Massachusetts and Autos

[Smash05]

I have read and re-read the Mass Law. I know the difference between having something in your possession/under your control. I want someone to gut/fact/law check me here who deals with this daily. I am a lawyer so you can just lay it on me. I can buy and own an auto knife, so long as I do not carry it or have it under my control in a vehicle. I know for certain the same holds true for dirks, daggers, double edges, balisongs, butterflys, etc. I just keep coming across things that say otherwise, but are not the specific statute.

Also - I read the federal law as prohibiting the transfer over interstate lines of auto knives. Does this mean I have to go to a local retailer?

 

[tom19176]

Not sure of your state laws, but as to the Federal Questions, if you are not one of the select groups of persons allowed to buy auto knives interstate, then you must buy one with in your state or break the law. Never use the USPS to mail an auto anywhere as this law has been enforced far more frequently than the interstate commerce law. If you buy a knife in a state they are legally offered for sale in and then move your property over a state line, you are not in vioaltion of the Federal law as I understand it as the knife would be personal property and not merchandise at that point. The Federal Law applies to transfer of merchandise over state lines, possession on Federal Land, and sending via USPS.....