How to (Legally) Acquire a Gun from Outside of Massachusetts

Background - Federal Laws

The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits interstate firearms transfers except by manufacturers, dealers and importers licensed through a system set up under the Act that is generally referred to as the FFL network. FFL stands for Federal Firearms License or Federal Firearms Licensee.

One of the main purposes of the act was to prevent firearms from being sold directly to consumers through mail order. You have Lee Harvey Oswald to thank for this law - He purchased the Carcano M91/38 bolt action rifle used to kill JFK through the mail.

Before transferring a firearm to a consumer, the FFL is required to do an FBI background check to ensure the that the individual attempting to acquire the firearm is not a federally "prohibited person".

Background - State Laws

Massachusetts has a number of regulations that restrict what dealers are able to transfer to LTC holders. Handguns must be MA-compliant. Semi-auto rifles and shotguns made after September 13, 1994 must comply with both the Assault Weapons Ban and any subsequent attorney general's office enforcement notices. Bolt action rifles/shotguns, pump action shotguns/rifles, rimfire .22 LR rifles, and fixed magazine semi-auto shotguns with a capacity of 5 rounds or less are almost always transferable.

The Interstate Transfer Process Step-by-Step

Before purchasing a firearm from a website like Gunbroker.com, Armslist, Grab-A-Gun, an online retailer like Bud's Gun Shop, or through a private sale from out-of-state, you should ensure that a local dealer is willing/able to transfer it. I do firearm transfers.

Here's the process:

Contact a local (to you) Federal Firearms License holder (a.k.a. a Dealer or FFL) and ask if they're willing to transfer the firearm that you want to buy. Provide a link to the firearm if you're buying it online. For a handgun, the detailed specifics determine whether or not it is MA-compliant, so include the SKU if you can. If it is a firearm from a private party, include the manufacturer, model, and serial number.

The local dealer sends a file copy of their FFL to the seller.

The seller ships the gun to your local dealer (get a tracking number from the seller).

Your local dealer will transfer it to you after doing the federal and state background checks. Dealers will charge from $25 to $75 for the transfer.

NOTE: Different dealers have different interpretations of the law. If a dealer refuses to transfer a firearm that you believe is compliant, contact a different dealer.

I hope you found this post informative. If you would like to facilitate an interstate transfer, feel free to contact me here (I'm an FFL), or message me on Facebook (Jim Finnerty).