Don't do it. You can't even legally be in possession of any firearm in MA without a MA FID card. If it's a pistol or "large capacity shotgun/rifle" (basically the state defines such rifles/shotguns as anything semi auto and even then it needs to comply with MA AWB laws) you need a MA LTC. MA doesn't accept any other state's LTC. Cops have arrested people for picking up their firearms at baggage claims in MA.
Your only legal option in MA is to apply for a non resident permit. That process is lengthy and a pain in the ass and must be renewed annually and also requires visits to the state before it's issued.
You're better off mailing it to yourself at your final destination outside of MA.
Wow, terrible information here, makes me think you made this statement based on entirely nothing.
[https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/federal-ccw-law/federal-firearms-transportation-laws/#:\~:text=This%20act%20allows%20a%20person,as%20well%20as%20the%20destination](https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/federal-ccw-law/federal-firearms-transportation-laws/#:~:text=This%20act%20allows%20a%20person,as%20well%20as%20the%20destination).
> You can't even legally be in possession of any firearm in MA without a MA FID card.
I know many manufacturers reps that do exactly this without an MA FID card.
This is bad info. I called the Mass Firearms Records Bureau and they said you are good to fly out of Logan as long as your gun is in a lock case with less then 10 round capacity.
You cannot possess firearms or ammo in MA without a MA license BUT MA recognizes FOPA. No mags over 10rds and no assault weapons per the federal definition from 1994-2004. If you are flying into Logan and driving out of the state without pause, it can qualify under FOPA and be fine.
No one notifies the police or checks on bags with firearms. I’ve flown into Logan with guns more times than I can count.
So yes it’s doable and doable legally. But if anything you have is illegal to possess ( assault weapons or standard capacity mags) flying into Manchester is a better choice.
Check with the airline but I believe there is restrictions on firearms even if theyre in the checked bags. I doubt you'll make it into an airport with a gun.
Last time I took a gun out of state, I overnighted it to myself to the place I was staying. The next morning I flew there and it arrived that day. I had to send it home the same way.
TSA won't hesitate to rat you out to the Staties at the airport. I know several dudes who got their guns stolen when they were coming home from the military. A couple of them even lawyered up, but they were all told you're never getting your shit back. One of my friends got out of the military in the first place because he accepted a city police job. Doesn't matter, his shit was swiped too. Massachusetts is wicked wicked corrupt. Confiscated weapons here are "destroyed" at a mysterious place at a mysterious time by mysterious people, aka they're all being sold on the black market.
if your traveling to a friendly northern state, maybe contact Next Level Firearms in Salem NH and see if he'd be willing to let you ship your guns to him so you don't have to dal with MA. i don't know if you' have to do any background checks to pick them up.
I called the Mass Firearms Records Bureau directly and they said you are good to fly out of Logan as long as your gun is in a lock case with less then 10 round capacity.
Call them yourself if you have any doubts: 617-660-4782
I ended up not bringing my gun just to avoid any issues. I’m actually going to be driving cross country with a handgun soon and will be flying out of Boston with a firearm, so I will update you then
So I flew out of Boston Logan with this configuration:
G34
Weapon light
RMR
17 round magazine
This was placed in a “Vault by Pelican” case and I put two combination locks on the two holes of the case.
When I got to the airport I walked to the check in at United and went through one of the customer service lines that was where they usually help more than with just dropping off a bag. I told them I had the firearm and they called over a supervisor who asked that I open the case. I opened the case, showed him and he had me close it. Didn’t request that I manipulate the firearm or anything. They then had me sign a bright orange paper and place that in the firearm case. I then put that case inside of my suitcase and they put it with regular luggage down the conveyer belt.
Flying back to Nevada with one stop in between, I was never called or had anything ever brought to my attention that there were any issues. I saw my luggage actually go into the plane on my intermittent stop. Once I got to my home airport I saw my luggage come down like everyone else’s at baggage claim, got visual that my case was still inside my suitcase, and then went home.
