Reddit help - interstate travel with a rifle in New England

[Mrs. Smith]

Good morning, NorthEast region,

There's a gentleman on Reddit who lives in VT but would like to attend an Appleseed event in MA. He has questions about travel restrictions etc. with rifles/pistols.  Could one of you with a Reddit presence give this fellow some information, please?

Many thanks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/appleseed/comments/17yvrrz/crossing_state_massachusetts_line/

[VietVet]

  The laws in the NE vary so differently from State to State.
Restrictions are so severe that any advice he gets should come from someone in Massachusetts.

  Rifles and pistol restrictions fall under different regulations.

  Again, his best info should come from someone from Mass.

[MattNH]

Responded on Reddit recommending attendance in NH.  MA is tricky/confusing and while I've run events and instructed there, I never bring any firearms or ammunition

[Mrs. Smith]

I saw that. Thanks Matt.

[jiminbolivar]

I also commented within that reddit thread just to clarify some other person's misleading post.

I dug into this previously because my wife and I thought it would be cool to attend an Appleseed where this all began. Unfortunately, it appears that this is not possible. Non-residents have little to no ability to possess or carry firearms or ammo in Massachusetts.

[upacreek]

I have US Law Shield and was taking a trip to an event in Mass last year (I live in GA, moved from MA).  I called and spoke with a MA lawyer to see if there was any way I could bring my rifles.  In a nut shell, you can legally, but hope you don't get stopped. I'm paraphrasing - if you get stopped, it's up to the policeman whether or not he recognizes you're going to a class, sanctioned event, or whatever the legal BS word it is.  If he determines that the event doesn't meet the criteria (which it absolutely does) he can arrest you.  The judge has the same decision to make and can leave you in jail or fine you or whatever the penalty is - it won't be good. 

While it would have been nicer and easier for everyone involved if I brought at least the rifles to cover the people I brought to the event (5), it wasn't worth the risk based on someone else's opinion.  Let him know not to bring ammo either.  They need a license or permit for that too.  If he decides to risk it - make sure there are locks on everything that need locks.  I know the rifle cases needed them.  The ammo might need them too.  There were other laws too about the stock, maybe grip and maybe mag capacity.

The bright side is that the MA instructors kick butt and had all the ammo, rifles, and equipment we needed for my group and the many others that needed it.  It was a great shoot and pretty awesome that the North Bridge was about a 20-25 minute drive from the Harvard range.  I visited after Saturday's fun.

[300berg]

Upacreek is right.  Technically legal for travel to a sporting event, but it will be officers discretion.  GOAL in MA (Gun Owners Action League) recommends anyone traveling in-state to bring copies of the law and your Appleseed registration.  Tough choice.

Nice post on reddit, MattNH.