Mail Order Ammunition Sales Issues

Have you tried to buy ammunition through the mail from an out of state vendor recently? GOAL members who attempted this have been repeatedly told that “It’s against the law to ship to Massachusetts” and “the law changed recently.”

Several companies specializing in catalog sales have made a business decision not to sell to Massachusetts because they find it nearly impossible to understand our convoluted state laws OR because they did not have the software to keep up with such sales. These companies have concluded that they should verify that purchasers have a license to carry or FID card. But they don’t have the capability of accepting a phone order, putting that order on hold, and matching it up with a piece of mail that comes in a week later. It’s a logistical nightmare that larger companies just can’t handle.

But what about this “the law changed recently” rumor that has surfaced? In fact, the “new” problem with internet and mail order sales has been created by the Massachusetts Attorney General, who is relying on his interpretation of certain sections of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1998, a law that is five years old. Our Attorney General recently conducted sting operations on selected out of state dealers, purchasing ammunition from internet sales sites and then serving the vendors with “five day letters” asking for a $5000 fine per transaction for allegedly “breaking” our state’s laws.

At issue are several questions such as whether an out of state vendor must be licensed to sell ammunition, where such sales are taking place, and what is the proper legal way for these sales to happen. Negotiations between lawyers, vendors and the AG’s office are ongoing.

In the meantime, the Gun Control Advisory Board may be considering a regulation to clarify what the process should be. GOAL is working to ensure that both in-state and out-of-state vendors have input into this process.

Given all of the above facts, many ammunition vendors are currently reluctant to sell in Massachusetts. We ask that you be patient with them while the lawyers sort it all out.    

(2)   Storage By Permit:  In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 148 § 13, the Board hereby prescribes the following quantities of explosive materials that shall be exempt from License, and Registration,  and may be kept, or stored in a building or other structure provided a permit has been obtained from the head of the local fire department;

(a)   Small Arms Ammunition:  Private Use.  Small arms ammunition in amounts over that specified in 527 CMR 13.04(1), that do not exceed 100,000 total rounds at any one time, may be kept for private use provided none of the individual limitations listed below are exceeded.

1.   10,001 to 30,000 rounds of rim fire ammunition.

2.   10,001 to 50,000 rounds of center fire ammunition not to include shotgun ammunition.

3.   10,001 to 50,000 rounds of shotgun ammunition not to include center fire ammunition.

(b)   Small Arms Ammunition:  Commercial Use. 

Not to exceed 200,000 rounds in any combination.

(c)   Small Arms Ammunition Primers: Private Use

Not to exceed 10,000  Small Arms Ammunition Primers.

(d)   Small Arms Ammunition Primers: Commercial Use

Not to exceed 100,000  Small Arms Ammunition Primers.

(e)   Smokeless Propellants: Private Use

1.   Not to exceed 48  pounds Smokeless Propellants.

2.   Persons under 18 years of age may not keep or store Smokeless Propellants.

3.   The head of the local fire department may limit the quantity of smokeless propellants stored by permit to as low as two pounds if such propellant shall be stored in a multiple family dwelling or a building of public access.

(f)   Smokeless Propellants: Commercial Use

Not to exceed 100  pounds smokeless propellant.

(g)   Black Powder: Private Use

1.   Not to exceed five pounds of black powder.

2.   Persons under 18 years of age may not keep or store black powder.

3.   The head of the local fire department may limit the quantity of black powder stored by permit to as low as two pounds if such black powder shall be stored in a multiple family dwelling or a building of public access.