Massachusetts Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Massachusetts have an Assault Weapons Ban? | ✅ Yes. Massachusetts bans most assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines (over 10 rounds). |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. All gun transfers must be reported and approved via the state’s online portal with background checks. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. All FFL sales require a federal background check (NICS). |
| Is Massachusetts a Stand Your Ground state? | 🚫 No. There is a duty to retreat in public unless you are in your home. |
| What kind of restrictions does Massachusetts have? |
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| Does Massachusetts have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes. All firearms must be stored locked when not under the owner’s immediate control. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Massachusetts? | 🚫 No. Purchases are monitored, and certain restrictions apply to frequency. |
| Does Massachusetts have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law is in place. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
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| Do I have to register my guns in Massachusetts? | ✅ Yes. Firearms must be registered in the state system. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | ✅ Yes. LTC (or FID for rifles/shotguns) is required. |
| Does Massachusetts have a waiting period for firearms? | ✅ No formal waiting period, but approval time can act as a delay. |
✅ Yes. Massachusetts bans most assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines (over 10 rounds).
✅ Yes. All gun transfers must be reported and approved via the state’s online portal with background checks.
✅ Yes. All FFL sales require a federal background check (NICS).
🚫 No. There is a duty to retreat in public unless you are in your home.
- ⚠️License to Carry (LTC) required for most firearms
- ⚠️ Mandatory firearm registration
- ⚠️ Assault weapon & magazine bans
- ⚠️ Mandatory safety course and background check
✅ Yes. All firearms must be stored locked when not under the owner’s immediate control.
🚫 No. Purchases are monitored, and certain restrictions apply to frequency.
✅ Yes. An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law is in place.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
✅ Yes. Firearms must be registered in the state system.
✅ Yes. LTC (or FID for rifles/shotguns) is required.
✅ No formal waiting period, but approval time can act as a delay.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Massachusetts allow Open Carry? | 🚫 Not generally permitted. Open carry of handguns requires an LTC and is discouraged; often leads to law enforcement response. |
| Does Massachusetts allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal with a License to Carry (LTC). Required for concealed handgun carry in public. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Legal. Pepper spray is legal without a permit; stun guns are legal with some restrictions. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ With an LTC, you may carry in most public places not otherwise restricted. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, secure areas of airports, and private property with posted bans. |
| States honored? | 🚫 None. Massachusetts does not recognize permits from other states. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ States that recognize a Massachusetts LTC include:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 6 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. LTC applies to handguns only, not other weapons. |
| Permit Licensure? | ✅ Required. LTC (for handguns) and FID (for rifles/shotguns) are issued after background check, training, and local approval. Issued by police department in the town or city where the applicant resides. |
🚫 Not generally permitted. Open carry of handguns requires an LTC and is discouraged; often leads to law enforcement response.
✅ Legal with a License to Carry (LTC). Required for concealed handgun carry in public.
✅ Legal. Pepper spray is legal without a permit; stun guns are legal with some restrictions.
✅ With an LTC, you may carry in most public places not otherwise restricted.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, federal buildings, secure areas of airports, and private property with posted bans.
🚫 None. Massachusetts does not recognize permits from other states.
✅ States that recognize a Massachusetts LTC include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 6 Years.
🚫 No. LTC applies to handguns only, not other weapons.
✅ Required. LTC (for handguns) and FID (for rifles/shotguns) are issued after background check, training, and local approval. Issued by police department in the town or city where the applicant resides.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Massachusetts Leadership
- Born: February 8, 1971 (Hingham, MA)
- Term Started: January 5, 2023
- Previous Role: Massachusetts Attorney General
- Born: June 22, 1949 (Oklahoma City, OK)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2013
- Committees:
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Special Committee on Aging
- Born: July 11, 1946 (Malden, MA)
- Senate Service: Since July 16, 2013
- Committees:
- Foreign Relations
- Environment and Public Works
- Commerce Science and Transportation