Gun laws in Massachusetts regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. These laws are among the most restrictive in the entire country.
On July 25, 2024, Maura Healey, the Governor of Massachusetts, signed An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws (H.4885) described as "the state's most significant gun safety legislation in a decade." Changes per H.4885 were due to go into effect 90 days from the date of signing, on October 23, 2024. However, the governor signed an emergency measure on October 2, 2024, which put the Act into effect on that date. Efforts to suspend the Act for two years, via a citizens' initiative, were ongoing at that time. Some aspects of the Act, such as requiring live-fire training for prospective gun owners, have been delayed by action of the state legislature.
Summary table Note: this section does not yet reflect changes per An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws (H.4885).
Subject / law Longguns Handguns Relevant statutes Notes State permit required to purchase? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 129C, Sec. 1313/4 Firearms Identification Card (FID) or License to Carry Firearms (LTC) required, which are normally issued by local police departments. The state's Firearms Records Bureau handles applications for non-resident licenses to carry, and resident alien permits. Historically, some issuing authorities (notably the Boston Police Department) required an applicant to justify the need for a firearm—see additional discussion below regarding "shall issue". Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders may only sell handguns that appear on one of the state's "approved firearms rosters", although this does not prohibit LTC holders from lawfully possessing handguns not on the rosters. Firearm registration? No No MA Ch. 140 Sec. 128A Although registration is not specifically required by law, transfers of firearm ownership are required to be recorded with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS): by the seller if in state, or by the buyer if out of state. The Massachusetts EOPSS also provides the option to register a firearm, although, other than obtaining a firearm from out of state (a transfer of ownership), this is not required by law. Owner license required? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 129C Firearms Identification Card (FID) or License to Carry Firearms (LTC) required. License required for concealed carry? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 131 License to Carry Firearms (LTC) required. Massachusetts is a de facto "shall issue" state for carry since the Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen held "may issue" regimes unconstitutional. The issuing authority must provide written explanation for the denial of any application, which is subject to appeal. The issuing authority is the local police chief for most jurisdictions, who issues carry licenses based on an applicant's suitability and compliance with background check and training requirements. Permits are valid statewide, provided the license-holder complies with restrictions (if any) imposed by the issuing authority. License required for open carry? Yes Yes License to Carry Firearms (LTC) required. Note than an individual who can lawfully carry firearms does not have to conceal a firearm in public. Moreover, in 2013, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled (FRB v. Simkin) that such a person is not responsible for alarm caused by licensed carry of a handgun, and that a permit cannot be revoked for suitability purposes under these circumstances.Firearms Records Bureau v. Simkin, 466 Mass. 168 (2013) If police demand to see the permit, it must be produced, per G.L. c. 140, § 129C. Failure to produce a LTC upon demand by law enforcement is probable cause for arrest. *G.L. c. 140, § 129C has been removed as of October, 2024. State preemption of local restrictions? No No There is limited preemption for some laws. Assault weapon law? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 121 Massachusetts statute lists specific firearms that are deemed assault weapons, and also incorporates the definition of an assault weapon per "18 U.S.C. section 921(a)(30) as appearing in such section on September 13, 1994", which is a two-point "banned features" system. Firearms listed as assault weapons or failing the two-point system are prohibited, unless lawfully owned on or prior to September 13, 1994. Firearms that do not meet the definition of an assault weapon are legal to purchase with an LTC, or in some cases an FID, as long as applicable magazine capacity restrictions are followed. Magazine capacity restriction? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 121 Unlawful to possess magazines of over 10 rounds capacity. "Pre-ban" magazines (manufactured before September 13, 1994) are exempt from this restriction. NFA weapons restricted? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 131 Suppressors are restricted only for law enforcement or licensed manufacturers. Some destructive devices (DD) are banned at the state level, while others are banned at a local level; they can be completely illegal or legal, depending on what town one lives in. Short-barreled rifles (SBR), short barrel shotguns (SBS), and any other weapon (AOW) are allowed with proper approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). To lawfully possess a machine gun, a machine gun license is required. Background checks required for private sales? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 128A The seller must verify the buyer's FID or LTC with the state's Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), which is "conducted over a real time web portal" developed by CJIS. Red flag law? Yes Yes MA Ch. 140 Sec. 131R A judge may issue an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) to temporarily confiscate the firearms of a person who appears to be at risk of harming themselves or another person.
Regulations and processes Note: this section does not yet reflect changes per An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws (H.4885).
