Massachusetts Firearms Laws By Subject
Original material for this matrix courtesy of GOAL.org.
There have been numerous changes in this regulatory matrix because of the recent 116 pages of changes due to Chapter 135 legislation. The information reflected below is not current.
| Reference | Law or Regulation | Notes |
| Ammunition; Dealer | C. 140: Section 122b | Should also reference C. 140: S. 123 Conditions of licenses. |
| Ammunition; Definition | C. 140: S. 121 | |
| Ammunition; Nonresidents | C. 140: S. 131F | |
| Ammunition; Possession | C. 269: S. 10 (h) | Must refer to definition of “Ammunition” in C. 140, S. 121 |
| Ammunition; Purchase | C.140: S. 131E | |
| Ammunition; Sale to Aliens | C. 140: S. 130 | |
| Ammunition; Storage | 527 CMR 13.04 | Covers permits to store large amounts of Ammunition. Permits issued by local Fire Dept. |
| Ammunition; Surrendering | C. 140: S. 129D | Covers Surrender upon loss of license. |
| Ammunition; Theatrical Exemptions | C. 140: S.131 F1/2 | “the carrying or possession of a firearm and blank ammunition therefore” |
| Assault Weapon, Definition | C. 140: S. 121 | |
| Assault Weapon, Possession | C. 140: S. 131M | Refers to 1994 ban. |
| BB Guns; Minors, sale to | C. 269: S. 12A | Selling or furnishing air rifle to minor |
| BB Guns; Minors, possession | C. 269: S. 12B | |
| Black Powder, Possession | C. 140: S. 129C (p) | Covers the possession of ammunition for black powder rifles and shotguns. |
| Black Powder, Loaded | C.269: S12D (a) | |
| Body Armor, Use in a crime | C. 269: S. 10D | |
| Carrying on a Public Way, Rifles or Shotguns | C. 269: S. 12D | |
| Castle Doctrine, Defense in one’s dwelling. | C. 278: S. 8A | Covers protection from prosecution after use of deadly force for self defense in one’s dwelling. |
| Dealers, Licensed | C. 140: S. 122 | Should also reference C. 140: S. 122A, C. 140: S. 122B, C. 140: S. 123 |
| Definitions | C. 140: S. 121 | |
| Electrical Weapons, Possession | C. 140: S. 131J | |
| Extreme Risk Protection orders, Petitions | C 140: S131R | see also https://www.mass.gov/law-library/mass-general-laws-c140-ssss-131r-131y |
| FID Cards, Application for | C. 140: S. 129B | |
| FID Cards, Replacement of lost or stolen | 501 CMR 9 | Covers replacement of lost or stolen FID/LTC |
| FID Cards, Restrictions & Exemptions | C. 140: S. 129C | |
| FID Cards, Revoked | C. 140: S. 129D | Covers surrendering procedures. |
| Firearm, Discharge | C. 131: S. 58 | Covers legal discharge on private property |
| Firearm, Discharge | C. 269: 12E | Covers legal discharge on private property |
| Firearm, (handgun) Alien | C. 140: S. 131F | Alien permits to possess firearms. |
| Firearm, (handgun) definition | C. 140: S. 121 | |
| Firearm, (handgun) Illegal Multiple Sales | C. 269: S. 10E | |
| Firearm, (handgun) non-residents | C. 140: S. 131G | Covers participation in shooting events, transportation, and non-resident hunting |
| Firearm, (handgun) sale of | C. 140: S. 123 | Statutory version |
| Firearm, (handgun) sale of | 940 CMR 16.00 | Regulatory version |
| Firearm, (handgun) transportation | C. 140: S. 131C (a), (b) | |
| License to Carry (LTC), Application for | C. 140: S. 131 | |
| License to Carry (LTC), Carrying expired | C. 140: S. 131 (m) | Covers non-criminal charges for carrying under an expired license. |
| License to Carry (LTC), Replacement of lost or stolen | 501 CMR 9 | Covers replacement of lost or stolen FID/LTC |
| License to Carry (LTC), Revoked | C. 140: S. 129D | Covers surrendering procedures. |
| Large Capacity, Transportation of Rifle & Shotgun | C. 140: S. 131C (c) | |
| Large Capacity Feeding Device, Definition | C. 140: S. 121 | |
| Large Capacity Feeding Device, Illegal Transfer | C. 269: S. 10F | |
| Large Capacity Feeding Device, License for | C. 140: S. 131 | LTC A |
| Large Capacity Feeding Device, Possession | C. 140: S. 131M | Refers to 1994 ban. |
| Large Capacity Feeding Device, Purchase of | C. 140: S. 131E (b) | Covers need for LTC |
| Large Capacity Feeding Device, Transportation of | C. 269: S. 10 (m) | |
| Private Sales | C. 140: S. 128B | Covers non-dealer sales |
| Prohibited Person, Definition | C. 140: S. 131 (i)-(x) | Who may not be issued an LTC |
| Safety Courses | C. 140: S. 131P | |
| Schools, Possession within | C. 269: S. 10 (j) | |
| Sound Suppressors / Silencers | C. 269: S. 10A | |
| Storage | C. 140: S. 131L | Storage requirements |
| Surrendering, Upon Revocation | C. 140: S. 129D | |
| Surrendering Program | C. 140: S. 131O | Buy backs, etc. |
| Temporary License, Non-Residents | C. 140: S. 131F | |
| Temporary License, Theatrical | C. 140: S. 131F13Ú42 | |
| Transportation, Firearms and Large Capacity Rifles & Shotguns | C. 140: S. 131C |