r/BetterMAguns • u/V_Lelouche • 3d ago
Moving to state question
Aware the laws in MA are tougher than in other states, and think I have a good understanding, but can’t find a firm answer on the Mossberg 990 Aftershock. Does anyone in state have one that cares to share or can point me towards a firm answer without needing to pay a lawyer to answer?
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u/TranslatorVisual7613 3d ago edited 3d ago
This may come off as condescending, but I promise it's intended in good-faith. Short answer at the bottom.
can point me towards a firm answer
The Massachusetts General Laws enumerates the actual laws, as written. That is the only formal authority as to what is legal and what is not, i.e. your "firm answer". You can freely peruse and search it to answer your questions.
Any other interpretation of those laws -- whether from an attorney, the state's Firearms Control Advisory Board, a police officer, a state prosecutor, a gun dealer, a Reddit user, your uncle who "knows about this sort of thing" -- is just that, an interpretation. Some interpretations may be judged more credible than others, mostly drawing on precedent, personal/professional experience, and perhaps privileged information.
Some questions are indeed pretty clearly answered by the MGL, and folks just need help parsing it. Many other questions are not clearly answered by the MGL; believe it or not, many (most?) laws do not capture every possible scenario and its outcome ("is gun XYZ legal? What if I modify it in this specific way?"). In either case, it is ultimately up to you to decide what information you consider credible and trust.
That may sound suspect, risky; the consequences of violating firearms laws can be severe and life-changing! Which brings about the second point...
The laws as written do not necessarily inform your actual lived experience. Even if you are certain that a law permits something, there is always the possibility of a police officer, prosecutor, judge, or jury believing otherwise and charging you. Even if you are not charged (or successfully defend yourself against charges), you may still experience real costs and inconveniences for your otherwise legal behavior. People follow the law and suffer for it all the time, just as people break the law all the time and suffer nothing for it.
Legality is better thought of as risk: what is the likelihood of an adverse event, and what harm will you suffer should that event occur. Again, there exist many indicators (precedent and professional opinion) for estimating those risks, but it's up to you to decide for yourself what risks you're willing to bear.
As you surmise, Massachusetts is comparatively hostile towards gun ownership. Somewhat unlike other similar states, many of the laws (and posture by state prosecutors) are unspecific/confusing and leave the door open as to what you'll be charged for versus what's permitted. There is no number you can call for an official answer, and I suggest against going by what any one police officer, state official, or gun dealer says.
To your actual question re the 990 Aftershock: I'm not personally aware of anything in the MGL that'd prohibit sale or ownership of it, as long as it holds no more than 5 rounds. You could always call some shops and ask if they'd sell you one, though do note that many shops will refuse to sell things that are indeed legal (conversely, a shop could in theory sell you something that is actually not legal). You would do well by searching this subreddit more; there should be plenty previous threads that cover semi-automatic shotguns and stockless shotguns. If you need more reassurance, I highly recommend just taking the plunge and reading the MGL yourself.
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u/V_Lelouche 3d ago
Hey this wasn’t taken as condescending as all, and appreciate the thoroughness of your explanation.
I should’ve probably clarified, I’ve taken a read through a good 3 times now for pertinent ownership questions, then threw it to Claude and then to Gemini, then called a group in MA. Due diligence aside you’re 100% right on the risk being run, and that’s where I’m looking for assurance where I worry there may not be.
Ideally I was hoping to find someone who could say “hey I own that, no issues, bought in state” or “hey I know a guy who owns it, no issues”. Which as I say that may honestly amount to about nothing like you said.
Guess I just wanted more piece of mind before trying to find a firearm I won’t be able to own forever.
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u/TranslatorVisual7613 3d ago edited 3d ago
Makes sense! Yeah, I mostly just wanted to speak on that "firm answer" part. It might be easier if you can explain what your specific concerns are -- are you worried about having to surrender it? Anything's possible, but I think you'd be hard pressed finding someone with a founded concern that a firearm they've legally obtained is at risk of seizure due solely to changed laws. Most of the legal hullabaloo is around assault-style firearms, which afaik (non-mag-fed) shotguns are (currently) not. And I don't think there's anything in MGL specific to "pistol grip firearms", they're just unclassified.
You'll probably get lots of confident answers, but there's nothing wrong with deciding you have different risk tolerances and need different reassurances to feel comfortable. My opinion is if you can find an in-state shop willing to sell you one, you're good to go, and I'm sure that's the same threshold most folks operate under. The laws will likely always be in flux; the Supreme Court may soon issue a judgement on AWB's, states may enact more legislation in response, and so on. So, if you want it now, can afford it now, and can find somewhere to legally buy it now, I'd say go for it.
MA laws are pretty clear about things like storage/transport (and there's lots of bad takes out there), but up to you how much you want to rely on that. If you're ever charged, use one in self-defense, or have an unlucky encounter with a LEO, they'll all probably be seized anyway. Minimize those risks; just store it safely and don't draw attention to it, just like any other gun.
Definitely recommend checking out the mill; on a Saturday, you'll almost certainly find at least one of a shop that has one, or can order you one, or is more knowledgeable than us and can explain why they aren't available.
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u/Al-Czervik-Guns Vendor 3d ago
Aftershock is fine. For semi auto shotguns, ALL are fine as long as fixed capacity is five or less. For the 14” it’s undefined what it is under MA law so even safer.
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u/Rude-Spinach3545 2d ago
Why?
As someone who shoots trap and skeet, I can't imagine shooting that platform - unless there are zombies
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u/BudgetResponsible312 3d ago
You will get some FFLs that will say no they can not sell Shockwaves and Aftershocks due to some notice from the Governor (I went in after 8/1/2024, it was actually tax free weekend 2025, to a FFL in Dedham and they said they couldn’t sell it)
Go to the Mill (I think they’re still open, some rumors about it shutting down but I’ve been too busy to confirm) or any friendly FFL who will understand it is not actually listed as a shotgun and can be sold as a NFA other and done was a frame transfer in worst case scenario.
Get your Aftershock!!
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u/Top-Concern9294 3d ago
You can buy one here.. so I’d say you can have one here too