Massachusetts law about weapons (non-firearms)

Laws, regulations, cases, and web sources on weapons (knives, cross-bows, pepper spray, and other non-firearms).

• Related page: Law about guns and other firearms

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Massachusetts laws

Crossbows

MGL c. 131, § 69 Bows and arrows for hunting

Knives

MGL c. 269, § 10 Carrying dangerous weapons including certain knives and blades

MGL c. 269, § 12 Manufacturing and selling knives, sling shots, swords, bludgeons and similar weapons (see the link for a full list of weapons included in this general law)

Pepper spray

MGL c. 140, § 122C People over 18 can have pepper spray, mace or other "self defense spray" without an FID card

MGL c. 140, § 122D Who may not buy or carry pepper spray

Toy guns and BB 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

321 CMR 3.01(3) Hunting with bows and arrows

City and town bylaws

Check your city or town laws and ordinances for local regulations on weapons. For example, the City of Boston includes the following in their municipal code:

• Chapter 16-45 “Prohibiting the carrying of knives or similar weapons”

Selected cases

Com. v. Canjura, 494 Mass. 508 (2024)
The SJC held that the Second Amendment protects the right to carry a switchblade, invalidating the prohibition against carrying such weapons in G. L. c. 269, § 10(b).

Com. v. Fettes, 64 Mass. App. Ct. 917 (2005)
A dog can be a dangerous weapon. "A dangerous weapon is 'any instrument or instrumentality so constructed or so used as to be likely to produce death or great bodily harm.' Commonwealth v. Farrell, 322 Mass. 606, 614-615 (1948). See also Anderson, Wharton's Criminal Law and Procedure, § 361. There can be little doubt that a dog . . . used for the purpose of intimidation or attack falls within this definition."

Com. v. Garcia, 82 Mass. App. Ct. 239 (2012)
Provides detailed definitions of "dirk knife" and "dagger."

Com. vs. Garrett, 473 Mass. 257 (2015)   
“This court concluded that a BB gun is not a firearm for purposes of the armed robbery statute, G. L. c. 265, § 17.”

Web sources

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."

Print sources

Criminal law: 2025 edition, Municipal Police Institute. 

Criminal law police manual, Law Enforcement Dimensions, 2021.

Handbook of civil procedure in the District Court, 5^th ed., Lawyers Weekly, with supplement.

Last updated:	October 6, 2025