Massachusetts Gun Laws
2026 Compliance Guide
Massachusetts prohibits assault weapons under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 140 § 131M; magazines are limited to 10 rounds; suppressors are banned for civilians; and a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID) is required for any firearm or ammunition possession.
📅 Last updatedMassachusetts Firearm Laws at a Glance
The table below summarizes Massachusetts's key firearm regulations for 2026. Each item links to the relevant statute in the section below.
| Assault Weapons Ban | YES — restricted |
| Magazine Capacity Limit | 10 rounds |
| Suppressors (NFA) | Prohibited for civilians |
| Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR) | Prohibited for civilians |
| Permit Required to Purchase | Yes |
| Background Check on Private Sales | Required |
| Ghost Guns / Unserialized | Prohibited |
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Run a Free MA Compliance Check →Assault Weapons Ban in Massachusetts
Massachusetts prohibits 'assault-style firearms' under M.G.L. c. 140 § 121 (as amended by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, effective October 2, 2024), with the prohibition on sale, transfer, and new possession at M.G.L. c. 140 § 131M. Chapter 135 replaced the term 'assault weapon' with 'assault-style firearm,' codified the Attorney General's 2016 Enforcement Notice into law (covering 'copies or duplicates' of named-banned models), and updated the statutory feature test. Lawfully possessed, registered, and serialized firearms on or before August 1, 2024 are grandfathered. The compliance checker applies the full statutory analysis for your specific firearm.
Practical impact: Standard AR-15 and AK-pattern rifles sold in most states are typically prohibited in Massachusetts. Compliant configurations exist (featureless builds, fixed-magazine variants) but selection is limited. If you are buying a semi-automatic centerfire rifle, run it through the compliance checker before purchase.
Magazine Capacity Limits in Massachusetts
Massachusetts limits magazines to 10 rounds (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 140 § 131M). Pre-September 13, 1994 large-capacity magazines are 'pre-ban' and may be possessed but cannot be transferred to non-licensees.
NFA Items: Suppressors, SBRs, and Machine Guns
Suppressors
Suppressors (silencers) are prohibited for civilian ownership in this state regardless of federal NFA approval. A federal tax stamp does not authorize possession in states where the item is prohibited by state law.
Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs)
Short-barreled rifles are prohibited for civilian ownership in this state regardless of federal NFA approval.
Machine Guns and Other NFA Items
Pre-1986 transferable machine guns are restricted under the federal Firearm Owners Protection Act and require ATF Form 4 approval. Massachusetts separately prohibits civilian machine gun ownership.
Permits and Licensing Requirements
Massachusetts requires a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID) for any firearm or ammunition possession. The LTC is required for handguns and 'large-capacity' rifles; the FID covers low-capacity rifles and shotguns. Both require a state-approved firearms safety course, fingerprinting, and a chief of police interview.
Carry Laws
May-issue concealed carry through the LTC system. Subject to ongoing post-Bruen reform but May-issue 'good reason' standards no longer apply in practice.
Private Sales and Background Checks
All Massachusetts firearm transfers must be reported to the state through the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS). Private sales between license holders must still be reported.
Ghost Guns and Unserialized Firearms
Massachusetts prohibits unserialized firearms and requires all firearms (including privately manufactured) to bear a unique serial number registered with the state.
Federally, ATF Final Rule 2021R-05F (effective August 24, 2022) reclassified most unfinished receiver kits as firearms requiring serialization and FFL transfer. State law in Massachusetts adds additional requirements on top of the federal rule.
Key Massachusetts Firearm Statutes
The following statutes form the legal basis for Massachusetts's firearm regulations. Citations are kept current with the official state code.
- Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 140 § 131 — License to Carry / FID
- Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 140 § 131M — Assault weapons and large-capacity magazine prohibition
- Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 269 § 10 — Unlawful possession of firearms
Frequently Asked Questions: Massachusetts Gun Laws
What is the difference between an LTC and FID in Massachusetts?
A License to Carry (LTC) authorizes possession of all legal firearms including handguns and large-capacity rifles, plus carry of concealed handguns. A Firearms Identification Card (FID) only covers low-capacity rifles, shotguns, and ammunition — handguns are not authorized.
Are AR-15 rifles legal in Massachusetts?
Most standard AR-15 configurations are prohibited under Massachusetts law. Some pre-ban firearms and Massachusetts-compliant variants are legal but selection is severely limited. The 2016 AG enforcement notice expanded the prohibited list to include 'copies or duplicates' of named weapons.
Are suppressors legal in Massachusetts?
No. Civilian ownership of suppressors is prohibited in Massachusetts regardless of federal NFA approval.
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Run a Free Compliance Check →Compare Massachusetts to Other States
Massachusetts's firearm laws differ significantly from neighboring states. View laws for any U.S. state below.