually ended the political careers of one senior Democrat, the Speaker and two senior Republicans, one of which was the minority leader.

 

 

 

 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

1 hour ago, Pat Riot said:

It amazes me that these Commonwealths of Massachusetts & Pennsylvania operate as if they are an extension of British rule and strive to be the mirror image of England with their oppressive rules and taxes. They seem to have forgotten about the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War and the Constitution.
California, Maryland, & Illinois are the same. 
 

They need a revolution of their own. 

Pennsylvania isn't so bad.  Last week, I went online an applied for an out of state Pennsylvania CCW.  Cost all of $22.00.   The vert next day, I got an e-mail saying it was approved.  Please make an appointment within 30 days to pick it up in person.

I'll do that in two weeks. 

[Eyesa Horg]

Guess I won't be shooting in Mass. anymore. It's a shame. But not a snowballs chance I'm registering all my guns so that they can show up at my door to collect them. You folks are all welcome up here!

[Pat Riot]

1 hour ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Pennsylvania isn't so bad.  Last week, I went online an applied for an out of state Pennsylvania CCW.  Cost all of $22.00.   The vert next day, I got an e-mail saying it was approved.  Please make an appointment within 30 days to pick it up in person.

I'll do that in two weeks. 

Pennsylvania would tax the air it’s citizens breath if they could. They regulate the crap out of everything. It’s California without the weather and they only leave guns alone because Pennsylvanians would shoot up the place…but for some reason all these gun totin’ characters do is b**** about the taxes but they keep paying them. Weird 

[Cypress Sun]

2 hours ago, Chantry said:

 

I'll disagree.  As someone who lives in CT  and used to travel to MA once a year to an annual shoot, the majority of voters are not apathetic, they happen to AGREE with the bills being passed that have a negative effect on gun owners.

 

I was there at the CT Legislature building after the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary school, when they were discussing passing new gun laws.    The speaking started at 10 am and went until 4 am. The vast majority of people there spoke out against the proposed new gun laws.

 

The leadership in the CT Legislature, Democrat and Republican*, rammed through the legislation weeks later, using an "emergency clause" which the CT Supreme Court approved, to pass the CT" Assault Weapons" bill early one morning before most of the legislature even had a chance to read the entire bill.

 

Those of who live in blue states aren't going to vote out those politicians, what we have to hope for is a favorable court ruling, probably from the US Supreme Court.

 

And CT & MA have some of the worst drivers I have ever seen.

 

*It actually ended the political careers of one senior Democrat, the Speaker and two senior Republicans, one of which was the minority leader.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe they aren't apathic in the so called 'main' elections, but do they vote in every voting stage and cycle? Or has it gotten to be like many blue states where they  have the attitude of "What's the use, it won't do any good".

 

Maybe those that live in the blue states can't vote out "those" politicians right off the bat, doesn't mean they can try. Just as one has to take baby steps before one can walk, one has to start voting on both the small things that eventually and continually add up to become the big things.

 

No matter how red any state or how 2nd Amendment friendly a state is right now, all of that could end in just one or two voting cycles.

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

I’m thinking this may be less about a future means of confiscation than a future means of taxation like the “fees” we pay for cars and other property. Imagine an annual fee for each gun you own in order for you keep it. That’s a lot revenue. 

[Doc Shapiro]

6 minutes ago, Abilene Slim SASS 81783 said:

I’m thinking this may be less about a future means of confiscation than a future means of taxation like the “fees” we pay for cars and other property. Imagine an annual fee for each gun you own in order for you keep it. That’s a lot revenue. 

 

And will possibly come with an insurance requirement along the lines of "you must carry $xxxk in insurance for each firearm".  With the goal to make it so expensive that folks will welcome the $100 per gun buyback program.

Edited September 29, 2025 by Doc Shapiro

[Rip Snorter]

If life will not let you "Get out of Dodge" a great time to establish a secure storage unit complex just over the border.  Maybe membership.

