New fellah from MA/VT

[Steve-O]

Long story short. I'm new to the forum, originally from Vermont (still a resident), living in MA after completing school, currently applying for my non-resident LTC but contemplating switching residencies to MA to avoid paying $100 a year for the LTC.

I've had my eye on a used XD40 subcompact at a shop back home in VT. Think I'm gonna get it next time I can get up there.

A few questions. I've never bought a handgun before, what's involved with the process?

Anyone know how the transition will work if I bought a gun in VT, then become a MA resident after buying it?

Any thoughts?

[tekhead1219]

Welcome from southeast Texas. Don't know the laws in VT or MA so I can't help you there. Check with the local law enforcement and they should be able to help you out. I don't believe there would be a problem if you moved AFTER you purchased the handgun.

[rockon]

I beleive that VT does not have any laws regulating CCW. I beleive you just have to be 21. I would try to find a vermont police website.

[Todd]

I grew up in and spent a good portion of my adult life in MA. And as a former Masshole, I mean this when I say .... STAY IN VERMONT! There's absolutely no guarantee you'll get your CCW if you move to MA, so don't move just to save $100. Remember, they are a "May Issue" state, not a "Shall Issue". There's a very good chance you'll be denied and have moved for nothing; if moving is for the CCW is the only reason you're going thete. At least in Vermont, you can carry in your home state, then get non-resident permits for the states you travel in. And from what I've hear, the "success rate" for getting a non-resident permit from MA is much higher than for a resident.

The $100 and the requirement of a class taken with a MA certified instructor hold me back, but I'm only there once or twice a year now.

[Steve-O]

I'd love to stay in VT, but my job is in MA. I want to be able to CCW whenever I feel like it, and a Non-Res in MA is only for competition purposes, not "All Lawful Purposes".

Since I technically live in MA (and have for the last 5 years), I feel obligated to switch residencies. I've already taken the required course, and $100 per year is not justifiable (versus $100 for 5 years for a resident). Plus, the non-res restrictions of only being able to carry when going to and attending shooting events really sucks.

VT doesn't require non-res permits for CCW do we?

[Todd]

and a Non-Res in MA is only for competition purposes, not "All Lawful Purposes".

You sure about that? Sounds like you are talking about a Class B permit and not a Class A permit. Here's some good info I found a while back (forgot where I got it, sorry):

A non-resident who wishes to possess and/or potentially CCW with a handgun in MA outside of the exceptions provided in Section 131G must obtain a "temporary License to Carry" from the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security - Criminal History Systems Board. (This, of course, assumes that the non-resident wouldn't otherwise be protected/exempted under an applicable federal law.) The MA non-resident LTC is based on the applicant's home handgun license, plus completion of an MA-approved firearms course, plus MA's own investigation of the applicant (including fingerprints), costs $100, and is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The application is not available online, but must be obtained from the EOPS by calling them and leaving a voice mail message with one's name and mailing address. The relevant MA government webpage is here at http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eopsterm...res&csid=Eeops. The phone number is (617) 660-4780, per the website. There is no confirmation of your request - the application package just shows up in the mail some time after you've left your voice mail message.

As with MA resident LTCs, there are two "classes" of non-resident LTC, class A and class B. The relevant definitions appear here in section 131 of the MGL: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/140-131.htm. The quick answer is that Class B licenses never permit CCW and don't permit possession of "large capacity" firearms, so there really is no reason to apply for the class B...just apply for the class A.

Unlike LTCs for MA residents, which are handled by the resident's local police department, the non-resident LTC is processed by the state government / state police. Also unlike the resident LTCs, based upon what I've learned it appears that the non-resident LTC is something closer to "shall issue". However, upon issuance an MA non-resident LTC will have at least the same restrictions as the applicant's home "LTC" or handgun license/permit. So, for NYS residents from non-NYC jurisdictions with CCW permits, your "target and hunting only" or other restrictions will be matched in the MA non-resident LTC you receive. For NYC "Premises - Residence" pistol license holders, I imagine the restrictions on the resulting MA non-resident LTC would be similarly tight, i.e., no CCW except in one's private home, and unloaded & locked transport required to and from a range or hunting location. In addition, it bears mentioning that MA firearms dealers are unable to sell handguns (also prohibited by federal law), long guns or even ammunition to non-residents, even to those who possess a valid MA non-resident LTC, so you'll need to bring your own ammunition with you.

[unpecador]

Welcome!

[buck32]

Welcome from Big Sky Country.

[banjar]

Welcome from North Carolina.

[will]

+1 from North Carolina.

[Steve-O]

You sure about that? Sounds like you are talking about a Class B permit and not a Class A permit. Here's some good info I found a while back (forgot where I got it, sorry):
[/I]

Almost 100% sure the wording on the application i was sent in the mail went something like "Non-Resident LTC's are only for the purpose of attending competitive shooting events".

Don't have the application with me currently but I will double check it when I get home.

[BeefyBeefo]

Welcome from Northern Colorado.

-Jeff-

[drummin man 627]

Welcome aboard from the Sunshine State. Maybe you can find some usable information at this web site. Good luck. http://www.handgunlaw.us/

[Marcus99]

Welcome from a fellow MA resident, my roommates from Vermont too. Alot of laws on the books here. Moving from Vermont to MA? You'd be going from one of the most lenient states to one of the strictest in terms of gun laws. Good luck!

[Todd]

Almost 100% sure the wording on the application i was sent in the mail went something like "Non-Resident LTC's are only for the purpose of attending competitive shooting events".

Don't have the application with me currently but I will double check it when I get home.

I'd definitely be interested in that as it would make my decision not to get a MA LTC completely final. Just make sure you double check if you have a Class A or B application.

[Steve-O]

I'd definitely be interested in that as it would make my decision not to get a MA LTC completely final. Just make sure you double check if you have a Class A or B application.

Nevermind, I'm an idiot. Just re-read the application. The wording that confused me was "A LTC may be issued to a non-resident, non-citizen (alien) ONLY for the purpose of firearm competition."

Didn't see the "non-citizen" part the first time. Oh-well. Now I'm just waiting on a letter back from my local police chief from back home, then just gotta get some passport photos, a $100 money order, and mail this sucker in.

[Todd]

Nevermind, I'm an idiot. Just re-read the application. The wording that confused me was "A LTC may be issued to a non-resident, non-citizen (alien) ONLY for the purpose of firearm competition."

Didn't see the "non-citizen" part the first time. Oh-well. Now I'm just waiting on a letter back from my local police chief from back home, then just gotta get some passport photos, a $100 money order, and mail this sucker in.