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New Hampshire man learns Massachusetts gun laws apply when you're here

Seized guns. Photo by Massachusetts State Police

Seized guns. Photo by Massachusetts State Police.

A New Hampshire man was arrested on charges of illegal weapons possession after TSA X-ray screeners at Logan Airport noticed two antique guns in a carry-on bag, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Brent Cameron, 44, of New London, NH, was released on personal recognizance at his arraignment in East Boston District Court, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

According to State Police:

At 0743 hours Trooper Joseph Stanford was dispatched to at TSA security checkpoint in Terminal E at Logan International Airport, where he was advised that an x-ray machine detected two images that looked like handguns in a carry-on bag. Trooper James Savage, who also responded, searched the bag and observed two handguns. The guns were determined to be antique .22 caliber Derringer pistols. The owner of the bag and guns, BRENT M. CAMERON, told Troopers that he had purchased the guns at an auction last week and claimed not to have known they were in the bag. The man was further asked if he had a license to carry, and stated that he did not have a license and did not need one in New Hampshire.

The guns were unloaded, police said.

Innocent, etc.

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Comments

Maybe if New Hampshire had public kindergarten when he grew up he wouldn't be such a dumbass today.

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That's the problem with living so close to the People's Republic of Massachusetts...a communist tyranny where the 2nd Amendment doesn't exist....unlike Free New Hampshire where we take our rights seriously.

Having them in his carry on was a mistake...so put them in his luggage and done...but why do we allow states to override the Constitution? "Shall not be infringed" means you can't infringe the right no MATTER WHAT. Do you need a permit to go to church or speak freely?

I really wish we'd build a wall between Mass and NH...keep the disease out.

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> I really wish we'd build a wall between Mass and NH...keep the
> disease out.

Mr NH AH.

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Make sure to soundproof it so we're not bothered by the sounds of man-child banjo pickers, party candidates misremembering history and libertarians blowing their hands off with fireworks or screaming in agony after being propelled head-first and helmetless over their hog's handlebars.

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amen brother!!!!!!!!!!

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You need a special license to carry a concealed weapon. It is much easier to get then in Massachusetts, but you still need it.

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If they're not loaded, in a bag, properly secured (locked hard case), they're not "concealed carry." Sounds like they were not only in carry-on (big no no), but also not in a locked case.

If you, or the idiot who transported the guns, googled "interstate firearms transport", you'd have read the NRA's pretty-exhaustive page on the subject. It's a shame they're so far off the deep end legislatively, as they do seem to have some useful resources...

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...that what I said is correct? What he was doing counts as concealed carry, even in New Hampshire. What he was doing would be illegal without a CCW permit, even in his home state. I'm not sure why you concluded that I'm unfamiliar with the laws pertaining to the interstate transfer of firearms.

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. . . an old silver lighter and a nail clipper taken from me- and had to dump a bottle of old spice after shave because it was not travel size- since 9/11- I'm gonna assume this guy doesn't get out that much.

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Obviously, carrying firearms into a security line at an airport in this age of forced victim disarmament isn't prudent. But it isn't the case, as some have suggested above, that one always needs a permit to carry a concealed firearm. The law varies widely from state to state on what constitutes a firearm for purposes of concealed carry laws. In many places, antique firearms are not subject to such laws.

Furthermore, the headline is misleading, because not all Massachusetts gun laws apply to people merely traveling through Massachusetts. The "Safe Passage" provision of the federal Firearms Owners Protection Act shields gun owners from local prosecution under state gun laws when a gun owner is traveling from a place where the firearms are lawful to a destination where they are lawful.(See http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00...)(NB: this statute would not have preempted this gentleman's prosecution, since his firearms were accessible and not in a locked container)

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Responsible gun owners know the laws and would have followed them to a T.

This irresponsibility guy couldn't be bothered, didn't know them, or went by his gut and tried to pull something; and is going to have to deal with the consequences of his recklessness. Exactly the kind of person you that gives good, responsible owners and enthusiasts a bad name.

Gun owners always like to mention that guns don't kill people, people do. This guy could easily be one with his carelessness or stupidity.

The NRA might be one to pick up his defense, but the rest of us shouldn't.

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Craven rule-following is not anything to be applauded, and careless breaking of stupid, evil laws that violate our basic human rights (such as the right to bodily integrity and the right to bear arms) is nothing to be condemned.

It is unfortunate that this guy made this mistake and will likely face long-time legal entanglements. If I were on the jury I would nullify.

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This is a nation of laws. If you think you can do better, go elsewhere. Or get the law changed.

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How does one not know that they are carrying a weapon into an airport? AMAZING! Maybe that's considered quaint in the 'live free or die' state, but not so cute here in MA. This guy is an irresponsible gun owner... oh wait, I forgot: only criminals are irresponsible gun owners. My bad.

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My comments come from my experience as a former federal LEO who traveled frequently, this being said if you are not a leo, on official business with credentials approved in the INLETS system you can not bring any weapon passed airport security. If you wish to transport any weapon it must be in an approved, locked case, unloaded, declared and placed in checked luggage.
For a LEO on official travel, you must declare at checkin and present your creds then fill out forms. Then go to security meet with the supervisor, give them their copy of the form and creds to be verified, then sign the log. Then go to your respective gate and notify the boarding attendant give them their copy as well the lead flight attendant and Captain of the aircraft. It's a process to keep air travel safe and it gets stricter by the year. It used to be in place of creds a letter could suffice, not anymore, and now all agency have a specific cred to comply with DHS regulations. Also all these LEO's are trained by/through FLETC either resident or non-resident course.
I agree this man must have missed a memo or two. Yes there are laws that protect vintage firearms, but regardless it's still a firearm. And from what I read he said he just purchased them, so it seemed like more a whim then a collector because a collector would know in advance the regulations.
I recall a time out of Tokyo an american woman was throwing a fit because they wouldn't let her have a decoration katana with her carry on. Granted it is hollow and not sharp but it is still considered as one in the "knife family."
Bottom line, if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck.....

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