The Impact of MA H.4885
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over the impact of MA H.4885 today. This recent legislative action in Massachusetts has far-reaching implications for shooters in the Commonwealth. We are going to go over the many changes ushered in by this recent action and how they affect shooters with specific attention given to
ammo purchases. Without further ado, let’s examine the impact of MA H.4885.
What is MA H.4885?
Bill MA H.4885 was introduced in the Massachusetts House on July 17, 2024. The bill was introduced with the tagline of “modernizing firearm laws” in the state of Massachusetts. Introduction and passage of the bill was motivated by the Supreme Court’s recent
Bruen decision. Shortly after its introduction, the bill was passed by the state legislature and sent before Governor Maura Healy. The bill was signed into law on July 25, 2024. Though initially set to go into effect on October 23, 2024, the bill was enacted immediately at the beginning of October due to an emergency order from the Governor.
Updated Licensing Requirements
Under MA H.4885, the state of Massachusetts has also updated the requirements regarding the licensure of purchasers of firearms and
ammunition. Under this new law, the state requires new applicants to hold a basic firearm safety certificate or comparable training. Prospective purchasers are required to acquire licensure from state authorities prior to actually conducting a transaction.
Put plainly, those seeking new Massachusetts firearms licenses after August 1, 2024 are required to complete a new course curriculum. Additionally, licensing authorities are required to attended training events and are responsible for reporting data to state databases. Additionally, retailers are expected to confiscate and report expired, suspended, and revoked credentials and licenses regarding firearms if they encounter them.
Read MA H.4885 Text
Concealed Carry Changes
The new law has also made changes to the licensing for concealed carry permits and the practice of concealed carry. Notably, MA H.4885 has made the requirements for getting a concealed carry permit in Massachusetts tighter and stricter. From stricter background checks and criteria to new training requirements, shooters will find that permits of this type will be harder to get. Additionally, the new law also outlines criteria for new “prohibited places” which bar concealed carry as a whole. In short, the new law further restricts the practice of concealed carry and makes licensure harder to achieve.
Red Flag Laws
MA H.4885 also notably expands upon the criteria needed to enact red flag laws in Massachusetts. This new law does not implement laws of this type as red flag laws, or extreme risk protection orders, are already on he books in the state. Put plainly, the new law expands the criteria of individuals who are able to petition the state for an extreme risk protection order. This is to say that more types of people can petition Massachusetts authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to be dangerous.
Stricter Reporting and Record Keeping
Notably, MA H.4885 outlines stricter guidelines for reporting and record keeping regarding the sale of firearms and
ammunition in Massachusetts.
Under this new law, records must be made which include the following information:
- A complete description of any firearms and ammunition transferred to any individual. This report must include aspects such as make, model, serial number, and firearm type. Additionally, the law states that it most be noted whether or not the firearm is designated as a large capacity firearm under Massachusetts law.
- The report must denote whether the firearm or ammunition was sold, rented, or leased to an individual. Additionally, reports should also include dates for transactions to provide further context and information.
- Records must include information regarding the purchaser’s license, permit or card information, sex, residential address, and occupation. Under this new law, these pieces of information must be collected from all purchasers of ammunition and firearms.
- Reports must include the name of the individual who purchases, rents, or leases ammunition or firearm. This name is to be gathered in a sales record book and verified by appropriate state or federal identification.
These criteria must be met before an individual purchasing, renting, or leasing firearms or
ammunition can take possession of their goods. Records are to be kept in a legible entry on-site or in electronic form. These records are to be open to police access for inspection purposes at all times.
Read MA H.4885 Text
What Does MA H.4885 Mean for Ammunition?
Put plainly, this legislative action will ultimately make the
ammunition purchasing process more difficult for shooters in Massachusetts. The new law has essentially killed online and remote ammunition sales, requiring shooters to conduct their ammunition purchases in-person. During these in-person transactions, dealers will need to keep stringent records of purchaser information as outlined above.
What this means for True Shot Ammo customers in Massachusetts is that ammunition orders will need to ship to a dealer like an FFL to facilitate the transfer of products. This ensures that the new requirement for in-person verification of credentials is still met and purchasers will not run afoul of the law.
What Does MA H.4885 Mean for Firearms?
This new legislative action essentially expands the state’s definition of “assault weapons” to be broader and cover a wider variety of firearms. Large capacity magazines are also banned by this new law with few exceptions. Additionally, just as
ammunition transactions must be completed in person, the same requirement applies to firearms. Under MA H.4885, shooters in Massachusetts essentially cannot order a firearm via online methods without in-person verification of their credentials prior to the transaction.
This new law also takes aim at homemade firearms and requires that all firearms of this type are serialized. MA H.4885 also outlines a number of specific penalties regarding untraceable firearms. The law also expanded its purview to include penalties for producing 3D printed firearms, bars the sale of 3D printers made for firearm manufacturing. Additionally, this new law also includes a provision regarding an electronic registration system and requires that all possessed and transferred firearms in the state be registered.
Conclusion
All in all, this recent legislative change represents considerable changes to the circumstances Massachusetts shooters find themselves in. With everything from expansion of “assault weapon” criteria to hindering
ammunition purchases, this new law certainly seeks to limit the gun rights of shooters in the Commonwealth. Of course, this blog is not legal advice and merely serves as an interpretation of the recent legislative change. We encourage individuals to do their own research and seek legal counsel if necessary.
We here at True Shot Ammo will support our Massachusetts customers and continue to ship ammunition into the state in accordance with the new law. This is to say that orders will go to an FFL or similar dealer to satisfy the in-person transaction requirement. Whether you want to
buy bulk ammo or
purchase ammo in individual box quantities, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