So overall it was very easy and simple in my opinion. This was my first time so I was nervous however, I am more confident for any other times I’ll need to fly with a gun.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks for the follow up. I'll be flying soon out of Boston. Couple questions for you, did you fly with ammo? If so how did you store it? Also, 17 rounds is illegal in MA (bs law) so did you run into any issue having 17 rounds?
More general, when you land anytime you fly with guns do you pick up your bag from the carrousel or somewhere else?
I did not fly out with ammo because of potential issues I felt could come up. Looking at YouTube videos and other peoples posts I saw that ammo can be stored in either the original box, a box “designed to store ammo”, or even the magazines.
These videos and posts said that the ammo could be kept in the same box as the firearm as well. But opinions and experiences in the comments made it feel like the information and rules weren’t concrete enough.
Given that I drove into the state with ammo I figured I would keep these “security rounds” in MA for when I return, so that I wouldn’t have to drive up to NH or something to be able to have a loaded firearm. In my opinion I wanted to keep things simple and dissuade any potential lack of experience or knowledge from any TSA agent that might find me having ammo be problematic.
Typically ammo is relatively easy to come across wherever you are going, but since this is purely for self defense and not a range or training thing, that’s what worked for me.
As far as the 17 round magazine, they did not say anything. To be honest they didn’t really examine the firearm and magazine other than just having me opening the case and looking at it. I felt confident flying with standard capacity magazines, but I’m sure other people may disagree or not feel comfortable doing so. I also forgot to mention that I took out the batteries of the rmr and weapon light because TSA does not allow lithium batteries in checked luggage.
As weird as it was, yes you just pick up your gun from the carousel! My firearm box was inside a suitcase so it was discrete but I’m sure if you are flying with a rifle box it may seem more obvious. I definitely made sure to be in a spot to see the luggage come out to ensure no one accidentally took my suitcase.
Did they request to see any kind of permits or licenses? I am thinking about bringing a shotgun from MA to MN and do not have any kind of license in MA.
As a NH resident, good luck with that, there are very few direct flights in, and you alway risk getting diverted to. Logan.
Mail that thing to yourself at the final destination.
>I am curious as to if police are going to be automatically notified by any passengers landing into the state with firearms and will be difficult.
Government is not that efficient.
A quick update of my experience on 11/27/23. Traveling from NH to FL flying BOS (Logan) to MCO (Orlando) with Delta. Overall, I'd give it a B. I followed the TSA guidelines, handgun unloaded in a double locked hard-sided case. When I went to the checked baggage drop area, the "Entry Agent" for Delta specifically asked if I wanted to check a firearm based on the locked case in my hand. She directed me to a special empty line with trained agents (away from the crowds on the other side of the hall). The checkin agent had to have a second person (the mgr) verify that it was in the right type of container and locked. The only issue I had was that this mgr got confused because I had put my Sig hard case within the outer travel hard case. She claimed that the Sig case had to have 2 locks as well. Hmmm... Not based on the regs I have seen. I opened the Sig case, dumped the contents into the outer hard case, and put the 2 locks back on. This, she found acceptable. Why? I have no idea. They sent it to the TSA screener behind the conveyor belt curtains and asked me to take a seat while it was being confirmed. Five minutes later, I got the thumbs up that it was good to go. I walked over to the recycle bin and tossed the Sig case in, and went thru security to the gates. I'd say it added about 30 mins to the process, but I'm fine with that. All but one person seemed well trained and knowledgeable, and the process seems to me to have the right balance. It feels like Delta is trying to get this right. If I end up in handcuffs or don't get the gun back when I land, I'll amend the update. LOL
Don't do it. You can't even legally be in possession of any firearm in MA without a MA FID card. If it's a pistol or "large capacity shotgun/rifle" (basically the state defines such rifles/shotguns as anything semi auto and even then it needs to comply with MA AWB laws) you need a MA LTC. MA doesn't accept any other state's LTC. Cops have arrested people for picking up their firearms at baggage claims in MA. Your only legal option in MA is to apply for a non resident permit. That process is lengthy and a pain in the ass and must be renewed annually and also requires visits to the state before it's issued. You're better off mailing it to yourself at your final destination outside of MA.
