North East Redneck
New member
In April of this year, the court case of Commonwealth vs. Jefferson, determined that firearms manufactured before the year 1900, including blackpowder handguns are exempt from G.L. c. 140, 131, this is a reversal of Commonwealth vs. Bibby from 2002. In which the court found that blackpowder handguns were considered to be firearms under c. 140, 121. This meant that you needed to legally have an LTC to posses said firearms outside of your home in agreement with c. 269 10 (a).
c. 140 131 covers licences to carry firearms, 131 does not apply to firearms made prior to 1900. Therefore a firearm made before 1900 is not restricted by an LTC, under the Commonwealth vs. Jefferson ruling. You must however have at least an FID to posses the powder and cap used for a C&B revolver, also you must posses at least an FID to have any cartridge ammunition.
Does this mean you can carry a Ruger Old Army or an Italian repro of an 1800's revolver? Or does it apply only to a firearm actually produced prior to 1900? Like most gun laws in mass, it is written to be open ended and a true conclusion is open to opinion. If you have an LTC with restrictions on it, I would recomend you contact your issuing officer for clarification before violating the terms of your permit.
Yup, mass is insane, if you love your freedom, dont move here. Im stuck for awhile, job and wife and (step)kid........
c. 140 131 covers licences to carry firearms, 131 does not apply to firearms made prior to 1900. Therefore a firearm made before 1900 is not restricted by an LTC, under the Commonwealth vs. Jefferson ruling. You must however have at least an FID to posses the powder and cap used for a C&B revolver, also you must posses at least an FID to have any cartridge ammunition.
Does this mean you can carry a Ruger Old Army or an Italian repro of an 1800's revolver? Or does it apply only to a firearm actually produced prior to 1900? Like most gun laws in mass, it is written to be open ended and a true conclusion is open to opinion. If you have an LTC with restrictions on it, I would recomend you contact your issuing officer for clarification before violating the terms of your permit.
Yup, mass is insane, if you love your freedom, dont move here. Im stuck for awhile, job and wife and (step)kid........