Massachusetts Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Massachusetts: Gun Laws Summary

Massachusetts is a shall-issue state for License to Carry (LTC) since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the NYSRPA v Bruen case on June 23rd, 2022. LTCs are issued at the local police station or, for non-residents, through the State Police Firearms Records Bureau. A Firearm Identification (FID) card or LTC is required to purchase a firearm, and a background check is required to buy a handgun from a private individual. Sellers must verify the buyer’s Firearm Identification Card with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. Although handgun registration is not required, all sellers of firearms must report firearms sales and transfers to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, which maintains comprehensive records of sales and transfers. An LTC is also required to buy ammunition.

Self-Defense

Massachusetts is a Castle Doctrine state. According to Massachusetts law, if a person is an occupant of a dwelling charged with killing or injuring one who was unlawfully in the dwelling, it is a defense that the occupant was in one’s dwelling at the time of the offense and that he or she acted in the reasonable belief that the person unlawfully in the dwelling was about to inflict great bodily injury or death upon the occupant, and that the occupant used reasonable means to defend himself or herself or another person lawfully in the dwelling. There is no duty to retreat in a person’s dwelling, although there is a duty to retreat outside of one’s home.

Minimum Age for LTC

The minimum age for a Massachusetts LTC is 21 years old. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140 § 131]

Concealed Carry

Concealed carry is legal in Massachusetts for individuals who have a Massachusetts LTC or a formerly issued, valid Class A LTC. LTCs require a state-approved firearms training course. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and airports. Massachusetts does not honor permits from any other states. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140 § 131]

Massachusetts: Gun Laws at a Glance


Magazine Capacity Restrictions	No more than 10 rounds. It is illegal to sell, offer for sale, transfer or possess an assault weapon or a large capacity feeding device that was not otherwise lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. ”Large capacity feeding device” means a fixed or detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip or similar device capable of accepting, or that can be readily converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition. There is an exemption for law enforcement officers (LEOs) and retired LEOs. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 131M]
Taser or Stun Gun Ownership	Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal with a LTC, as long as they are in a shape that resembles a gun (not “covert” electronic weapons that resemble other objects like pens). In order to purchase, a copy of a resident firearms license, state ID and a MA Basic Firearms Safety Course certificate are required and a background check will be conducted. [Session Law Chapter 123 (2018)]
Constitutional Carry	No. Massachusetts does not allow constitutional carry.
Chemical Spray/Pepper Spray Ownership	Yes, chemical mace or pepper spray can be carried without an LTC. It can only be sold by Federal Firearm Licensees. Section 122D identifies individuals who are prohibited from purchase or possession of self-defense spray, including minors and individuals that are under a permanent or temporary protection order or are currently the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, §§ 122C and 122D]
Open Carry	Yes, with a license. It is uncommon and there have been reports that some jurisdictions will use this as grounds to revoke licenses or to charge you with another type of offense (i.e. menacing).
Concealed Carry License Issuance	Massachusetts is now a shall issue state.
Minimum Age for Concealed Carry License	You must be at least 21 years old to get a LTC in Massachusetts.
Concealed Carry of Weapons Other Than Handguns	Yes. Stun guns may be carried in Massachusetts with a LTC. In addition, an LTC allows the license holder to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry: firearms, including large capacity firearms, and feeding devices and ammunition therefor, for all lawful purposes.
Ammunition Restrictions	Yes. Any person with a license to carry is permitted to purchase, possess and carry all types of lawful ammunition. The minimum age to purchase handgun ammunition is 21 years old.

Massachusetts: Carry Locations


Carrying Firearms in State/National Parks, State/National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas	Yes, with a LTC.[302 CMR § 12.04(5) & 321 CMR § 3:01]
Carrying Firearms at Roadside Rest Areas	Yes, with a LTC.
Carrying Firearms in Bars and Restaurants that Serve Alcohol	Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a MA LTC, unless posted.
Storing Firearms in Private Vehicles in an Employee Parking Lot	Not addressed in Massachusetts state law, although employers may have a policy.
Carrying Firearms on Hotel Property	Massachusetts statutes don’t specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about its concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
Carrying Firearms in a Vehicle	Yes, with a LTC, provided the weapon is under the license holder’s direct control. Without a LTC, it is illegal to knowingly possess or control a firearm in a vehicle, whether loaded or unloaded, unless the possessor is at his or her residence or place of business or possesses the proper card or license for the firearm possessed. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 131C]

Massachusetts: Key State Laws


Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Massachusetts?	No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Massachusetts. [Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 106, § 129C(u)]
Does Massachusetts state law define brandishing?	No definition of brandishing was found in Massachusetts law. Any person who, with a dangerous weapon, attempts to use physical force against someone or shows an intention to use immediate force against someone is guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265 § 15B(b)]
Are “No Firearm” signs enforced by Massachusetts state law?	No. “No Firearm” signs in Massachusetts do not have the force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State law as being off limits to those with a permit/license to carry.
Does Massachusetts have preemption laws related to concealed carry?	No. Massachusetts does not have preemption laws. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 43B, § 13]
Does Massachusetts have a red flag law?	Yes, Massachusetts has a red flag law. An immediate family member of a person or a law enforcement officer may file a petition ordering the immediate suspension and surrender of any license to carry firearms or firearm identification card which the respondent may hold, as well as order the respondent to surrender all firearms, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, weapons or ammunition which the respondent then controls, owns or possesses. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 131J thru 131Y]
Does Massachusetts issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?	Yes. Massachusetts grants licenses to non-residents.
Does Massachusetts allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No. Massachusetts does not allow public access to concealed carry registry information.
Is my Massachusetts driver’s license linked to my Massachusetts carry permit?	Yes. Any time law enforcement runs a driver’s license or vehicle registration, if the individual has a firearms license it will be indicated, along with a list of registered firearms. [Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 140, § 129B]
Does Massachusetts have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or drugs?	Not while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances, all as defined in ch. 94C, § 1, or from smelling or inhaling the fumes of any substance having the property of releasing toxic vapors as defined in ch. 270, § 18. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 10H]As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Massachusetts: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Massachusetts?	Yes. A Firearm Identification (FID) card or LTC is required to purchase a firearm. See the Permit Application Process below.
Are background checks required for private gun sales in Massachusetts?	Yes. Private sellers of firearms must conduct a real-time check of the validity of the purchaser’s Firearms Identification Card. The MA Gun Transaction Portal must be used to make transfers. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140 Sect 128A]
Does my current Massachusetts concealed carry license exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm?	No.
Do handguns need to be registered in Massachusetts?	No. Transfers of firearms ownership are required to be recorded with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).
Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Massachusetts?	No. A FID or LTC is required in order to make a purchase, and these may take up to 60 days to process.
Does Massachusetts have a roster of handguns approved for retail sale?	Yes. Massachusetts has an approved firearms roster that contains firearms that meet detailed safety standards and have been approved by the Secretary of Public Safety and Security. Licensed firearms dealers may only sell handguns from this list at retail. There are exceptions for handguns lawfully owned before October 21, 1998, and some handguns solely designed and sold for formal target or Olympic shooting competition. [Approved firearms rosters][Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 123]
What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Massachusetts?	21 years old and a FID is required. It shall be lawful to furnish a weapon to a minor for hunting, recreation, instruction and participation in shooting sports while under the supervision of a holder of a valid firearm identification card or license to carry appropriate for the weapon in use; provided, however, that the parent or guardian of the minor granted consent for such activities. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 130 & 131(d)(iv)]
Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home without a license?	Yes. Anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm, may possess a firearm at the person’s residence or place of business without a license. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 10(a)(1)0]