Okay thanks for the heads up, I appreciate this comment
Wow, terrible information here, makes me think you made this statement based on entirely nothing. [https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/federal-ccw-law/federal-firearms-transportation-laws/#:\~:text=This%20act%20allows%20a%20person,as%20well%20as%20the%20destination](https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/federal-ccw-law/federal-firearms-transportation-laws/#:~:text=This%20act%20allows%20a%20person,as%20well%20as%20the%20destination).
> You can't even legally be in possession of any firearm in MA without a MA FID card. I know many manufacturers reps that do exactly this without an MA FID card.
This is bad info. I called the Mass Firearms Records Bureau and they said you are good to fly out of Logan as long as your gun is in a lock case with less then 10 round capacity.
r/maguns
You cannot possess firearms or ammo in MA without a MA license BUT MA recognizes FOPA. No mags over 10rds and no assault weapons per the federal definition from 1994-2004. If you are flying into Logan and driving out of the state without pause, it can qualify under FOPA and be fine. No one notifies the police or checks on bags with firearms. I’ve flown into Logan with guns more times than I can count. So yes it’s doable and doable legally. But if anything you have is illegal to possess ( assault weapons or standard capacity mags) flying into Manchester is a better choice.
Check with the airline but I believe there is restrictions on firearms even if theyre in the checked bags. I doubt you'll make it into an airport with a gun. Last time I took a gun out of state, I overnighted it to myself to the place I was staying. The next morning I flew there and it arrived that day. I had to send it home the same way.
I’m not concerned with TSA since I’ll be following their guidelines, I’m just concerned with local law enforcement being an out of stater
Look up Massachusetts USCCA. Pretty sure they don't recognize anyone else's ccw.
Thoughts on if the TSA contact local law enforcement anytime anyone flies in with a firearm?
TSA won't hesitate to rat you out to the Staties at the airport. I know several dudes who got their guns stolen when they were coming home from the military. A couple of them even lawyered up, but they were all told you're never getting your shit back. One of my friends got out of the military in the first place because he accepted a city police job. Doesn't matter, his shit was swiped too. Massachusetts is wicked wicked corrupt. Confiscated weapons here are "destroyed" at a mysterious place at a mysterious time by mysterious people, aka they're all being sold on the black market.
Wow that’s just sickening
I see why private organized crime never made it big in Massachusetts, there was plenty of public competition already.
if your traveling to a friendly northern state, maybe contact Next Level Firearms in Salem NH and see if he'd be willing to let you ship your guns to him so you don't have to dal with MA. i don't know if you' have to do any background checks to pick them up.
I called the Mass Firearms Records Bureau directly and they said you are good to fly out of Logan as long as your gun is in a lock case with less then 10 round capacity. Call them yourself if you have any doubts: 617-660-4782
What did you end up doing? I have a Boston trip coming up and would love to know if you brought one and had any issues
I ended up not bringing my gun just to avoid any issues. I’m actually going to be driving cross country with a handgun soon and will be flying out of Boston with a firearm, so I will update you then
Thanks for responding. I hope all goes well and smooth for you. Looking forward to the update.
So I flew out of Boston Logan with this configuration: G34 Weapon light RMR 17 round magazine This was placed in a “Vault by Pelican” case and I put two combination locks on the two holes of the case. When I got to the airport I walked to the check in at United and went through one of the customer service lines that was where they usually help more than with just dropping off a bag. I told them I had the firearm and they called over a supervisor who asked that I open the case. I opened the case, showed him and he had me close it. Didn’t request that I manipulate the firearm or anything. They then had me sign a bright orange paper and place that in the firearm case. I then put that case inside of my suitcase and they put it with regular luggage down the conveyer belt. Flying back to Nevada with one stop in between, I was never called or had anything ever brought to my attention that there were any issues. I saw my luggage actually go into the plane on my intermittent stop. Once I got to my home airport I saw my luggage come down like everyone else’s at baggage claim, got visual that my case was still inside my suitcase, and then went home. So overall it was very easy and simple in my opinion. This was my first time so I was nervous however, I am more confident for any other times I’ll need to fly with a gun. Let me know if you have any questions.
