Commonwealth v. Wood

A question was reported to the Appeals Court from a jury of six session of the District Court pursuant to Mass. R. Crim. P. 34, 378 Mass. 905 (1979): “Can a person who possesses and carries a firearm on his person or under his control in a vehicle without a license be convicted [of violating G. L. c. 269, § 10 (a) (1984 ed.)] where that person is a ‘new resident’ within the meaning of G. L. c. 140, § 129C (j)?” We transferred the case to this court on our own motion. We answer the question, “Yes. ” The relevant facts are not disputed.

In July, 1984, the defendant left his home ip Baton Rouge,…