Massachusetts Firearms Law Summary
A plain-English guide to what’s legal in Massachusetts — licensing requirements, allowed features by firearm type, magazine capacity rules, and the official MA Approved Firearms Roster. Always consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.
✅ Licensing Requirements
Massachusetts requires a license to purchase, possess, and carry firearms. There are two main licenses — the FID Card and the License to Carry (LTC). The LTC is the most common choice as it covers all legal firearms.
FID Card
License to Carry
📌 Important — Chapter 135 (2024) Changes
H.4885, signed July 2024 and effective October 2, 2024, significantly expanded MA firearms law. Key changes include: broader “assault-style firearm” definition, mandatory basic safety certificate before LTC/FID application, new registration requirements for semi-automatic firearms, ghost gun regulations, and a 2026 ballot referendum that could repeal Ch. 135 if voters choose “No.”
📊 Feature Comparison by Firearm Type
What’s allowed depends on the type of firearm. This table summarizes key features and rules for handguns, rifles, and shotguns in Massachusetts as of June 2026.
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| Feature / Rule | 🔫 Handgun | 🎯 Rifle | 💥 Shotgun |
|---|---|---|---|
| License Required | LTC Required | FID or LTC | FID or LTC |
| Minimum Purchase Age | 21 years old | 18 years old | 18 years old |
| Must Be on MA Approved Roster | Yes for complete handgun; Frame kits allowed if not assault-style | No Roster Required | No Roster Required |
| Magazine Capacity Limit | 10 rounds max | 10 rounds max | 5 shells max (semi-auto) Pump-action tube mags: EXEMPT |
| Detachable Magazine | Allowed | Allowed (feature rules apply) | Allowed (feature rules apply) |
| Semi-Automatic Action | Allowed if on roster | LTC Required + feature limits | LTC Required + feature limits |
| Pistol Grip | Allowed | Restricted (assault-style trigger) | Restricted (assault-style trigger) |
| Folding / Collapsible Stock | N/A | Banned on semi-auto | Banned on semi-auto |
| Thumbhole Stock | N/A | Banned on semi-auto | Banned on semi-auto |
| Fixed Magazine (10rd or less) | N/A | Allowed with most features | Allowed |
| Threaded Barrel | Allowed if on roster | Restricted on semi-auto | Restricted on semi-auto |
| Flash Suppressor | Allowed if on roster | Banned on semi-auto | Banned |
| Muzzle Brake / Compensator | Allowed | Allowed (not a flash suppressor) | Allowed |
| Suppressor / Silencer | Banned in MA | Banned in MA | Banned in MA |
| Bipod / Forward Grip | N/A | Allowed on bolt-action Banned on semi-auto (forward pistol grip) | Depends on configuration |
| Optics / Scopes / Red Dots | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Adjustable / Aftermarket Trigger | Allowed | Allowed (no bump stock/crank) | Allowed (no bump stock/crank) |
| Bump Stocks / Trigger Cranks | Banned | Banned | Banned |
| Pump Action | N/A | N/A | Allowed — most common legal config |
| Bolt Action | N/A | Fully allowed — FID or LTC | N/A |
| Lever Action | N/A | Fully allowed — FID or LTC | N/A |
| Concealed Carry | LTC Required | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Background Check Required | Yes — All Sales | Yes — All Sales | Yes — All Sales |
| Private Sale / Transfer | Allowed — eFA-10 required | Allowed — eFA-10 required | Allowed — eFA-10 required |
| Safe Storage Required | Yes — if minor present | Yes — if minor present | Yes — if minor present |
| Registration Required | Yes — All Handguns | Yes — All Rifles | Yes — All Shotguns |
🔫 Handguns in Massachusetts
Handguns are the most regulated firearm type in Massachusetts. Only handguns appearing on the MA Approved Firearms Roster may be sold by licensed dealers.
✓ What’s Allowed
- Complete handguns on the MA Approved Firearms Roster — sold by FFL dealers
- Frame kits: Non-roster handgun frames may be sold by dealers as long as the firearm is NOT classified as an assault-style firearm under Chapter 135. The customer completes the build separately.
- Non-roster complete handguns via private transfer between two LTC holders (eFA-10 required)
- Semi-automatic pistols, revolvers, single-action, DA/SA
- Magazines up to 10 rounds (pre-ban mags grandfathered)
- Optics, lights, lasers, aftermarket triggers, grip modifications
- Threaded barrels if model is on the roster
✗ What’s Banned / Restricted
- Complete handguns NOT on the MA Approved Roster — cannot be sold by dealers as complete firearms
- Frame kits for assault-style firearms — banned even as frames
- Magazines over 10 rounds (manufactured after September 13, 1994)
- Machine guns / select-fire pistols
- Suppressors / silencers
- Bump stocks and trigger cranks
- Short-barreled pistols converted from rifles (SBR rules apply)
📌 Frame Kit Sales — Important for MA Buyers
Massachusetts law allows licensed dealers to sell non-roster handgun frames as frame kits, provided the underlying firearm is not classified as an assault-style firearm under Chapter 135 (MGL c.140 §131M). This means you may be able to purchase the frame of a modern pistol — such as certain Glock, SIG, or other popular handguns — that does not appear on the MA Approved Roster as a complete firearm. The buyer acquires the frame/lower only; the slide, barrel, and other components are sourced separately. All standard licensing (LTC), background check, and registration requirements still apply. Ask our staff about current frame kit availability.