[Rye Miles #13621]

What don’t these antigun states not understand SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED ?🙄

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

I can envision instances of “you have lived here all your life and this was manufactured 25 years ago and sold in NH.”

[Chantry]

13 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

Maybe they aren't apathic in the so called 'main' elections, but do they vote in every voting stage and cycle? Or has it gotten to be like many blue states where they  have the attitude of "What's the use, it won't do any good".

 

Maybe those that live in the blue states can't vote out "those" politicians right off the bat, doesn't mean they can try. Just as one has to take baby steps before one can walk, one has to start voting on both the small things that eventually and continually add up to become the big things.

 

No matter how red any state or how 2nd Amendment friendly a state is right now, all of that could end in just one or two voting cycles.

 

What makes you think the majority of the people in RI, MA, CT and other blue states want to vote these politicians out?   They LIKE what these politicians are doing.

[Cypress Sun]

2 hours ago, Chantry said:

 

What makes you think the majority of the people in RI, MA, CT and other blue states want to vote these politicians out?   They LIKE what these politicians are doing.

 

I wasn't referring to liberal voters that repeatedly vote in the anti-2nd politicians in either of my posts. I am referring to the (evidently) voters that have evidently given up hope on EVER changing the regime, don't think that they can change the situation and therefore don't vote in the 'small' elections. That is voter apathy. Those apathetic voters could learn a lesson from the liberals, liberals don't give up after repeated tries fail....they just get more rabid in their obsession of socializing their own government.

[pachaug kid]

Unfortunately, the largest cities in the state, having large populations , always seem to out vote the country folks. At the present time, if you are a democrat in CT. RI. MA. you could have a lifetime job.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

27 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

I wasn't referring to liberal voters that repeatedly vote in the anti-2nd politicians in either of my posts. I am referring to the (evidently) voters that have evidently given up hope on EVER changing the regime, don't think that they can change the situation and therefore don't vote in the 'small' elections. That is voter apathy. Those apathetic voters could learn a lesson from the liberals, liberals don't give up after repeated tries fail....they just get more rabid in their obsession of socializing their own government.

Here in Southern Arizona, (specifically Tucson and Pima County), we're outnumbered 3 to 1. The Dumocrats have it that good. they're so rabid that even when we have a decent Republican candidate that they agree with, they won't vote for him. But we still keep trying.

[Eyesa Horg]

19 minutes ago, pachaug kid said:

Unfortunately, the largest cities in the state, having large populations , always seem to out vote the country folks. At the present time, if you are a democrat in CT. RI. MA. you could have a lifetime job.

Same with our reps. When I write mine, 1 never replies, 1 tells me I don't need guns and the other reminds me she is in the Congressional Committee to stop gun violence. I still try, but I'm ridiculously outnumbered. At least so far the southern New England scourge of laws are still at bay, but I'm concerned about losing our Republican Governor. 🤞

Missed ya in Maine Kid!

[Cypress Sun]

19 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Same with our reps. When I write mine, 1 never replies, 1 tells me I don't need guns and the other reminds me she is in the Congressional Committee to stop gun violence. I still try, but I'm ridiculously outnumbered. At least so far the southern New England scourge of laws are still at bay, but I'm concerned about losing our Republican Governor. 🤞

Missed ya in Maine Kid!

 

Good on ya that you keep chipping away at the proverbial block.

 

[Chantry]

2 hours ago, Cypress Sun said:

 

I wasn't referring to liberal voters that repeatedly vote in the anti-2nd politicians in either of my posts. I am referring to the (evidently) voters that have evidently given up hope on EVER changing the regime, don't think that they can change the situation and therefore don't vote in the 'small' elections. That is voter apathy. Those apathetic voters could learn a lesson from the liberals, liberals don't give up after repeated tries fail....they just get more rabid in their obsession of socializing their own government.

 

It's not just the 2nd Amendment, the majority of voters want and like what the Democrats are doing.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

15 minutes ago, Chantry said:

It's not just the 2nd Amendment, the majority of voters want and like what the Democrats are doing.

A majority of voters in some places just want Santa Clause to keep giving them stuff.