Latest updates
Governor Healey signs gun safety legislation cracking down on ghost guns, strengthening violence prevention (July 25, 2024)
The newly-signed law "modernizes Massachusetts' existing firearms laws to address issues such as untraceable 'ghost guns' and 3-D printed guns, enhance[s] the 'Red Flag Law,' further protect[s] safety in public spaces and increase[s] violence prevention programming in the state."
Massachusetts laws
Guns and firearms (in general)
MGL c. 140, §§ 121-131Q Sale of firearms; includes:
- § 121 Definitions of firearm types, including antique weapons
- § 129C Application of Sec. 129B; ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition; transfer; report to commissioner; exemptions; exhibiting license to carry, etc. on demand
- § 131 Licenses to carry firearms; conditions and restrictions
- § 131F Non-residents: temporary license to carry firearms or ammunition
- § 131G Non-residents carrying firearms: pistol or revolver
- § 131K Firearm safety devices
- § 131L Storage of weapons
- § 131P Firearms safety training
MGL c. 269, § 10 Carrying dangerous weapons; possession of machine gun or sawed-off shotguns; possession of large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device; possession of ammunition; punishment, certain knives and blades. Subsection (j) prohibits carrying a weapon on school or university grounds.
MGL c. 269, § 10H Carrying loaded firearm while under influence of liquor, marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances; punishment
MGL c. 276, § 58A(1) "The commonwealth may move, based on dangerousness, for an order of pretrial detention...[for a person] arrested and charged with a violation of paragraph (a), (c), or (m) of section 10 of chapter 269 [illegal weapons]."
Bump stocks and trigger cranks
MGL c. 140, § 121 Definitions of bump stocks and machine guns
MGL c. 140, § 131(o) Bans bump stocks and trigger cranks
Extreme risk protection orders (ERPO)
MGL c. 140, §§ 131R-131Y, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO), also known as the “red flag law”
Stun guns
MGL c. 140, § 121 Definitions of stun gun
MGL c. 140, § 131J Stun guns; regulations relating to use, access, training, etc.
Massachusetts law allows, but regulates, stun guns.
MGL c. 140, § 131L Storage of stun guns
Toy guns and BB guns
Note: Toy guns and BB guns are not firearms in Massachusetts. However, they are included here to help users looking for information about these types of guns.
MGL c. 148, § 39 Sale of blank cartridges, toy pistols, fireworks
MGL c. 269, § 12B Air rifles; possession by minors; shooting (including BB guns)
Massachusetts regulations
501 CMR 7 Approved weapon rosters
501 CMR 13 Standards for identification cards for retired law enforcement officers
501 CMR 19 Registration of firearms
501 CMR 20 Serialization of firearms
515 CMR 3 Firearms course and instructor certifications and firearms surrender programs
515 CMR 6 Law enforcement officers safety act qualification standards and instructor certification
803 CMR 10 Gun transaction recording
940 CMR 16 Handgun sales
Federal laws and regulations
18 USC §§ 921-931 Firearms
- 18 USC § 922(g)(3) prohibits any person who is an "unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802))" from shipping, transporting, receiving or having firearms or ammunition.
Public Law No: 117-159: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, 117th Congress (2021-2022)
Includes extending background checks for individuals under 21, closure of the "boyfriend loophole", funding for state red flag laws, and clarification on Federal Firearm Identification license requirements.
27 CFR 447-479 Firearms and ammunition
- 27 CFR 478 "Ghost guns" are subject to the same regulations as commercially manufactured firearms. (DOJ fact sheet).
- "Gun show loophole": In April of 2024, the Department of Justice issued a rule that updated the definition of "Engaged in the business" in 27 CFR 478, which closes the "gun show loophole" and sets strong standard for gun sellers who have to get a license and conduct background checks.
- Please note: There has been a preliminary injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas restricting the Defendants (ATF, U.S. Dept. of Justice, AG Merrick Garland, and Director of ATF Steven Dettelback) from enforcing the regulations. See Texas et al. v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives et al. 24-cv-00089-Z (N.D. Tex.). Memorandum on motion for preliminary injunction.
Other states' laws
State laws and published ordinances-firearms, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
"This publication is designed to help Federal firearms licensees (FFL) comply with Federal and State firearms laws; specifically, with the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA)."
Forms
Firearms court forms, Mass. Court System.
A collection of court forms related to guns, other firearms, and the red flag law.
