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Q. Are there any places in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that I cannot lawfully carry a firearm?
A. Yes many……
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Posted in Gun Sense
Hi Jim, you have already answered you’re own question, (“the owner is fine with you carrying when the business is not open”.)
I don’t see anything in MA law that prohibits carrying concealed in a bank, hospital or place of worship. Could you direct me to that section of law?
That is where “policy’ comes in Greg, that is not in law but on a case by case, place by place thing, as designated by the private owner/corporation/management etc. that is why you do not see it in statutory law, as I outlined in #35 Gun Sense.
After range can I carry my 9mm on me to Wal-Mart shopping or 7/11 if I don’t have lock for it in the car?
Yes you can, just make sure that it is concealed.
If you have ‘what if this’ or ‘what if that’ happens questions, and someone sees it…..my answer to you is to make sure that you correct all the ‘what ifs’ prior to leaving your house so that the ‘what ifs’ do not happen in the first place.
In my town voting is done at a closed armory that the town owns now. Can I leagally carry my concealed firearm and yes I do have a LTC-a for Ma or is there some law that I’m not seeing thanks Rich
Did you read #35 carefully? Please take another look.
Hi Mark, just discovered site: great info!
I have an “oddball” Q regarding voting:
Voting in Sturbridge is at the Oliver Wright Tavern owned by Old Sturbridge Village a “living museum”. I cannot find whether this is a public or privately held “museum”, if it is in actuality a true museum, and have no idea if cc is lawful in any case…please advise.
Thank you.
Please read #35 Gun Sense again carefully, twice if you don’t get it the first time.
Can I have a cc in a bar if I am not drinking??
Unless the bar has a ‘no guns allowed’ “policy”, why not?
Mark, great site! What law says that carrying in a MA state Courthouse is prohibited? Is it just a policy? If so, can one be prosecuted for violating “policy”? What’s the punishment for policy violations? Thanks and keep fighting the good fight!
They screen everyone entering a courthouse, if you do not have a badge do not carry into a court house.
So no law exists then? What’s the punishment?
What’s the question?
As asked above, is there a law on the books that states that non LEOs can’t carry in a Courthouse? Or, is it simply a policy of the trial court? Also, if there is no law on the books, than what possible punishment could there be for violating a policy?
Give it a whirl, then let me know how you made out.
“Give it a whirl, then let me know how you made out.”
HAHAHAHAHA yes good reply try it out and let us know what happens, 🙂
I am pretty sure There is no such law against taking a gun into a no guns allowed on private property. Can you site the section in mass law?
“I am pretty sure There is no such law against taking a gun into a no guns allowed on private property. Can you site the section in mass law?”
I never said there was a ‘law’ about guns going on private property, I said there is Law and there is Policy, the land owner has the right to have whatever policy he wants on his property, don’t confuse the two.
I understand that it’s legal to drink in a bar while carrying. Be very careful how much you drink. I also heard it is three years mandatory operating under the influence well carrying a firearm. Is this true?
As to what is ‘mandatory’ I would need to research that. But by using common sense, if you are going to a bar with the idea of getting smashed, leave the gun at home, don’t be foolish while carrying.
Just to be clear in MA if you have a LTC you can not CC in any establishment who’s primary source of income is alcohol even if you are not drinking. So you can bring it with you to a restaurant with a bar but not into a bar.
Just to be clear? I never said that, did you read #35 all the way or just kind of skim over it?
The law states it is illegal to be under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drugs. No limit is stated therefore NONE can be consumed while carrying.
I will take your word for that Jim, I do not drink so I never thought much about that.
You may want to change the wording in this statement then. It may give people the idea it is ok to consume while carrying.
“*Bars/Restaurant’s, Use your head when it comes to drinking at these places. If your bound and determined to get smashed, leave the gun at home. If your caught intoxicated while in possession of a firearm you will lose your license to carry. Just as if your caught intoxicated while driving a vehicle you will lose your drivers license. Here is the difference, in Ma. you will get your drivers license back loooong before you will get your gun license back, if ever…..keep that in mind.”
No, I stand by that, it is about using common sense, there is no law that says you can not have a drink while carrying a gun. Again, don’t do it and get drunk, that would be irresponsible.
Okay…so I am traveling in Mass WITH a valid LTC. I arrive at destination only to find I was mislead and there is a “NO WEAPONS ALLOWED” sticker on the door. I have to carry due to certain legal issues, but also must attend this meeting.
If I simply lock my handgun in the glove box or (locking) console and my car gets STOLEN….doesn’t that leave me wide open for not properly securing my weapon?
Yes. Are you being searched prior to getting inside the meeting room?…………..
Hi Mark
Can you help me understand what I might be missing if your saying there is no MA law that says you can’t have a drink while carrying.
Here is what the MA law, part IV, Title 1, ch 269, sec 10h says about carrying while drinking. what am I missing?
“Section 10H: Carrying loaded firearm while under influence of liquor, marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances; punishment
Section 10H. Whoever, having in effect a license to carry firearms issued under section 131 or 131F of chapter 140, carries on his person, or has under his control in a vehicle, a loaded firearm, as defined in section 121 of said chapter 140, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances, all as defined in section 1 of chapter 94C, or the vapors of glue shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than two and one-half years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.”
You answered your own question Jim. If you carry irresponsibly you may be caught and pay the price the same if you were to drive irresponsibly.
Mark,
1-Is there any campground or state park that ccw is prohibited by the law?
2-is it legal to keep the gun unloaded locked in the glove box on school parking lot?
Thanks
I don’t see anything about the state parks or campgrounds!
I think a law was passed that allows carry in the state parks, you should research that through google. But as far as personal safety, who protects you at home or out and about or in a park? Policies do not protect you,,,laws do not protect you,,, YOU protect you. Your RIGHT to self defense does not end the second you walk out your door………We all have a God given RIGHT to defend ourselves and our loved ones, NO ONE can take that away, I would rather deal with a jury than be a good little victim or another statistic just to keep the anti gun crowd happy……..!
Mark,
My company has a policy that states: “Per Massachusetts regulations on prohibition on carrying on posted property this also extends to company parking lots.”
I can find no regulation and they will not provide me the reference. Is it a moot point because they state that it’s prohibited in company parking lots?
Ron, I think that in this case the company is trying to use posted property regulations as in ‘No Trespassing Private Property’ and somehow extend it to a parking lot, I do not believe that they can do either. If they have a company policy stating no guns allowed on their property it would not have the force of law behind it, you could be fired but not criminally charged in my opinion.
Hi 2questions 1 do you need an fix card to carry mace or pepper spray 2 I have my LTC no restrictions if I’m just out and about am I allowed to carry my money 380 on my the whole time while I’m out in public thank you Barry
No, if your at least 18 your can now get pepper spray without a license. Read #35 Gun Sense to answer your second Question.
Great web site! Is it legal to carry on the MBTA & on the commuter rail lines … and in North Station in Boston? I scoured their web sites and don’t see any mention of firearms. Many thanks in advance.
I don’t see any reason, or ‘law’ as to why you should not. I suppose criminals without gun license’s and with stolen guns do it all the time…….