Feeding Devices

MASSACHUSETTS FEEDING DEVICE / MAGAZINE LAWS

Massachusetts separately regulates firearm feeding devices, including magazines, belts, drums, feed strips, and similar devices.

Magazine legality must be analyzed separately from firearm legality.

A firearm may be lawful to possess while a particular feeding device for that firearm is restricted.

What Rules Apply to My Magazine or Feeding Device?

Massachusetts Feeding Device Navigator

Answer the following questions for a starting-point explanation.

1. What type of device is it? 2. What is its capacity? 3. Does it fall within one of these possible exclusions? 4. If it is large-capacity, when was it lawfully possessed? 5. What are you doing with it? 6. Is the feeding device loaded?

1. What Is a Feeding Device?

M.G.L. c. 140, §121 defines a "feeding device" as any:

magazine;
belt;
strip;
drum; or
similar device

that holds ammunition for a firearm, whether the device is fixed or detachable.

2. What Is a Large-Capacity Feeding Device?

LARGE-CAPACITY FEEDING DEVICE

Massachusetts generally defines a large-capacity feeding device as a fixed or detachable magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that:

can accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition; or
can accept more than 5 shotgun shells.

The definition also includes a device that can be readily converted to accept more than those amounts.

Parts can matter too. The definition can include a part or combination 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.

3. Statutory Exclusions

The Massachusetts definition excludes several specific categories.

Permanently Modified Device

A device permanently altered so it cannot hold more than 10 rounds or more than 5 shotgun shells.

.22 Rimfire Tubular Device

An attached tubular device designed to accept and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

Lever-Action Tubular Magazine

A tubular magazine contained in a lever-action firearm.

Pump-Shotgun Tubular Magazine

A tubular magazine contained in a pump shotgun.

4. General Prohibition

M.G.L. c. 140, §131M generally provides that no person may:

possess;
own;
offer for sale;
sell;
otherwise transfer; or
import into Massachusetts

a large-capacity feeding device, unless a statutory exception applies.

An LTC does not by itself make a large-capacity feeding device lawful.

5. September 13, 1994 Is the Critical Date

SEPTEMBER 13, 1994

Section 131M contains a limited exception for large-capacity feeding devices that were lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994.

A device acquired after that date should not be assumed to qualify for the grandfathered possession exception merely because it was manufactured before that date.

6. Where Can a Qualifying Grandfathered Device Be Possessed?

Under §131M(c), a qualifying large-capacity feeding device lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994 may be possessed only in certain circumstances.

Your Private Property

Private property owned or legally controlled by the person possessing the device.

Another Person's Private Property

Private property not open to the public, with express permission of the owner or authorized agent.

Dealer or Gunsmith

While on the premises of a licensed firearm dealer or gunsmith for lawful repair.

Licensed Firing Range

Shooting Competition

At a sports shooting competition venue.

Travel

While traveling to and from the locations authorized by §131M.

7. Transportation

Qualifying large-capacity feeding devices must be UNLOADED and SECURED IN A LOCKED CONTAINER when transported under the §131M travel exception.

Section 131M expressly references the locked-container requirements in M.G.L. c. 140, §§131C and 131L.

Do not leave a qualifying large-capacity feeding device loose, loaded, or readily accessible in a vehicle when relying on the §131M travel provision.

8. Carrying on a Public Way

DO NOT ASSUME A MASSACHUSETTS LTC AUTHORIZES CARRY OF A LARGE-CAPACITY FEEDING DEVICE ON A PUBLIC WAY.

Section 131M restricts where a qualifying grandfathered device may be possessed.

The statutory list includes private property, repair premises, licensed ranges, competition venues, and travel to and from those locations.

GOAL Warning: GOAL currently warns that there is no general exception allowing an LTC holder to carry a grandfathered large-capacity feeding device on a public way or simply keep one loose or accessible in a vehicle. GOAL advises that a qualifying device being transported under §131M should be unloaded and secured in a locked container.

9. Large-Capacity Firearm vs. Large-Capacity Feeding Device

These are two different legal definitions.

Large-Capacity Firearm	Large-Capacity Feeding Device
A classification applied to certain firearms.	A magazine, drum, belt, feed strip, or similar ammunition-holding device.
Defined separately in M.G.L. c. 140, §121.	Defined separately in M.G.L. c. 140, §121.
Can depend on firearm action and compatibility with large-capacity feeding devices.	Generally depends on capacity or convertibility beyond 10 rounds or 5 shotgun shells.
Is a secondary designation applied to a firearm.	Is a separate regulated item.

10. Semiautomatic Firearms

Feeding-device capacity can affect the classification of a semiautomatic firearm.

Under §121, a semiautomatic firearm can be classified as a large-capacity firearm when 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 their control in a vehicle.

Possessing a firearm and a compatible large-capacity feeding device together can affect the legal classification of the firearm itself.

11. Assault-Style Firearms

Feeding devices can also matter when determining whether a firearm is an assault-style firearm.

Examples include:

a semiautomatic centerfire rifle capable of accepting a detachable feeding device;
a semiautomatic pistol capable of accepting a detachable feeding device; and
a semiautomatic shotgun capable of accepting a detachable feeding device.

