Ammunition Laws In Massachusetts
BY Herschel Smith
7 years ago
News from the land of the communists.
Boston — Massachusetts has some of the toughest gun and ammunition laws in the country, but 5 Investigates put some of those laws to the test and found just how easy it is to purchase hundreds of rounds of ammunition without the proper license.
Within minutes, 5 Investigates went online and was able to buy that ammunition and get it delivered within a few days of ordering, no questions asked.
At the The Gun Parlor, a licensed gun and ammunition dealer in Worcester, ammunition is readily available for purchase by Massachusetts residents if they have a license to carry (LTC) or a firearms identification card (FID), which is required by law.
Justin Gabriel, owner of the gun shop, said no one can come in his store and buy ammunition without a proper license. “Absolutely not,” he said. “You need a license. Whether you have an FID or LTC, you need one of those licenses in Massachusetts to purchase the ammo.”
But 5 Investigates discovered that’s not always the case online when we managed to score 450 rounds of ammunition with no firearms license required.
Working with a WCVB employee who is properly licensed, 5 Investigates set up an account with Connecticut-based online dealer Target Sports USA and ordered nine boxes of .40 caliber full metal jacket bullets.
The questionable deal was done, and 5 Investigates was never asked for or any type of ID, even though our account and shipping address made it clear the ammunition was headed for Massachusetts, which is one of a handful of states that restricts online purchases like this.
It’s alarming because in our purchase, anyone with just a credit card could have gotten their hands on that ammunition. Not only must Massachusetts residents be of age and have the proper firearms license, but the companies must be licensed by the state to sell it here legally.
Just a few days later, FedEx rolled down the driveway and delivered the goods. The box containing hundreds of bullets was left on the doorstep for anyone to grab.
The 5 Investigates probe also showed this was not just a one-time event.
This story began with a tip from a licensed gun owner troubled that he could order 2,000 rounds of ammunition from the same company, no questions asked. Again, the firepower was left on his doorstep for anyone to access.
“This is just putting the stuff in the hands of the wrong people,” the man said. “You don’t want someone who shouldn’t have a gun that’s got a gun [and] now they have an unlimited supply of ammo through the mail.”
5 Investigates’ purchase and others like it are particularly chilling in the wake of some of the deadliest shootings in our nation’s history, where in some cases thousands of rounds of ammo were bought online and stockpiled.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who enforces some of the toughest gun laws in the country, is troubled by what 5 Investigates could do.
“I think people would be very surprised by that and outraged, and that is in fact why we have laws in Massachusetts that prohibit that kind of conduct,” Healey said. “We don’t want to see people stockpiling ammunition illegally and unlawfully here in Massachusetts.”
Well, I’m sure it makes everyone feel safer with Maura on the case. She never misses a chance to infringe.
Can you smell the self-righteous shock and indignation from the writer? The ammunition laws in Massachusetts must make the collectivists proud. My goodness, how far they’ve fallen from the war of independence where British gun control catalyzed the war of independence.
On December 11, 2017 at 9:04 am, Duke Norfolk said:
Good grief. The hyperventilation and rabbit-y panic sure comes through, doesn’t it?
And how about that MA gun owner who tipped them to this “alarming” story in the first place. What a douche bag. Indeed it is saddening to see how far MA has fallen.
On December 11, 2017 at 9:17 am, Frank Clarke said:
Don’t they teach students in Governing 101 that you should never make a law you can’t enforce? I join with AG Healy’s shock and surprise that some people break the law both illegally AND unlawfully and there seems to be nothing she can beyond pout.
http://tinyurl.com/TipgPt2
On December 11, 2017 at 10:39 am, Greg said:
They bought ammo, oh my the problem is they feel that their situation is normal, but it’s only normal for that little tiny patch of mud called Mass. The rest of the free world can walk into any gun store or Walmart with cash and get a thousand rounds. The biggest issues with this story is the state passing feel good do nothing laws.
On December 11, 2017 at 11:05 am, Pat Hines said:
These are the effete Yankees that are going to come down south and whip us again if we move to secede.
Yeah, un huh.
On December 12, 2017 at 9:26 am, Michael said:
Huh, so what stops someone from Taxachusetts from driving to another “freer” state and simply buying the ammo there and bringing it back?
Here in Utah? No license or government permission slip required. :)
On December 13, 2017 at 3:44 pm, Longbow said:
Dear Lord! You mean to tell me… that mere Mortals can purchase ammunition from a vendor without having to beg permission from their Masters first?
What is the world coming to?
Submit! Submit! Its what Free Men do!