Massachusetts Ammunition

Massachusetts uses a broad legal definition of ammunition.

For Massachusetts firearm-law purposes, ammunition can include much more than a complete loaded cartridge or shotgun shell.

Primary Legal Sources

• M.G.L. c. 140, §121 — Massachusetts firearm-law definitions, including ammunition.
• M.G.L. c. 140, §129B — Firearm Identification Card.
• M.G.L. c. 140, §131 — License to Carry.
• Mass.gov — Firearms Services
• 527 CMR 1.00 — Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
• 321 CMR 3.00 — Massachusetts hunting regulations.
• MassWildlife — Hunting With a Firearm in Massachusetts

  1. What Does Massachusetts Consider Ammunition?

  The definition of ammunition in M.G.L. c. 140, §121 includes cartridges or cartridge cases, primers or igniters, bullets and propellant powder designed for use in a firearm, rifle or shotgun.

  The definition also includes certain tear gas cartridges.

  Loaded Ammunition
  
  Complete cartridges and shotgun shells.

  Cartridge Cases
  
  Cases can fall within the Massachusetts ammunition definition.

  Primers / Igniters
  
  Primers and qualifying igniters can be ammunition under Massachusetts law.

  Bullets / Projectiles
  
  Qualifying bullets designed for firearm use are included.

  Propellant Powder
  
  Qualifying firearm propellant powder can fall within the definition.

  2. Reloading Components Are Important

  MASSACHUSETTS DOES NOT LIMIT THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF AMMUNITION TO A COMPLETE, READY-TO-FIRE CARTRIDGE.

  This is particularly important for people who reload ammunition or possess components separately.

  Depending on the item, Massachusetts ammunition law can apply to:

  • primers;
  • cartridge cases;
  • bullets;
  • propellant powder; and
  • complete ammunition.

  3. Firearm Licensing and Ammunition

  Massachusetts ties lawful ammunition possession and acquisition to firearm licensing or another applicable statutory authorization.

  The appropriate credential can depend on the person and the circumstances.

  DO NOT ASSUME THAT AMMUNITION IS UNREGULATED SIMPLY BECAUSE NO FIREARM IS PRESENT.

  4. License to Carry — LTC

  A valid Massachusetts License to Carry allows the holder the ability to lawfully possess and purchase, ammunition subject to other applicable restrictions.

  An LTC does not override:

  • prohibited-person laws;
  • court orders;
  • location restrictions;
  • fire-code storage requirements;
  • hazardous-material rules; or
  • other applicable state or federal laws.

  5. Firearm Identification Card — FID

  A valid Massachusetts Firearm Identification Card also allows for ammunition and ammunition components.

  6. Buying Ammunition

  A person purchasing ammunition in Massachusetts should determine whether the appropriate Massachusetts firearm credential or statutory authorization is required.

  This analysis should include ammunition components when those components fall within the statutory definition.

  A retailer may have separate Massachusetts licensing, recordkeeping and transaction requirements.

  7. Buying Reloading Components

  Reloaders should pay particular attention to the broad Massachusetts definition of ammunition.

  Items commonly thought of as "components" may still be legally classified as ammunition.

  "IT IS ONLY A COMPONENT" IS NOT, BY ITSELF, AN EXEMPTION FROM MASSACHUSETTS AMMUNITION LAW.

  8. Ammunition Storage

  Ammunition storage can involve requirements separate from firearm safe-storage law.

  Massachusetts fire regulations address the storage of materials such as:

  • small-arms ammunition;
  • primers;
  • smokeless propellant; and
  • black powder.
  DO NOT APPLY THE FIREARM SAFE-STORAGE LAW AS THE ONLY RULE FOR AMMUNITION, PRIMERS OR PROPELLANT.

  9. Firearm Law vs. Fire Code

  Massachusetts firearm law and Massachusetts fire-safety regulations serve different purposes.

  Firearm Law	Fire / Safety Regulations
  Can regulate who may possess or purchase ammunition.	Can regulate how certain ammunition and propellants are stored.
  Uses the ammunition definition in Chapter 140.	Uses fire-code classifications and storage requirements.
  May involve an LTC, FID or statutory exemption.	May involve quantity, container, building or location requirements.

  Compliance with one body of law does not necessarily establish compliance with the other.

  10. Small-Arms Ammunition

  Massachusetts fire regulations separately address the storage and handling of small-arms ammunition.

  Applicable requirements can depend on:

  • quantity;
  • type of ammunition;
  • type of building;
  • storage method;
  • occupancy; and
  • other materials stored nearby.

  11. Primers

  Primers deserve particular attention because they can be regulated in more than one way.

