{"id":61021,"date":"2016-07-20T16:24:53","date_gmt":"2016-07-20T20:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=61021"},"modified":"2016-07-20T16:24:53","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T00:22:28","slug":"state-attorney-general-puts-end-black-rifles-massachusetts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/state-attorney-general-puts-end-black-rifles-massachusetts\/","title":{"rendered":"State Attorney General Puts End to Sale of Black Rifles in Massachusetts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A.G.<\/a>

Attorney General Maura Healey at a news conference on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.<\/p><\/div>\n

Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey is putting her foot down with respect to modern sporting rifles.\u00a0 <\/span>The 45-year-old Harvard graduate has decided to ban the sale of all state-compliant black rifles in an effort to, as she put it, \u201caddress the proliferation of guns, particularly assault weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe gun industry has found a way to exploit our laws, a loophole of potentially horrific proportions,\u201d said Healey in an open letter published<\/a>\u00a0this week.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd it\u2019s time we act.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Wednesday, we are sending a directive to all gun manufacturers and dealers that makes clear that the sale of these copycat assault weapons is illegal in Massachusetts,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this directive, we will ensure we get the full protection intended when lawmakers enacted our assault weapons ban, not the watered-down version of those protections offered by gun manufacturers,\u201d said Healey.<\/p>\n

The test to determine if one\u2019s firearm fits the new state definition of \u201cassault weapon\u201d is as follows:<\/p>\n

Guidance<\/h2>\n

A weapon is a Copy or Duplicate and <\/em>is therefore a prohibited Assault weapon if it meets one or both of the following tests and is 1) a semiautomatic rifle or handgun that was manufactured or subsequently configured with an ability to accept a detachable magazine, or 2) a semiautomatic shotgun.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Similarity Test:<\/strong> A weapon is a Copy or Duplicate if its internal functional components are substantially similar in construction and configuration to those of an Enumerated Weapon. Under this test, a weapon is a Copy or Duplicate, for example, if the operating system and firing mechanism of the weapon are based on or otherwise substantially similar to one of the Enumerated Weapons.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Interchangeability Test:<\/strong> A weapon is a Copy or Duplicate if it has a receiver that is the same as or interchangeable with the receiver of an Enumerated Weapon. A receiver will be treated as the same as or interchangeable with the receiver on an Enumerated Weapon if it includes or accepts two or more operating components that are the same as or interchangeable with those of an Enumerated Weapon. Such operating components may include, but are not limited to: 1) the trigger assembly; 2) the bolt carrier or bolt carrier group; 3) the charging handle; 4) the extractor or extractor assembly; or 5) the magazine port.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If a weapon meets one of the above tests, it is a Copy or Duplicate (and therefore a prohibited Assault weapon), even if it is marketed as \u201cstate compliant\u201d or \u201cMassachusetts compliant.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    \"One<\/a>

    One of the charts used by A.G. Healey to make her point. (Photo: A.G. Healey<\/em>)<\/p><\/div>\n

    For more details on the ban and the list of enumerated weapons (Colt AR-15, AKs, Steyr AUG, etc.) click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    The expanded ban takes effect immediately, i.e. July 20, 2016, which means moving forward the sale of “assault weapons” will be prohibited.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>There is an exemption for gun shop dealers (FFLs), who may sell these firearms if they can (a) prove via written evidence they received them before the aforementioned date and (b) they sell them to a person or business out-of-state where the firearms are lawful to possess.<\/p>\n

    Another exemption exists for individuals who lawfully purchased their “assault weapon” prior to July 20, 2016. \u00a0It appears they will be able to maintain possession of their firearm and to sell it as well (see Q&A below):<\/p>\n

    Q: What if I already own a gun that is a copy or duplicate?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n