[catch2otwo]

so my dads had a shotgun for since before I was born. I asked if i could have it and he didnt really care. Id like to go shooting with my roomates. but I live in NY during school so where do i start with getting licencing and stuff? never ever looked into owning a gun so any help will be appreciated. thanks

[hammadown]

some basic info:

Massachusetts Gun Licensing Requirements

You need an FID card to own a shotgun in Mass. You will likely need to be legalized to bring a gun into the state of NY once you get an FID in Mass (I am assuming you are a Mass resident??). I would also be cautious about how you get the gun to school (ie if you drive through Conn, check with that state to see laws for transporting guns from out of state). If you get pulled over and somehow searched, you want to make sure everything is legal.

[catch2otwo]

ya i live in mass. ill check into the link thanks. obviously gun wont be stored at our apt but in my roomates gun safe at home. any other technicalities to look for?

[JohnnyV]

I'm just about 100% certain that NY is no longer offering firearm liscenses to out of state residents. Not entirely certain but last I heard that was the case.

[catch2otwo]

so let me get this straight. Lets say i get my licence for the shotty here in mass. does that mean once i leave mass that licence is no longer useful? my roomate tells me here in ny you do not need a licence to buy a rifle or shotgun. i know handguns and concealing are a whole different story but im just using it to shoot clays on their land. this turned into a cluster real quick. didnt think it was such a hassle to own a gun in the state. guess i just got to sit and read all this stuff over

[markbvt]

Check the relevant state laws, but most states concentrate their efforts on handguns and "assault rifles." Shotguns are typically not very heavily regulated, aside from sales.

NY (state, not city) does allow handgun ownership by residents, but they do not allow nonresidents to transport handguns through the state (significant jailtime if you get caught).

--mark

[hammadown]

Originally Posted by catch2otwo

so let me get this straight. Lets say i get my licence for the shotty here in mass. does that mean once i leave mass that licence is no longer useful? my roomate tells me here in ny you do not need a licence to buy a rifle or shotgun.

That probably applies to residents of NY (I dont know the NY laws, just guessing). In maine, where I am from originally, all you need to buy a gun is a ME ID (so you dont need a special license to buy one). However, in order to purchase a gun from a Maine dealer, (say kittery trading post has the gun I want), I have to first be licensed in MA to own said gun, then the trading post has to transfer the gun to a MA dealer before I can get it. In other words, if you are a resident of a state, it is their laws that dictate what you need to buy a gun, and you must go through a transfer dealer from your state. Once you own a gun, you need to be licenced in whatever state you want to carry it (so essentially the MA laws do not apply, only thos of the state you are bringing the gun. Confused yet? lol

I agree, there needs to be a federal license that it legal for all states. Its not like the criminals (the people these laws are designed to stop) are going to follow any of this crap anyway. It just makes it harder for us law abiding folks to be legal!


One more thing: I would be very cautious about storing a gun at someone else's house. If it is yours, it should be in your house, locked under your control only. The laws may vary form state to state on this, but in my opinion it is just good practice. If you dont control its access and something happens with it, whose fault is it? Think about it.

[ChrisNoF4i]

My suggestion is just to sell the gun to your roommate for a nominal fee (through a transfer agent of course) and let him/her keep it in his/her safe. He/She sounds like a reasonable person.

[catch2otwo]

ya this is getting pretty confusing. i got a few weeks before i come back for xmas break so ill have time to read up on this stuff. cant wait to shoot some clays though, looks so fun

[JohnnyV]

If all you have is a Mass liscense, it only applies to Massachusetts. For instance my father wanted to head up to NH this season to do some hunting. He had to get the NH application and apply for an out of state liscense.

[SSearchVT]

Call the NY State Police to verify this it may have changed since I was in Rochester in the mid 90's. As long as it is shoulder fired it does not need to be registered (provided you are outside NYC). If you're just looking to get into skeet or sporting clays you don't need a liscense.

[catch2otwo]

i live in rochester now, go to school at RIT. ill have to check with both states to be sure, since it will have to be transported out of mass. ill probably want to shoot in mass too

[JohnnyV]

Good school, my buddy just graduated from there with I think a graphic design degree.

[SSearchVT]

Originally Posted by catch2otwo

i live in rochester now, go to school at RIT. ill have to check with both states to be sure, since it will have to be transported out of mass. ill probably want to shoot in mass too

Class of 95 - BSME, lived in Perkins, and also some crummy apartment complex right around the corner...

[catch2otwo]

ahh cool im Mech Eng Tech. , partied in perkins a couple weekends ago. what a dump haha. SSearch, do you do engineering in new england now? im on co-op right now in rochester (thus have tons to time to pursue new hobbies) but going to graduating in 09.

[SSearchVT]

Originally Posted by catch2otwo

ahh cool im Mech Eng Tech. , partied in perkins a couple weekends ago. what a dump haha. SSearch, do you do engineering in new england now? im on co-op right now in rochester (thus have tons to time to pursue new hobbies) but going to graduating in 09.

Up until last spring I was doing better then just being an Engineer in New England I managed to find Engineering positions in Vermont (I知 a ski bum and outdoor nut). In February my roommate from RIT called and offered me a position to handle the day to day operations for his computer company. Virtual product = virtual office. I work out of my house!!!!

[Doc]

Getting into shooting? Take a Hunters safety course.

I don't care if you don't hunt. It will teach you proper weapon handling.

[catch2otwo]

cool ssearch, maybe ill be calling you when i get out of here haha.. as far as the safety course, im pretty sure its required in mass in order for you to get a licence. but whether or not its required i was probably going to take one anyway, never played with guns before so its a no brainer. dont want to be the asshole that shoots someone in the leg or something cause i never held a gun before

[SSearchVT]

When I was there RIT offered Trap and Skeet as a Phy Ed elective (took it 5 times). It would be a nice addition to the hunters safety course.

[Royb]

If all you have is a Mass liscense, it only applies to Massachusetts. For instance my father wanted to head up to NH this season to do some hunting. He had to get the NH application and apply for an out of state liscense.

Only if you want to carry it concealed. If handguns are allowed for hunting in the state you will be hunting in, you only need a hunting license. I hunt in many states with a handgun with zero issues. Even Massachusetts, which has extremely strict laws, allows an out of state resident to use a handgun for hunting as long as he/she has a hunting license and is engaged in the act of hunting in an area that allows hunting. Otherwise the handgun needs to be locked away in some type of container.

[catch2otwo]

Originally Posted by SSearchVT

When I was there RIT offered Trap and Skeet as a Phy Ed elective (took it 5 times). It would be a nice addition to the hunters safety course.

no such thing anymore. i got all my gym creds done with anyway. just a few more tech electives and im out of this place