Licensing process Massachusetts law requires firearm owners to be licensed through their local police department, or the Massachusetts State Police if no local licensing authority is available. A license is required by state law for buying firearms and ammunition. An applicant must have passed a state-approved firearm safety course before applying for a license.
All applications, interviews, fees, and fingerprinting are done at the local police department then sent electronically to the Massachusetts Criminal History Board for the mandatory background checks and processing. All approved applicants will receive their license from the issuing police department. All licensing information is stored by the Criminal History Board. Non-residents who are planning on carrying in the state must apply for a temporary license to carry (LTC) through the Massachusetts State Police before their travel.
Non-citizen permits Non-citizens who reside in Massachusetts can apply for a "permit to possess non-large-capacity rifles and shotguns pursuant M.G.L. 140 s. 131H" directly with the state's Firearms Records Bureau (FRB). The applicants must receive firearms education at the FID or LTC-level and pass a 20-fingerprint FBI background check and interview. This permit is a "may issue" document similar to the FID but expiring December 31 of each year. The procedure requires about 16 weeks from application to delivery of the permit. There is no 90-day grace period for the renewal of non-citizens permits.
Both nonresident (i.e. visa holders) and permanent resident (i.e. "green card" holders) non-citizens are lumped together by Massachusetts law. The non-citizens permit allows the possession of non-high capacity (10 rounds or less) shotguns, rifles, and ammunition. This includes .22 caliber rifles with tubular magazines holding more than 10 rounds, but it excludes high capacity rifles, assault rifles, and handguns. FID and LTC are generally not issued to non-citizens even though Massachusetts law grants some latitude to the Colonel of Massachusetts State Police, who may be petitioned directly.
A 2012 lawsuit, Fletcher v. Haas, expanded Massachusetts non-citizens' gun rights by allowing possession and purchase of handguns for permanent resident non-citizens (green card holders). non-citizens permits are still in existence and required for all non-permanent resident non-citizens in Massachusetts. As of April 30, 2012, all lawful permanent resident non-citizens (green card holders) are eligible to apply for a Massachusetts resident license to carry ("LTC") or firearms identification card ("FID").
Types of firearm licenses
Massachusetts issues the following types of firearms licenses:
FID (Firearms Identification Card): Permits the purchase of rifles and shotguns with a capacity of no more than 10 rounds and their carrying for hunting and sporting purposes. FIDs are "shall issue", except if the applicant fails a background check or is deemed "unsuitable" by the chief of police or issuing authority.
LTC (License to Carry): An LTC is required to carry a pistol (openly or concealed) in Massachusetts. Also, an LTC allows the holder to purchase any firearm legal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including "large capacity" firearms, which are those potentially holding greater than 10 rounds. Magazines holding more than 10 rounds are unlawful in Massachusetts, with the exception of law enforcement or "pre-ban" magazines (those manufactured prior to September 13, 1994). Note: as of January 1, 2015, Massachusetts no longer issues different classes of License to Carry (LTC). Previously, LTCs were issued as Class A or Class B. Class B (LTC-B) precluded the person it was issued to from buying or possessing any handgun considered "large capacity". There is now only a single LTC, which is identical to the old Class A (LTC-A).
"Machine gun" license: A machine gun license, granted on a may-issue basis, is required to purchase/possess a machine gun. Issuance is at the discretion of the police chief of the city or town, and criteria vary widely. Machine gun licenses are generally only issued to collectors—Curio and Relic (C&R) Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders—and police instructors.
Additionally, LTC permits may have the following restrictions, however, none of these restrictions have been clearly defined by state law, and are subject to each chief of police's definition of such. Violation of the restrictions imposed by the licensing authority shall be cause for suspension or revocation of the license and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000.
Employment: restricts possession to business owner engaged in business activities or to an employee while engaged in work-related activities, and maintaining proficiency, where the employer requires the carry of a firearm (i.e. armored car, security guard, etc.). Includes travel to and from activity location. Target and hunting: (most common restriction): restricts possession to the purpose of lawful recreational shooting or competition; for use in the lawful pursuit of game animals and birds; for personal protection in the home; and for the purpose of collecting (other than machine guns). Includes travel to and from activity location. Sporting: restricts possession to the purpose of lawful recreational shooting or competition; for use in the lawful pursuit of game animals and birds; for personal protection in the home; for the purpose of collecting (other than machine guns); and for outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, or similar activities. Includes travel to and from activity location. Other (very rare): issuing police chief has special reason or direction for the restriction of the permit. Can vary greatly.
Machine gun licenses