Massachusetts law does not limit the definition of "ammunition" to complete cartridges.
CARTRIDGE CASES, PRIMERS, BULLETS AND PROPELLANT POWDER CAN ALL BE "AMMUNITION" UNDER MASSACHUSETTS LAW.
Separate Massachusetts fire regulations also govern the storage and transportation of ammunition, primers, smokeless powder and black powder.
What Rules Apply to My Ammunition or Components?
Massachusetts Ammunition Navigator
Use this tool for a starting-point explanation.
1. Massachusetts Defines "Ammunition" Broadly
M.G.L. c. 140, §121 defines ammunition to include:
Complete ammunition cartridges.
The statutory definition expressly includes cartridge cases.
Primers are expressly included in the definition.
A projectile does not have to be assembled into a cartridge to fall within the Massachusetts ammunition definition.
Propellant powder designed for use in a firearm, rifle or shotgun is included.
The statute also expressly includes tear gas cartridges.
2. Reloading Components Are Ammunition
For Massachusetts firearm-law purposes, commonly used reloading components can independently fall within the statutory definition of ammunition.
| Item | Massachusetts §121 Treatment |
|---|---|
| Complete cartridge | Ammunition |
| Cartridge case | Ammunition |
| Primer / igniter | Ammunition |
| Bullet / projectile | Ammunition |
| Propellant powder designed for firearms | Ammunition |
| Tear gas cartridge | Ammunition |
3. Licensing and Possession
Massachusetts regulates possession of both firearms and ammunition.
The appropriate licensing authority can depend upon the person, the firearm involved and any statutory exemption.
4. Purchasing Ammunition
Massachusetts dealers must verify the required license, card, permit or exemption documentation before transferring ammunition.
M.G.L. c. 140, §123 also requires licensed dealers to maintain records concerning firearm and ammunition transactions.
5. FID Card Holders
An FID Card provides ammunition authority within the scope provided by Massachusetts law.
Chapter 135 changed the firearm authority of an FID Card, particularly regarding semiautomatic and large-capacity firearms.
6. LTC Holders
An LTC generally provides broader firearm and ammunition authority, subject to other state and federal restrictions.
7. Ammunition Storage Is a Separate Area of Law
Massachusetts ammunition storage is not governed solely by Chapter 140 firearm law.
Massachusetts fire regulations separately address:
- small-arms ammunition;
- small-arms ammunition primers;
- smokeless propellants;
- black powder; and
- certain ammunition components.
8. Small-Arms Ammunition Storage
Massachusetts fire regulations establish quantity thresholds for the private storage of small-arms ammunition.
The current 527 CMR permit table distinguishes among:
- rimfire ammunition;
- centerfire ammunition;
- shotgun ammunition;
- primers;
- smokeless propellant; and
- black powder.
9. Primers Have Their Own Storage Rules
Primers are ammunition under M.G.L. c. 140, §121, but they are also specifically regulated under Massachusetts fire regulations.
Fire-code requirements can address:
- storage quantity;
- approved containers;
- residential storage;
- commercial storage;
- transportation; and
- separation from other hazardous materials.
10. Smokeless Propellant
Smokeless propellant designed for use in firearms falls within Massachusetts' ammunition definition.
The fire code separately regulates how much smokeless propellant may be kept and when permits or other storage requirements apply.
11. Multiple-Family Dwellings & Public Buildings
Massachusetts fire regulations allow the head of the local fire department to impose lower limits for smokeless propellant stored in a:
- multiple-family dwelling; or
- building of public access.
Anyone storing significant quantities of reloading powder in these locations should review the current fire-code provisions and consult the local fire department where required.
12. Black Powder
Black powder presents two distinct Massachusetts legal issues.
Propellant powder designed for use in a firearm, rifle or shotgun falls within the §121 ammunition definition.
Black powder is separately regulated for storage and transportation because of its explosive characteristics.
For private residential use, Massachusetts fire regulations generally limit black powder to relatively small quantities and impose specific storage requirements.
13. Black Powder Storage Containers
For qualifying private residential quantities, current Massachusetts fire regulations require black powder to be kept in:
- manufacturer's containers; or
- a qualifying wooden box or cabinet.
The regulation specifies construction requirements for the wooden box or cabinet.