  For firearm-law purposes, qualifying primers or igniters can fall within the statutory definition of ammunition.

  For fire-safety purposes, primers can also be subject to separate storage requirements.

  PRIMERS SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS ORDINARY UNREGULATED HARDWARE.

  12. Smokeless Propellant

  Smokeless powder used for ammunition reloading can fall within the Massachusetts firearm-law definition of ammunition when it qualifies as propellant powder designed for use in a firearm, rifle or shotgun.

  It can also be regulated separately under Massachusetts fire regulations.

  Storage considerations can include:

  • quantity;
  • container type;
  • storage location;
  • building type;
  • proximity to ignition sources; and
  • other hazardous materials.

  13. Black Powder

  Black powder can present separate storage and fire-safety issues.

  A person possessing black powder should review both:

  • Massachusetts firearm and ammunition law; and
  • applicable Massachusetts fire regulations.
  DO NOT ASSUME THAT BLACK POWDER AND SMOKELESS PROPELLANT HAVE IDENTICAL STORAGE RULES.

  14. Storage Containers

  Proper storage can depend on the material being stored.

  Do not automatically transfer firearm-storage practices to propellant-storage practices.

  Applicable fire regulations and manufacturer safety information should be reviewed before selecting a storage container.

  15. Multifamily and Public Buildings

  The type of building in which ammunition or reloading components are stored can matter.

  Additional considerations can arise in:

  • multifamily residences;
  • apartment buildings;
  • commercial buildings;
  • public buildings;
  • mixed-use properties; and
  • other regulated occupancies.
  Always review the current Massachusetts fire code and any applicable local requirements when storing significant quantities of ammunition, primers or propellant.

  16. Ammunition Transportation

  Transportation of ammunition can involve different rules from transportation of firearms.

  Consider:

  • the type of ammunition or component;
  • quantity;
  • whether firearms are also present;
  • the vehicle;
  • the destination;
  • applicable fire-safety requirements; and
  • federal transportation rules where applicable.

  17. Ammunition and Firearm Storage

  Massachusetts firearm safe-storage requirements principally address firearms.

  Ammunition, primers and propellants can be subject to different requirements.

  DO NOT ASSUME THAT AMMUNITION MUST ALWAYS BE STORED IN THE SAME CONTAINER AS A FIREARM — OR THAT DOING SO SATISFIES EVERY APPLICABLE STORAGE RULE.

  18. Reloading Ammunition

  People who reload their own ammunition should consider several separate legal and safety issues.

  Licensing
  
  Determine whether your Massachusetts firearm credential authorizes possession of the components.

  Components
  
  Cases, primers, bullets and powder may fall within the Massachusetts ammunition definition.

  Storage
  
  Review applicable fire-code requirements.

  Quantity
  
  Storage requirements can change depending on the amount and type of material.

  19. Manufacturing Ammunition

  Reloading ammunition for personal use and manufacturing ammunition for sale or distribution can involve very different legal requirements.

  DO NOT ASSUME THAT AUTHORITY TO RELOAD AMMUNITION FOR PERSONAL USE AUTHORIZES COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURE OR SALE.

  Commercial activity can implicate additional Massachusetts and federal licensing requirements.

  20. Selling or Transferring Ammunition

  The sale or transfer of ammunition can involve requirements different from simple personal possession.

  Before selling or transferring ammunition, determine:

  • whether the seller must be licensed;
  • whether the recipient has the required credential;
  • whether transaction records are required;
  • whether the ammunition itself is lawful;
  • whether age restrictions apply; and
  • whether federal law applies.

  21. Ammunition Retailers

  Massachusetts retailers should separately review requirements concerning:

  • dealer licensing;
  • customer credentials;
  • ammunition transaction records;
  • storage;
  • fire-code compliance;
  • employee procedures; and
  • federal requirements.
  A CUSTOMER'S FIREARM LICENSE SHOULD BE CHECKED AGAINST THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PARTICULAR TRANSACTION.

  22. Muzzleloaders

  Muzzleloading firearms create an important ammunition issue because the legal classification of the firearm and the legal classification of its ammunition components are separate questions.

  Items used with muzzleloaders can include:

  • black powder or substitutes;
  • percussion caps;
  • primers or igniters;
  • projectiles; and
  • other components.
  DO NOT ASSUME THAT A FIREARM'S STATUS AS AN ANTIQUE FIREARM AUTOMATICALLY RESOLVES EVERY QUESTION ABOUT THE POWDER, PRIMERS OR OTHER COMPONENTS USED WITH IT.

  23. Hunters

  Hunters using firearms in Massachusetts should separately review ammunition restrictions for the particular species and season.

