The laws governing the legal use, storage and carrying of firearms are constantly changing. Below are the applicable laws in the State of Massachusetts as of 3/06/2013. The below information is designed to be a guide and not the final word. If you have specific questions, please refer to the Massachusetts State legislation at malegislature.gov. Another great resource is the Massachusetts department of Public Safety mass.gov.

CLASS “A” LTC: Allows the holder to transport a loaded or unloaded handgun on his person or in a motor vehicle if the handgun is under their direct control. If the handgun is not under his direct control, it must be unloaded in a locked case, locked trunk, or other secure container.

CLASS “B” LTC: Allows the holder to transport a non-large capacity handgun. Handgun must be unloaded in a locked case, locked trunk, or other secure container.

LARGE-CAPACITY RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS: All persons transporting large capacity rifles or shotguns under an LTC Class “A” or Class “B” permit must transport them unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk, or other secure container. Trigger locks do not meet the requirements of securing a large-capacity weapon during transport in a motor vehicle.

NON LARGE-CAPACITY RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS: Non-large capacity rifles and shotguns must be unloaded and are not required to be in a locked case while transporting.

NOTE: All rifles and shotguns must be unloaded when in or on a motor vehicle, but only large capacity rifles and shotguns are subject to the storage requirement. Handguns and large-capacity
firearms left unattended in a vehicle must be unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk, or other secure container. Muzzleloading or other Black Powder arms must also be unloaded.