Those firearms must then be analyzed under the separate assault-style firearm feature tests and other statutory provisions.

12. Fixed Magazines

The large-capacity feeding-device definition applies to fixed as well as detachable feeding devices.

Do not assume that a magazine is exempt merely because it cannot be easily removed from the firearm.

13. Magazine Parts and Components

The statutory definition can reach:

Any part or combination of parts from which a large-capacity feeding device can be assembled, if those parts are in the possession or control of the same person.

This makes magazine-component possession an important issue.

Do not assume that a disassembled magazine or a collection of magazine parts is automatically outside the Massachusetts definition.

14. Permanently Altered Magazines

A device permanently altered so it cannot accommodate more than:

10 rounds of ammunition; or
5 shotgun shells

is excluded from the statutory large-capacity feeding-device definition.

The law uses the word "permanently." A temporary limiter or easily reversible modification should not automatically be treated as satisfying this exclusion.

15. Tubular .22 Rimfire Devices

The definition excludes an:

attached tubular device designed to accept and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

Review the exact firearm and feeding-device configuration before relying on the exclusion.

16. Lever Actions and Pump Shotguns

Section 121 also excludes:

a tubular magazine contained in a lever-action firearm; and
a tubular magazine on a pump shotgun.

This is a feeding-device definition exclusion. Other firearm laws can still apply to the firearm.

17. Transfers

Section 131M severely limits transfer of qualifying grandfathered large-capacity feeding devices.

A person authorized to possess a qualifying device may transfer it only to:

an heir or devisee;
a person residing outside Massachusetts; or
a licensed dealer.

Do not assume an ordinary private in-state transfer of a qualifying large-capacity feeding device is lawful.

18. Inheritance

Section 131M specifically allows a qualifying person to transfer a grandfathered large-capacity feeding device to an heir or devisee.

The recipient should separately confirm:

whether the device qualifies under §131M;
where it may lawfully be possessed;
how it may be transported; and
whether any other licensing or possession restrictions apply.

19. Buying or Importing a Large-Capacity Device

Section 131M generally prohibits importing a large-capacity feeding device into Massachusetts and prohibits offering one for sale, selling it, or otherwise transferring it, subject to statutory exceptions.

Do not rely on an LTC as independent authority to purchase or import one.

20. Hunting

Hunting rules and feeding-device laws operate separately.

A magazine that complies with a species-specific hunting capacity rule may still be subject to Massachusetts firearm-law restrictions, and a device that is lawful under firearm law may still exceed a hunting-specific ammunition-capacity limit.

Use GOAL's separate Massachusetts Hunting Law Guide to determine the applicable species and season rules.

21. Nonresidents

A feeding device lawful in another state is not automatically lawful to possess in Massachusetts.

Nonresidents should separately review:

§129C exemptions;
§131F licensing;
§131M feeding-device restrictions;
transportation rules; and
the firearm with which the device is associated.

22. GOAL Guidance

GOAL INFORMATION

GOAL emphasizes that Chapter 135 substantially changed the treatment of large-capacity feeding devices. GOAL currently warns firearm owners that qualifying grandfathered devices are no longer generally portable simply because the owner holds an LTC.

GOAL recommends separately analyzing:

capacity;
September 13, 1994 possession status;
where the device is being possessed;
whether it is loaded;
transportation and locked-container requirements;
transfer restrictions;
the firearm associated with the device; and
whether the firearm becomes large-capacity or assault-style.

Feeding Device Checklist

1. Identify the Device

Magazine, drum, belt, feed strip, tube, or parts.

2. Determine Capacity

More than 10 rounds or more than 5 shotgun shells?

3. Check an Exclusion

Permanent modification, .22 tubular, lever-action, or pump-shotgun tube.

4. Determine the 1994 Status

Was the large-capacity feeding device lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994?

5. Check the Location

Private property, range, competition, repair, or authorized travel.

6. Transport Correctly

Qualifying devices transported under §131M must be unloaded and secured in a locked container.

7. Check the Firearm

A compatible device can affect whether the firearm is considered large-capacity.

8. Check Assault-Style Status

Detachable feeding-device capability can be part of the assault-style firearm analysis.

9. Check Transfer Rules

Transfers of qualifying grandfathered devices are narrowly limited.

10. Check GOAL Updates

Review current GOAL guidance before carrying, transporting, transferring, or acquiring a feeding device.

Primary Sources

M.G.L. c. 140, §121 — definitions of feeding device, large-capacity feeding device, and large-capacity firearm.
M.G.L. c. 140, §131M — possession, ownership, transfer, importation, grandfathering, authorized locations, and transportation.
M.G.L. c. 140, §131C — vehicle transportation requirements.
M.G.L. c. 140, §131L — firearm storage and locked-container requirements.
GOAL — Chapter 135 Definitions
GOAL — Large-Capacity Feeding Device Carry Warning
GOAL — Chapter 135 Resource Center

Last reviewed: September 23, 2026.

Massachusetts feeding-device laws interact with firearm classification, assault-style firearm restrictions, transportation, hunting, licensing, and nonresident laws.

Verify current statutes and GOAL guidance before possessing, carrying, transporting, transferring, importing, or acquiring a large-capacity feeding device.