  MassWildlife rules can regulate:

  • projectile type;
  • shot size;
  • non-toxic shot requirements;
  • caliber;
  • ammunition type;
  • muzzleloader projectiles; and
  • other hunting-specific ammunition requirements.
  AMMUNITION THAT IS LAWFUL TO POSSESS IS NOT NECESSARILY LAWFUL FOR EVERY TYPE OF HUNTING.

  24. Nonresident Hunters

  Nonresident hunters should review Massachusetts firearm and ammunition law before entering the Commonwealth.

  A hunting license does not necessarily replace firearm-law requirements.

  Nonresidents should review:

  • firearm-possession exemptions;
  • ammunition authority;
  • firearm type;
  • hunting ammunition requirements;
  • transportation; and
  • storage.

  25. Ammunition From Another State

  A product being lawfully purchased in another state does not automatically establish that its possession, transportation or use is lawful in Massachusetts.

  MASSACHUSETTS LAW APPLIES ONCE THE AMMUNITION OR COMPONENTS ARE BROUGHT INTO THE COMMONWEALTH.

  26. Prohibited Persons

  A person prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under state or federal law should not assume that possession of ammunition components is permitted merely because no firearm is present.

  The broad Massachusetts definition of ammunition makes component possession especially important.

  27. Suspension or Revocation of a Firearm License

  The suspension, revocation or expiration of a firearm credential can affect ammunition possession.

  DO NOT FOCUS ONLY ON THE FIREARMS WHEN A LICENSE IS SUSPENDED, REVOKED OR OTHERWISE NO LONGER VALID.

  Ammunition and qualifying components should also be considered.

  28. Extreme Risk Protection Orders

  Massachusetts Extreme Risk Protection Orders can affect a respondent's authority concerning firearms and ammunition.

  A person subject to an ERPO should carefully review the order and applicable statutes concerning surrender, possession and return.

  29. Damaged or Unwanted Ammunition

  Damaged ammunition, deteriorated powder, old primers and other components should be handled carefully.

  DO NOT BURN, DISASSEMBLE, DUMP OR OTHERWISE IMPROPERLY DISPOSE OF UNKNOWN OR DAMAGED AMMUNITION OR PROPELLANT.

  Contact an appropriate law-enforcement agency, fire department, licensed dealer, hazardous-material authority or other qualified professional for guidance when necessary.

  30. Common Ammunition Misunderstandings

  "It Isn't a Complete Round"
  
  Massachusetts' definition can include individual ammunition components.

  "It Is Only a Primer"
  
  Qualifying primers and igniters can fall within the ammunition definition.

  "It Is Only Powder"
  
  Qualifying propellant powder can fall within the ammunition definition and can also be regulated by fire code.

  "I Have an LTC"
  
  A firearm license does not eliminate storage, fire-code or other legal requirements.

  "The Gun Is an Antique"
  
  The firearm's classification does not necessarily resolve the legal treatment of every component used with it.

  "It Is Legal for Hunting"
  
  Hunting rules and firearm/ammunition possession laws are separate issues.

  31. Before Buying or Possessing Ammunition

  1. Identify the Item
  
  Complete cartridge, case, primer, bullet, powder or another component.

  2. Check the Definition
  
  Determine whether it falls within §121's ammunition definition.

  3. Check Your Credential
  
  Determine whether an LTC, FID or statutory authorization applies.

  4. Check Storage Rules
  
  Fire-code requirements can apply separately.

  5. Check Quantity
  
  Quantity can affect applicable storage requirements.

  6. Check the Building
  
  Residential, multifamily and commercial locations can involve different considerations.

  7. Check the Activity
  
  Possession, purchase, reloading, sale, transportation and hunting can involve different rules.

  8. Check Current Law
  
  Review the current statutes, regulations and official guidance.

  32. GOAL Ammunition Guidance

  GOAL INFORMATION
  
  GOAL recommends that Massachusetts gun owners and hunters avoid thinking of "ammunition" as meaning only a complete cartridge or shotgun shell.
  
  For every ammunition product or reloading component, determine:

  • whether the item falls within the Massachusetts definition of ammunition;
  • whether your firearm credential authorizes possession;
  • whether separate purchase requirements apply;
  • whether Massachusetts fire regulations govern storage;
  • whether quantity affects the applicable requirements;
  • whether transportation rules apply;
  • whether the item is lawful for the intended hunting activity; and
  • whether additional federal requirements apply.

  Cartridge cases, primers or igniters, bullets and qualifying propellant powder can fall within Massachusetts' legal definition of ammunition even when they are not assembled into a complete round.