🎯 Rifles in Massachusetts
Rifles do not need to be on the MA Approved Roster to be sold by dealers. However, semi-automatic rifles are subject to significant feature restrictions under Chapter 135 (2024).
✓ What’s Allowed
- Bolt-action rifles — any caliber, most configurations (FID or LTC)
- Lever-action rifles (FID or LTC)
- Single-shot rifles (FID or LTC)
- Semi-automatic rifles with FIXED magazine of 10 rounds or less (LTC)
- Semi-automatic .22 LR rifles with tubular magazine (FID)
- Muzzleloaders / black powder rifles — no license required
- Optics, bipods on bolt-action, muzzle brakes
✗ What’s Banned / Restricted on Semi-Auto Rifles
- Detachable magazine + pistol grip = assault-style firearm — BANNED
- Detachable magazine + folding/collapsible/thumbhole stock = BANNED
- Detachable magazine + flash suppressor = BANNED
- Detachable magazine + grenade/flare launcher = BANNED
- Detachable magazine + forward pistol grip = BANNED
- Pre-Aug 1, 2024 assault weapons grandfathered IF registered
- AK-style, AR-style with prohibited features — BANNED
📌 MA-Compliant Semi-Auto Rifle Configurations
A semi-automatic rifle is generally compliant if it has a FIXED (non-detachable) magazine limited to 10 rounds, OR if it has a detachable magazine but NONE of the prohibited features listed above. This is why you see “fixed mag” AR-style rifles for sale in MA — they use a mechanism that requires a tool to remove the magazine.
💥 Shotguns in Massachusetts
Shotguns are the most straightforward category — pump-action and break-action shotguns are broadly legal and widely available. Semi-automatic shotguns face the same feature restrictions as semi-auto rifles.
✓ What’s Allowed
- Pump-action shotguns — all common configurations (FID or LTC)
- Break-action / over-under / side-by-side shotguns (FID or LTC)
- Single-shot shotguns (FID or LTC)
- Semi-automatic shotguns with fixed magazine / compliant features (LTC)
- Barrel length 18" or longer (federal minimum)
- Extended magazine tubes on pump-action (capacity rules still apply)
- Pistol grip on pump-action shotgun (legal — not semi-auto trigger)
- Muzzle brakes, choke tubes, optics
✗ What’s Banned / Restricted
- Sawed-off shotguns — barrel under 18" or overall length under 26"
- Semi-auto shotguns with detachable mag + prohibited features
- Revolving-cylinder shotguns (Street Sweeper, Striker 12) — banned by name
- Magazines over 10 rounds
- Suppressors
- Bump stocks
📦 Magazines & Capacity
Handguns & Rifles — 10 Round Limit — MGL c.140 §121
- Massachusetts limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds maximum for handguns and rifles
- “Pre-ban” magazines manufactured before September 13, 1994 are grandfathered and may be possessed by LTC holders
- Importing, selling, or transferring large-capacity magazines manufactured after 1994 is prohibited
- Drum magazines, 30-round AR magazines, and standard Glock magazines are illegal for sale in MA
Shotguns — 5 Shell Limit (Semi-Auto) — MGL c.140 §121
- Semi-automatic shotguns are limited to 5 shells maximum — this is different from the 10-round rifle/handgun limit
- A semi-auto shotgun capable of accepting more than 5 shells is classified as a large capacity firearm
- Pump-action shotgun tube magazines are FULLY EXEMPT from the large capacity feeding device definition — no capacity limit applies to pump-action tube mags regardless of how many shells they hold
- Lever-action shotgun tube magazines are also exempt
- Detachable box magazines on pump shotguns are subject to the 5-shell limit
- Pre-ban shotgun magazines (before 9/13/1994) are grandfathered for LTC holders
⚠️ Common Misunderstanding
Many buyers assume the 10-round limit applies to shotguns. It does NOT for semi-auto shotguns — the limit is 5 shells. However, pump-action shotgun tube magazines have no capacity limit at all under MA law. A Remington 870 with an 8-round tube magazine is fully legal in Massachusetts.
🔒 Safe Storage Requirements
Massachusetts Safe Storage Law
- All firearms must be stored safely when not under the direct control of the owner
- If a minor under 18 is present in the home, firearms MUST be stored in a locked container or with a trigger lock
- Failure to safely store can result in criminal charges if a minor accesses the firearm
- All new firearm sales in MA must include a trigger lock or locking case
- Recommended: Biometric or keyed gun safes for home storage
🔧 MA Firearm Legality Checker
Select a firearm’s features in our interactive tool to see if the configuration is likely legal to purchase and own in Massachusetts.
Open the Legality Checker →📋 MA Approved Firearms Roster
Search the roster of handguns approved for dealer sale in Massachusetts, with a link to the official mass.gov list.
Search the Roster →