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 feeding-device law can depend on the exact device, its capacity, configuration, date of manufacture or possession, the firearm with which it is used, location and activity.
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 Feeding Devices & Magazines
Massachusetts law separately regulates firearm feeding devices and devices classified as large-capacity feeding devices.
The principal definitions appear in M.G.L. c. 140, §121, while major possession and transfer restrictions are contained in M.G.L. c. 140, §131M.
1. What Is a Feeding Device?
Massachusetts law defines a feeding device broadly.
The term includes a:
- magazine;
- belt;
- strip;
- drum; or
- similar device
that holds ammunition for feeding into a firearm.
2. What Is a Large-Capacity Feeding Device?
Under M.G.L. c. 140, §121, a qualifying feeding device may be classified as a large-capacity feeding device when it is capable of accepting:
For ammunition other than shotgun shells.
For a qualifying shotgun feeding device.
The definition can also reach certain devices that can be readily converted to accept more than the statutory capacity.
3. Fixed and Detachable Devices
The Massachusetts definition can apply to both:
- fixed feeding devices; and
- detachable feeding devices.
Fixed-magazine capacity can also affect the classification of the firearm itself.
4. Parts and Combinations of Parts
The statutory definition can also reach certain combinations of parts from which a large-capacity feeding device can be assembled when those parts are in the possession or control of the same person.
The exact statutory definition should be reviewed when dealing with magazine bodies, springs, followers, floor plates or other components.
5. Permanently Reduced Capacity
Massachusetts excludes certain feeding devices that have been permanently altered so they cannot accommodate more than:
- 10 rounds of ammunition; or
- 5 shotgun shells.
6. Tubular .22 Rimfire Magazines
The statutory definition contains an exclusion for an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.
7. Lever-Action and Pump-Action Tubular Magazines
Massachusetts law also contains an exclusion for certain tubular feeding devices contained in lever-action firearms or pump-action shotguns.
The exact firearm and feeding-device configuration should be reviewed before relying on this exclusion.
8. LTC Does Not Automatically Authorize the Magazine
Licensing and feeding-device legality are separate questions.
A person should determine:
- whether the device is large-capacity;
- whether a statutory exception applies;
- when the device was manufactured or possessed;
- where the device is possessed;
- how it is being transported; and
- whether transfer or import restrictions apply.
9. General Restriction Under §131M
M.G.L. c. 140, §131M restricts the:
- possession;
- ownership;
- offer for sale;
- sale;
- transfer; and
- importation
of large-capacity feeding devices unless a statutory exception applies.
10. September 13, 1994
The date September 13, 1994 is important under Massachusetts large-capacity feeding-device law.
Section 131M contains a possession provision concerning qualifying large-capacity feeding devices that were lawfully possessed on that date.
The exact device, possession history and current location must still be considered.
11. Location Restrictions
Even where a qualifying large-capacity feeding device falls within the applicable §131M possession provision, Massachusetts limits where it may be possessed.
Authorized circumstances can include possession at:
- private property owned or legally controlled by the person;
- another person's private property that is not open to the public, with that person's express permission;
- a licensed firearm dealer or gunsmith for lawful repair;
- a licensed shooting range; and
- a lawful sports shooting competition venue.
12. Transportation Between Authorized Locations
Section 131M provides for transportation of qualifying devices between authorized locations, subject to statutory conditions.
Before transporting a device, confirm that both the starting location and destination fall within the authorized circumstances.
13. Public Ways and Vehicles
Possession of a large-capacity feeding device on a public way or in a vehicle can present significant legal issues.
Where transportation is authorized under §131M, the device should be transported in the manner required by that statute.
14. Loaded vs. Unloaded
The status of the feeding device itself matters.
For transportation under the applicable §131M provision, the large-capacity feeding device must be unloaded and secured as required by law.
15. Semiautomatic Firearms
Feeding-device capacity can also affect the legal classification of a semiautomatic firearm.
Under the current §121 definition, a semiautomatic firearm may receive the secondary designation large-capacity firearm if it:
- has a fixed large-capacity feeding device; or
- is capable of accepting, or readily modifiable to accept, a detachable large-capacity feeding device when the firearm and device are in the same person's possession or under that person's control in a vehicle.
16. Large-Capacity Firearm vs. Large-Capacity Feeding Device
| Large-Capacity Firearm | Large-Capacity Feeding Device |
|---|---|
| A classification applied to the firearm. | A classification applied to the magazine, drum, belt or other qualifying feeding device. |
| Defined separately in §121. | Defined separately in §121. |
| Can depend partly on feeding-device capability. | Depends on the characteristics and capacity of the device. |
| Licensing and possession rules may apply. | §131M imposes separate possession and transfer restrictions. |
17. Assault-Style Firearms
Feeding-device capability can also be relevant to Massachusetts assault-style firearm classification.
For example, portions of the statutory assault-style firearm definition examine whether certain semiautomatic firearms are capable of accepting a detachable feeding device.
The firearm itself must be analyzed under the complete assault-style firearm definition.
18. Handgun Magazines
The large-capacity feeding-device law applies to qualifying handgun magazines.
A handgun owner should separately determine:
- magazine capacity;
- whether the magazine is a large-capacity feeding device;
- whether a statutory possession provision applies;
- whether the handgun is a large-capacity firearm;
- whether the handgun is assault-style; and
- whether transportation is lawful.
