This page is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It may not address every statute, regulation, court decision, agency interpretation, exemption or individual circumstance.
Massachusetts ammunition law can involve firearm licensing, ammunition components, storage, transportation, fire-code requirements and other state or federal laws.
This information is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney or review of the current controlling law.
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.
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.
Complete cartridges and shotgun shells.
Cases can fall within the Massachusetts ammunition definition.
Primers and qualifying igniters can be ammunition under Massachusetts law.
Qualifying bullets designed for firearm use are included.
Qualifying firearm propellant powder can fall within the definition.
2. Reloading Components Are Important
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
18. Reloading Ammunition
People who reload their own ammunition should consider several separate legal and safety issues.
Determine whether your Massachusetts firearm credential authorizes possession of the components.
Cases, primers, bullets and powder may fall within the Massachusetts ammunition definition.
Review applicable fire-code requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Massachusetts' definition can include individual ammunition components.
Qualifying primers and igniters can fall within the ammunition definition.
Qualifying propellant powder can fall within the ammunition definition and can also be regulated by fire code.
A firearm license does not eliminate storage, fire-code or other legal requirements.
The firearm's classification does not necessarily resolve the legal treatment of every component used with it.
Hunting rules and firearm/ammunition possession laws are separate issues.
31. Before Buying or Possessing Ammunition
Complete cartridge, case, primer, bullet, powder or another component.
Determine whether it falls within §121's ammunition definition.
Determine whether an LTC, FID or statutory authorization applies.
Fire-code requirements can apply separately.
Quantity can affect applicable storage requirements.
Residential, multifamily and commercial locations can involve different considerations.
Possession, purchase, reloading, sale, transportation and hunting can involve different rules.
Review the current statutes, regulations and official guidance.
32. GOAL Ammunition Guidance
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.
Primary Massachusetts 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
Massachusetts uses a broad definition of ammunition that can include individual ammunition components.
Ammunition possession, purchase, storage, transportation, reloading and hunting use can involve different Massachusetts laws and regulations.
Review the current controlling statutes, regulations and official guidance before relying on this page.