This section of WalpolePD.com is designed to answer some of the many questions there are about firearms, so that there is a better understanding, and to create better awareness about gun safety and the law.
Please, if you have any questions about firearms, licensing, or a question about the laws pertaining to firearms, please feel free to call the Walpole Police Department. If you have come into possession of a firearm, for whatever reason, and are not sure what to do with it, you can call us up for some advice, we are happy to help out with any of your questions.
The Walpole Police Department is very proud to be a participant in the "Project Child Safe" program. This program was designed to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices, and offers gun locks for any resident.
If any Walpole resident would like a free gun lock, so that your firearms can be stored safely, and in accordance with the law, you only need to come down to the police station to receive your free Safety Kit.
There are 4 major rules of firearms safety that everyone should be aware of:
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Regardless of what anyone says or does, firearms should be treated as if they were loaded.
- Never point a gun at anyone. You never point a gun at anything you wouldn't want to shoot.
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are prepared to shoot.
- Keep the action open, and the gun unloaded until you are ready to use it.
Whether you have a gun in your home or not, all children should be taught firearms safety. Much like "Stop, Drop, and Roll", there is a simple lesson that can be taught to children.
You may not approve of firearms, you may not own any guns, but it is still important for the safety of your kids to teach them about firearms. It is important so that if they come in to contact with a firearm someday, they know what to do, and what to do.
The following link has some wonderful tips for parents. Trying to teach children about firearms safety can sometimes be a difficult task. This link gives some great ideas, and some great advice.
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An FID card is not required to possess an air gun in Massachusetts, however, you must be at least 18 years old. Massachusetts law prohibits anyone from discharging air rifles from across streets, alleys, public ways or railroads. In addition, it is against the Bylaws of Walpole to fire any air powered firearm on private property, without written permission from the landowner.
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Yes, the Firearms Record Bureau has been designated to issue temporary LTC's to nonresidents who are granted approval.
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Yes. At minimum, you need an FID card if you are keeping a rifle or shotgun in your home. For handguns, you need a LTC or FID with a permit to purchase firearms, for the particular handgun in question.
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Not necessarily. An individual with a valid LTC is not required to maintain their FID card since the LTC supercedes it.
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Generally, application is made to the local police department where the applicant resides or has a place of business. For Walpole, you can either visit the police station, or check out our Download Forms section for quick and easy printouts.
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Under Massachusetts law, if you plan to move, you notify the Chief of Police for both the town you are leaving, and the town your are moving to. Again, visit the Download Forms page to get a copy of the notification form.
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Yes. A simple form known as the FA10 must be filled out for all private sales. This form is available at your local police station.
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Yes. Any gun purchased outside of Massachusetts must be reported using the same FA10 form, available at your local police station.
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A person with a Class-A can transport a handgun loaded, on their person, or under their direct control. Rifles and Shotguns must be transported unloaded, and in a locked case.
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A person with a Class-B transport all firearms unloaded and in a locked case, trunk, or other secure container. Trigger locks do no meet the requirements when concerning securing weapons in a vehicle.