Firearms services, Mass. Firearms Records Bureau.
Apply or renew a firearms license, record a private sale or transfer, report a change of address, or appeal a license denial.
Sample complaint for judicial review of revocation of license, 18 Am. Jur. Pl. & Pr. Forms Municipal Corporations, Counties, Etc. § 46. Available through our Document Delivery Service.
Federal firearms licenses
Federal firearms licenses, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"If you intend to engage in a business involving the dealing, manufacturing, or importing of firearms, or manufacturing or importing ammunition, you must apply for a federal firearms license (FFL) from ATF." A list of firearms forms can be found on the ATF website.
Selected cases
Web sources
Firearms
General
Approved firearms rosters, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Federal firearms regulations reference guide, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 2014.
“[C]ontains information that will help you comply with Federal laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation and distribution of firearms and ammunition.”
3D-printed guns
Public safety notice: 3D-printed guns, Berkshire District Attorney's Office, August 10, 2018.
"[T]he creation, transfer, or possession of a weapon made with a 3D printer can subject an individual to serious criminal or civil liability under Massachusetts law."
Licensure
Appeal a firearms license denial, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
If your firearms license was denied, you can appeal the denial at the District Court or in some cases, you can petition the Firearm Licensing Review Board.
Apply for a firearms license in Massachusetts, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
A firearms license is required to possess (FID) or carry (LTC) firearms in Massachusetts. Form is submitted to your local police department.
Firearms license frequently asked questions, Mass. Firearms Records Bureau.
This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about firearms licenses within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Gun ownership in Massachusetts, Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Massachusetts residents 15 years and older who want to possess, carry, and transport firearms, ammunition, and feeding devices are required to have a firearms license. Firearms licenses are issued by municipal police departments.
Joint Advisory, MA AGO and EOPSS, July 2022.
A joint advisory from the Massachusetts Attorney General and Executive Office of Public Safety and Security regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen and the effect on Massachusetts’s firearm licensing laws.
Open letter to all federal firearms licensees, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, September 21, 2011.
"[A]ny person who uses or is addicted to marijuana, regardless of whether his or her State has passed legislation authorizing marijuana use for medicinal purposes, is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, and is prohibited by Federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition."
Suitability challenged: The judicial creation of suitability standards for firearms licensing, Mass. Bar Association, Lawyers Journal, June 2014.
Discusses the “suitable person” standard for getting a firearms license under MGL c. 140, § 131(d), (f).
Litigation
Firearms litigation: A practitioner’s guide to PLCAA and beyond, Everytown Law, 2024.
A publication available online focusing on firearms litigation and the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Transporting
Guide to the interstate transportation of firearms, NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
"Many states and localities have laws governing the transportation of firearms. Travelers must be aware of these laws and comply with legal requirements in each jurisdiction. There is no uniform state transportation procedure for firearms." Provides links to state and federal laws.
Transporting firearms and ammunition, Transportation Security Administration.
Explains requirements for transporting firearms on planes.
Other weapons
Law bars most immigrants from carrying self-defense spray, CommonWealth Beacon, February 2019.
"The penalty is imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of not more than $1,000. The only immigrants exempted from the penalty are green card holders and those who have been victims of domestic violence."
Protective orders
Extreme risk guide, Mass. Department of Mental Health, 2018.
"This guide provides information on resources that may be helpful to individuals, who are seeking an extreme risk protective order, or who had an extreme risk protective order issued against them."
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO), Mass. Court System.
Provides a process for family and household members to ask the court to temporarily take weapons from people who pose a risk to themselves or others.
Print sources
Complex issues in trying drug and gun cases in federal and state court, Flaschner Judicial Institute, 2011.
Criminal law: 2025 edition, Municipal Police Institute.
Criminal law police manual, Law Enforcement Dimensions, 2021.
Firearm laws & licensure, MCLE, 2020.
Firearms in self defense: the Castle Doctrine, stand your ground and other considerations, NBI, 2015.
Handbook of civil procedure in the District Court, 5th ed., Lawyers Weekly, with supplement.
Chapter 23: Firearms Appeals.
Law enforcement guide to firearms law: A practical guide for police on Massachusetts and federal firearms law, 2025 ed., Glidden Training and Consulting, LLC.
Packin’ heat: Massachusetts firearm carry law, MCLE, 2021.
Practice in the firearms sessions, MCLE, 2017.
Contact
Online
| Last updated: | October 6, 2025 |
|---|