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Firearm Modernization Law Information

This page outlines upgrades to MIRCS that will take effect October of 2025
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Public Notice

Public Notice: Upgrades to the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS) and Notice of Serialization and Registration Requirements

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) hereby notify Massachusetts residents of upcoming modifications to the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS). These improvements are designed to provide a more reliable and streamlined experience for all users and to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. 

EOPSS and DCJIS further advise that Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 mandates that firearms be serialized and registered via a real time electronic firearms registration system developed and maintained by DCJIS. The MIRCS firearms portal will serve as the Commonwealth’s firearm registration system. All firearm registration and serialization will be accomplished through the MIRCS firearms portal. In compliance with the Act, the MIRCS firearms portal will be operational for serialization and registration in October 2025. Firearms must be serialized and registered by October 2, 2026. EOPSS has developed regulations regarding the serialization and registration requirements. The regulations, 501 CMR 19 and 501 CMR 20, will be available in October 2025 and will be published on this page.

We encourage residents to familiarize themselves with M.G.L. c. 140, § 121B and M.G.L. c. 140, § 121C, the statutes governing the registration and serialization of firearms, as well as the regulations, when they become available.

Registration System:

Information that an individual will have to provide to register a firearm pursuant to section 121B of chapter 140 of the General Laws will include:

  1. Name, address, telephone number, and email address;
  2. License card or permit type, or documentation of an exemption pursuant to section 129C of chapter 140;
  3. Expiration date of the license, card, or permit, or documentation of exemption pursuant to section 129C of chapter 140;
  4. Date the firearm was acquired, if presently known;
  5. Type of firearm;
  6. Name and address of the source from which the firearm was obtained, if presently known; and
  7. Whether the firearm was privately made.

Serialization System:

  1. Individuals

Information that an individual will have to provide to serialize a firearm pursuant to section 121B of Chapter 140 of the General Laws will include:

  1. Name, date/place of birth, address, telephone number, and email address;
  2. Social Security Number, Driver’s License Number and state
  3. License card or permit type, or documentation of an exemption pursuant to section 129C of chapter 140;
  4. Type of firearm;
  5. Manufacturer’s first and last name;
  6. Model, caliber, and barrel length of firearm;
  7. Whether the request is for a privately made firearm; and
  8. If the request is made for a privately made firearm, the means and manner of production of the firearm.

B. Dealers

Information that a dealer will have to provide to serialize a firearm pursuant to section 121B of Chapter 140 of the General Laws will include:

  1. Name, address, telephone number, and location of business;
  2. Dealer license number;
  3. Type of firearm(s) to be serialized;
  4. Manufacturer’s first and last name;
  5. Model, caliber, and barrel length of firearm;
  6. Whether the request is for a privately made firearm; and
  7. If the request is for a privately made firearm, the means and manner of production of the firearm.

EOPSS and DCJIS are committed to delivering secure, efficient, user-friendly services to Massachusetts residents. We will provide users with more information on the MIRCS firearms portal once the system upgrades go live in October 2025. We appreciate your patience as we work to better serve you. In the meantime, you may find resources with information regarding the new requirements for firearms in Massachusetts under “Additional Resources” at the following link:  https://www.mass.gov/firearms-services.

What to do now?

In order to be prepared for the October 2026 deadline, users should visit: Register for a MyMassGov personal account | Mass.gov and create an account that will be required to access the new MIRCS serialization, transaction and licensing portals.

Support during the account creation process can be found here:  Get help with MyMassGov | Mass.gov

Check back soon for more detailed information about the new systems as this site will be updated often.

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