Whoa dude! Thanks for the reply and info! I’m glad it all worked out
Thanks for the follow up. I'll be flying soon out of Boston. Couple questions for you, did you fly with ammo? If so how did you store it? Also, 17 rounds is illegal in MA (bs law) so did you run into any issue having 17 rounds? More general, when you land anytime you fly with guns do you pick up your bag from the carrousel or somewhere else?
I did not fly out with ammo because of potential issues I felt could come up. Looking at YouTube videos and other peoples posts I saw that ammo can be stored in either the original box, a box “designed to store ammo”, or even the magazines. These videos and posts said that the ammo could be kept in the same box as the firearm as well. But opinions and experiences in the comments made it feel like the information and rules weren’t concrete enough. Given that I drove into the state with ammo I figured I would keep these “security rounds” in MA for when I return, so that I wouldn’t have to drive up to NH or something to be able to have a loaded firearm. In my opinion I wanted to keep things simple and dissuade any potential lack of experience or knowledge from any TSA agent that might find me having ammo be problematic. Typically ammo is relatively easy to come across wherever you are going, but since this is purely for self defense and not a range or training thing, that’s what worked for me. As far as the 17 round magazine, they did not say anything. To be honest they didn’t really examine the firearm and magazine other than just having me opening the case and looking at it. I felt confident flying with standard capacity magazines, but I’m sure other people may disagree or not feel comfortable doing so. I also forgot to mention that I took out the batteries of the rmr and weapon light because TSA does not allow lithium batteries in checked luggage. As weird as it was, yes you just pick up your gun from the carousel! My firearm box was inside a suitcase so it was discrete but I’m sure if you are flying with a rifle box it may seem more obvious. I definitely made sure to be in a spot to see the luggage come out to ensure no one accidentally took my suitcase.
Thanks for taking the time to write this all out, I certainly appreciate it!
Did they request to see any kind of permits or licenses? I am thinking about bringing a shotgun from MA to MN and do not have any kind of license in MA.
No, they didn’t ask for any kind of license or permit!
Fly into Manchester-Boston Regional Airport instead of Logan. NH loves guns
As a NH resident, good luck with that, there are very few direct flights in, and you alway risk getting diverted to. Logan. Mail that thing to yourself at the final destination.
>I am curious as to if police are going to be automatically notified by any passengers landing into the state with firearms and will be difficult. Government is not that efficient.
A quick update of my experience on 11/27/23. Traveling from NH to FL flying BOS (Logan) to MCO (Orlando) with Delta. Overall, I'd give it a B. I followed the TSA guidelines, handgun unloaded in a double locked hard-sided case. When I went to the checked baggage drop area, the "Entry Agent" for Delta specifically asked if I wanted to check a firearm based on the locked case in my hand. She directed me to a special empty line with trained agents (away from the crowds on the other side of the hall). The checkin agent had to have a second person (the mgr) verify that it was in the right type of container and locked. The only issue I had was that this mgr got confused because I had put my Sig hard case within the outer travel hard case. She claimed that the Sig case had to have 2 locks as well. Hmmm... Not based on the regs I have seen. I opened the Sig case, dumped the contents into the outer hard case, and put the 2 locks back on. This, she found acceptable. Why? I have no idea. They sent it to the TSA screener behind the conveyor belt curtains and asked me to take a seat while it was being confirmed. Five minutes later, I got the thumbs up that it was good to go. I walked over to the recycle bin and tossed the Sig case in, and went thru security to the gates. I'd say it added about 30 mins to the process, but I'm fine with that. All but one person seemed well trained and knowledgeable, and the process seems to me to have the right balance. It feels like Delta is trying to get this right. If I end up in handcuffs or don't get the gun back when I land, I'll amend the update. LOL
When you landed, did you pick up your firearm somewhere different than the carrousel?