Can I store firearms for a friend?

Asked by: Aleen Kozey  |  Last update: April 13, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (57 votes)

Federal law doesn't prohibit a person from storing guns for another person. But in some places, like New York and Massachusetts, state laws can make doing so legally almost impossible, according to Harvard public health researcher Cathy Barber.

Can you give guns to friends?

There's no law that prohibits a gift of a firearm to a relative or friend who lives in your home state.

Can you own a gun that's not in your name?

It depends. If your state has gun registration (most states don't), you might get some questions about how you came to be in possession of the gun and, depending on your answers, you might be arrested. There is no federal gun registration.

Is improper storage of a firearm a felony in MA?

For a rifle or shotgun that is a large capacity weapon, firearm or machine gun that was stored or kept in a place where a person younger than 18 may have access without committing an unforeseeable trespass: Felony Criminal Conviction. Minimum fine of $10,000, maximum fine of $20,000.

How many guns can a single person own?

There is no limit to the number of handguns that you may own but you are generally limited to purchasing no more than one handgun in any 30-day period.

Sell My Gun Collection To Become Debt Free?

43 related questions found

What is the 26 pistol rule?

A firearm, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4), is made when a handgun or other weapon with an overall length of less than 26 inches, or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length, is assembled or produced from a weapon originally assembled or produced only as a rifle.

Is it legal to store someone else's gun?

Federal law doesn't prohibit a person from storing guns for another person. But in some places, like New York and Massachusetts, state laws can make doing so legally almost impossible, according to Harvard public health researcher Cathy Barber.

Can guns and ammo be stored together in a car?

There is no prohibition in the state codes against also carrying ammunition within the same motor vehicle or compartment in the vehicle, as long as the firearms are not loaded and ammunition is not attached in any manner to the firearm. - Penal Code Sections 12025, 12026, 12031.

Can you store guns and ammo together in Massachusetts?

Even when not loaded into a firearm, ammunition is subject to strict storage regulations: Stored in a Locked Container: Made of steel or similarly strong material. Separate from Firearms: Ammunition must be stored separately from any firearms.

What is the gun show loophole?

The term "gun show loophole" primarily refers to "a situation in which many sellers dealing in firearms offer them for sale at gun shows without becoming licensed or subjecting purchasers to background checks".

Who should not be allowed to own a gun?

Access to firearms is restricted after a person has been found to pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others, including when individuals have been found to be severely cognitively impaired as a result of their mental condition or ordered to receive mental health treatment.

Can you fly with a gun not registered in your name?

Flying with a firearm is legal within the U.S. as long as you are over 18 and the weapon is not on you. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you must declare and check your weapons and ammunition with a TSA agent at check-in.

Can I let my friend carry my gun?

This is generally fine, and it does happen frequently. For instance, a father may loan his child a gun to teach him or her how to shoot at the range. A friend may loan another friend a firearm so that they can go on a hunting trip together. There are many examples of this and it doesn't necessarily violate any laws.

What is a straw purchase of a gun?

These restrictions are designed to prevent guns from falling into the hands of those who might pose a danger to themselves or others. A straw purchase is the illegal buying of a gun by an individual, a “straw buyer,” on behalf of such a person.

What is a FFL holder?

FFL or Federal Firearms License is something that gun dealers have to have before they can sell or transfer a gun to you. Every gun dealer has one or more depending on the types of guns they sell. If you are buying a gun, you'll be visiting an FFL holder and filling out some paperwork for a background check.

Can I put guns in storage?

Most storage facilities will not allow you to store firearms in their units. Management may consider it an added risk that they can't control. Plus, violating the terms of your storage unit contract could potentially lead to hefty fines or even a lawsuit.

Where is the best place to keep a gun in a car?

But remember many state laws require firearms in a vehicle to be inaccessible. Your trunk is the safest spot, both in terms of theft and the law.

How long can bullets stay in storage?

Ammunition isn't a perishable good - if stored correctly, it can last almost indefinitely. Whether it was stored correctly or not is another matter. Ammunition isn't like the still-edible 5000-year-old honey found in Egyptian tombs; ready to eat and spread on toast.

Can you shoot your gun in your backyard?

In general, you should be able to shoot on your own property provided you aren't shooting in the direction of other people and you have a sufficient backstop.

What is the 1 in 30 gun law?

Prior to the court's ruling, California's one-gun-a-month law prohibited residents from purchasing more than one rifle (or handgun) within a 30-day period. With the law now overturned, Californians may be able to purchase two or more rifles at the same time, subject to any other applicable state or federal regulations.

Does a gun safe need to be bolted down?

If the receptacle weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, it must be bolted to the structure of the premises. When firearms are stored in the receptacle, it must be locked with a lock of sturdy construction.

Is it legal to own a 10.5 inch barrel?

It is not illegal to own only a short barrel or an upper part of an AR. You can even legally buy ready-made trays with barrels in 10.5, 7.5 inches, etc. online.

What is the number one gun rule?

ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction

This is the primary rule of gun safety.