19. Rifle Magazines
Rifle magazines require the same independent capacity analysis.
A magazine capable of accepting more than 10 rounds may fall within the large-capacity feeding-device definition unless a statutory exclusion applies.
Compatibility with a semiautomatic rifle can also affect the classification of the rifle itself.
20. Shotgun Feeding Devices
For qualifying shotgun feeding devices, the large-capacity threshold is:
Specific tubular-device exclusions and firearm configurations must also be considered.
21. Hunting
Hunters must distinguish between:
- Massachusetts firearm-law magazine restrictions; and
- MassWildlife hunting-specific capacity restrictions.
Likewise, compliance with a hunting capacity limit does not necessarily establish that the feeding device is lawful under Massachusetts firearm law.
22. Nonresidents
A feeding device that is lawful in another state is not automatically lawful in Massachusetts.
Before bringing magazines into Massachusetts, a nonresident should review:
- capacity;
- §131M;
- the firearm with which the device will be used;
- transportation requirements;
- the purpose of the visit; and
- any specific statutory exemption being relied upon.
23. Interstate Travel
Travel through Massachusetts can involve both state and federal law.
A traveler should not assume that the legality of the firearm automatically resolves the legality of every feeding device being transported.
24. Shooting Ranges
Section 131M identifies qualifying licensed shooting ranges as one of the locations relevant to possession of certain qualifying large-capacity feeding devices.
The person should still determine:
- whether the device qualifies under the applicable possession provision;
- whether the range qualifies under the statute;
- whether transportation to and from the range is lawful; and
- whether the firearm used with the device is itself lawful.
25. Shooting Competitions
Section 131M also addresses qualifying sports shooting competition venues.
Competition participation should not be treated as a blanket exemption from Massachusetts feeding-device law.
26. Dealers and Gunsmiths
Section 131M contains provisions concerning possession at qualifying licensed firearm dealers and gunsmiths for lawful purposes such as repair.
A firearm owner should determine whether:
- the device itself may lawfully be possessed;
- the dealer or gunsmith qualifies under the statute;
- transportation is authorized; and
- any transfer or disposition is independently lawful.
27. Sale and Transfer
Section 131M places significant restrictions on the transfer of large-capacity feeding devices.
Before any sale, gift, loan or other transfer, review the current statutory transfer provisions.
28. Inheritance
Section 131M contains limited provisions concerning transfer of qualifying devices through inheritance.
An heir or devisee should determine:
- whether the device qualifies under §131M;
- whether the recipient may lawfully possess it;
- where possession is authorized;
- how it may be transported; and
- whether another transfer is permitted.
29. Importation Into Massachusetts
Massachusetts restricts the importation of large-capacity feeding devices.
The proposed importation must independently satisfy Massachusetts law.
30. Modifying a Magazine
Changing a feeding device's capacity can change its legal classification.
Examples include:
- permanent capacity reduction;
- replacement magazine bodies;
- extensions;
- base plates;
- internal blocks;
- conversion components; and
- reassembly from parts.
31. Magazine Extensions
An extension that increases a feeding device beyond the applicable capacity threshold can change its classification.
The final capacity of the device should be evaluated under §121.
32. Common Misunderstandings
An LTC does not automatically authorize possession of every large-capacity feeding device.
Being unloaded does not by itself determine whether possession of the device is lawful.
Actual ammunition loaded into the device is not necessarily the same as the device's legal capacity.
Parts and combinations of parts can still require legal analysis.
Firearm legality and magazine legality are separate questions.
Massachusetts law applies while the device is possessed in Massachusetts.
33. Before Possessing a Magazine in Massachusetts
Magazine, belt, drum, strip, tubular magazine or other feeding device.
How many rounds or shotgun shells can it accept?
Determine whether a specific §121 exclusion applies.
Determine whether possession of the device is authorized.
Determine whether the September 13, 1994 provision is relevant.
Where the device is possessed can matter.
Determine whether the proposed trip is authorized and whether the device must be unloaded and locked.
The device can affect large-capacity and assault-style firearm classification.
Possession, transport, hunting, competition, repair and transfer can involve different rules.
34. GOAL Guidance
GOAL recommends analyzing feeding devices separately from the firearm itself.
For every magazine or other feeding device, determine:
- what type of device it is;
- its actual maximum capacity;
- whether it is fixed or detachable;
- whether a statutory exclusion applies;
- whether it is a large-capacity feeding device;
- whether §131M authorizes possession;
- whether the September 13, 1994 provision applies;
- where it may lawfully be possessed;
- how it may lawfully be transported;
- whether transfer or importation is permitted;
- whether it affects the firearm's large-capacity status; and
- whether it affects assault-style firearm classification.
Primary Massachusetts Sources
- M.G.L. c. 140, §121 — definitions of feeding device, large-capacity feeding device, large-capacity firearm and assault-style firearm.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §131M — large-capacity feeding-device and assault-style firearm restrictions.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §131 — License to Carry.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §131C — vehicle possession and transportation.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §129C — statutory possession exemptions.
- Mass.gov — Firearms Services
- MassWildlife — Hunting With a Firearm in Massachusetts
- 321 CMR 3.00 — Massachusetts hunting regulations.
Massachusetts feeding-device law can depend on capacity, configuration, possession history, location, transportation and the firearm with which the device is used.
Review the current controlling statutes and official guidance before possessing, transporting, importing, selling or transferring a potentially restricted feeding device.