I have been doing research on this lately and decided I should share my findings with the board. My findings probably dont affect a huge number of posters, but MA weapon laws can be strict. If anything these findings will help others to carefully check their own laws.
You need a FID to purchase any firearm and ammo in mass, regardless of caliber, power, capacity, etc... The license application costs $100, and is contingent on passing a hunters certification course (unless that is the sporting licence application? I will have to double check that). The hunter certification course costs another chunk of change. In order to buy a large caliber, high capacity firearm, or a handgun you must get an LTC instead. My point is that you must jump through hoops to get a firearm. Many are not able to get one for financial reasons, living arrangements, being in an apartment or dorm room, etc.
I was researching the laws regarding high powered airguns among other potentially useful weapons such as slingshots, knives, frog/fishing spears/gigs, bows and arrows, etc. Many think that slingshots are illegal in massachusetts. I believe this is not the case. MGL Chapter 269 Section 12 prohibits the manufacture and sale of slingshots, but Chapter 269 Section 10 says nothing about the possession sling shots.
They do mention the posession of "slung shots" which are a completely different weapon listed in section 12 manufacture and sale, but nothing about possessing a SLING SHOT. Slung shots are weights attached to a string and thrown at the person. See Google define 'slung shot'. It sounds to me that sling shots, wrist rockets, forked sticks and rubber bands, etc are all legal to own in mass (as long as you dont get arrested for a disturbing the public peace with it on your person)
Now onto air rifles, Chapter 269 Section 12A prohibits sale of an air rifle to anyone under 18 years of age. Thats only sale. Section 12B prohibits anyone under age 18 from several things, but also discharging one over a road, railway or right of way. This means that as long as you are 18, you may buy and own an air rifle, just dont shoot into or from roads. There is no gun license required, and it is lawful to hunt with them for certain small game species.
I am still looking further into the bow and arrow laws, and since this post is getting kind of long already I will save that for a later post. But sling shots and air rifles are two very viable options for survival weapons to anyone who cant get, or would rather not get a real firearm.
Although they arent the best option, they are better than nothing. They are not cost prohibitive, you can get a decent powered airgun for $80, sling shots for well under $40, you can get ammo for the airgun really cheap (250 pellets for $5), they last a good long while, reliable, etc. Ammo for the slingshot (the powerful, wrist brace style) consists of metal balls, marbles, or just rocks.
I myself have a Crosman Quest with a scope (nothing to say on that one yet, I just bought it), and a sling shot that I am rusty with. For gathering food in a survival situation, I am sure either would do for small game, the Crosman Quest is rather heavy to carry about though...
Let me know what you think, if looking at the laws in this way has been helpful, or what you think about not owning a real firearm for various reasons, at least getting an air rifle, or powerful slingshot. All input and feedback is welcome
You need a FID to purchase any firearm and ammo in mass, regardless of caliber, power, capacity, etc... The license application costs $100, and is contingent on passing a hunters certification course (unless that is the sporting licence application? I will have to double check that). The hunter certification course costs another chunk of change. In order to buy a large caliber, high capacity firearm, or a handgun you must get an LTC instead. My point is that you must jump through hoops to get a firearm. Many are not able to get one for financial reasons, living arrangements, being in an apartment or dorm room, etc.
I was researching the laws regarding high powered airguns among other potentially useful weapons such as slingshots, knives, frog/fishing spears/gigs, bows and arrows, etc. Many think that slingshots are illegal in massachusetts. I believe this is not the case. MGL Chapter 269 Section 12 prohibits the manufacture and sale of slingshots, but Chapter 269 Section 10 says nothing about the possession sling shots.
They do mention the posession of "slung shots" which are a completely different weapon listed in section 12 manufacture and sale, but nothing about possessing a SLING SHOT. Slung shots are weights attached to a string and thrown at the person. See Google define 'slung shot'. It sounds to me that sling shots, wrist rockets, forked sticks and rubber bands, etc are all legal to own in mass (as long as you dont get arrested for a disturbing the public peace with it on your person)
Now onto air rifles, Chapter 269 Section 12A prohibits sale of an air rifle to anyone under 18 years of age. Thats only sale. Section 12B prohibits anyone under age 18 from several things, but also discharging one over a road, railway or right of way. This means that as long as you are 18, you may buy and own an air rifle, just dont shoot into or from roads. There is no gun license required, and it is lawful to hunt with them for certain small game species.
I am still looking further into the bow and arrow laws, and since this post is getting kind of long already I will save that for a later post. But sling shots and air rifles are two very viable options for survival weapons to anyone who cant get, or would rather not get a real firearm.
Although they arent the best option, they are better than nothing. They are not cost prohibitive, you can get a decent powered airgun for $80, sling shots for well under $40, you can get ammo for the airgun really cheap (250 pellets for $5), they last a good long while, reliable, etc. Ammo for the slingshot (the powerful, wrist brace style) consists of metal balls, marbles, or just rocks.
I myself have a Crosman Quest with a scope (nothing to say on that one yet, I just bought it), and a sling shot that I am rusty with. For gathering food in a survival situation, I am sure either would do for small game, the Crosman Quest is rather heavy to carry about though...
Let me know what you think, if looking at the laws in this way has been helpful, or what you think about not owning a real firearm for various reasons, at least getting an air rifle, or powerful slingshot. All input and feedback is welcome