14. Transportation of Black Powder
Massachusetts fire regulations also establish quantity-dependent rules for transporting black powder in private vehicles.
These requirements can include:
- approved shipping containers;
- portable magazine requirements for larger quantities; and
- maximum quantities permitted in a private vehicle.
15. Storing Ammunition Near Hazardous Materials
Massachusetts fire regulations require small-arms ammunition to be separated from certain hazardous materials.
These can include:
- flammable liquids;
- combustible liquids;
- flammable solids; and
- oxidizing materials.
The applicable regulation provides for physical separation or a qualifying fire-resistant partition.
16. Damaged Ammunition
Massachusetts fire regulations address ammunition damaged by:
- fire; or
- water exposure.
17. Reloading Ammunition
Reloading brings several independently regulated items together:
- cartridge cases;
- primers;
- bullets;
- smokeless powder or other propellant; and
- completed cartridges.
A person engaged in personal reloading should therefore consider both:
- firearm licensing and ammunition-possession laws; and
- fire-code storage requirements for powder and primers.
18. Muzzleloaders
The ammunition definition is particularly important for owners of traditional muzzleloaders.
A traditional flintlock or caplock may qualify as an antique firearm and therefore fall outside Massachusetts' general firearm definition.
Primers and propellant powder designed for firearm use are expressly included in §121's ammunition definition.
19. Hunters
Hunters should separately analyze:
- firearm licensing;
- ammunition possession;
- ammunition type;
- magazine or feeding-device capacity;
- species-specific ammunition restrictions;
- powder and primer storage; and
- transportation.
20. Nonresidents
Massachusetts has specific statutory exemptions allowing certain nonresidents to possess firearms and ammunition for limited purposes.
Review M.G.L. c. 140, §129C and any applicable nonresident license requirements before entering Massachusetts with firearms, ammunition, powder, primers or other components.
21. Loss of Firearm License
A suspension, revocation, or qualifying denial of a Massachusetts firearm license can affect ammunition as well as firearms.
M.G.L. c. 140, §129D requires surrender of firearms or ammunition under the circumstances specified in that section.
22. Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Massachusetts ERPO law also applies to ammunition.
An ERPO can require surrender of:
- an LTC or FID;
- firearms; and
- ammunition.
Because §121 broadly defines ammunition, component possession can become relevant when an ERPO or other prohibition applies.
23. GOAL Analysis
Massachusetts gun owners should understand that the Commonwealth uses an unusually broad statutory definition of ammunition.
For Massachusetts firearm-law purposes, ammunition can include:
- loaded cartridges;
- empty cartridge cases;
- primers;
- bullets;
- propellant powder; and
- tear gas cartridges.
- reloaders;
- hunters;
- muzzleloader owners;
- historical reenactors;
- nonresidents;
- people whose firearm license has been suspended or revoked; and
- anyone subject to a firearm-possession prohibition.
Ammunition & Component Checklist
Loaded cartridge, case, primer, bullet, powder, or other component.
Do not assume a component is not ammunition.
Determine what LTC, FID, permit, or exemption applies.
Possession, purchase, transfer, storage and transportation can raise different issues.
Large quantities can trigger fire-code permit or licensing requirements.
Primers have specific fire-code requirements.
Smokeless propellant and black powder have separate rules.
Multiple-family dwellings and buildings of public access can have additional restrictions.
Powder and primers can be subject to hazardous-material rules.
Large quantities may require involvement of the local fire department.
Primary Sources
- M.G.L. c. 140, §121 — Massachusetts definition of ammunition.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §123 — dealer sales and transfers of firearms and ammunition.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §128A — firearm and ammunition purchases and transfers.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §129C — exemptions involving firearms and ammunition.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §129D — surrender of firearms and ammunition following specified licensing actions.
- 527 CMR 1.00 — Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code — ammunition, primer, smokeless propellant and black powder storage requirements.
- GOAL — Muzzle Loaders — GOAL guidance concerning ammunition and muzzleloader components.
- GOAL — Massachusetts Gun Law Definitions
Massachusetts firearm law and Massachusetts fire regulations regulate ammunition differently.
Always determine both: (1) whether you may lawfully possess the ammunition or component; and (2) whether the quantity and manner of storage comply with applicable fire-code requirements.