Massachusetts now requires firearms possessed, manufactured, or assembled in the Commonwealth to be registered unless an applicable exemption applies.
Registration and serialization are two different legal requirements.
The statewide firearm registration deadline is October 28, 2026.
Do I Have to Register My Firearm?
Massachusetts Firearm Registration Navigator
Answer the questions below for a starting-point explanation of Massachusetts firearm registration requirements.
1. General Registration Requirement
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 121B establishes the Commonwealth's electronic firearm registration system.
The statute provides that:
Registration is completed electronically through the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System, commonly referred to as the MIRCS Unified Gun Portal.
2. October 28, 2026 Registration Deadline
The Commonwealth's current guidance states that the new firearm registration system becomes effective on October 28, 2026.
GOAL is likewise advising firearm owners that October 28, 2026 is the firearm registration deadline.
3. Firearms Previously Registered
The Commonwealth currently advises that transactions previously recorded through the Massachusetts firearm transaction system do not have to be entered again into the new system.
Examples can include firearms for which you have a prior:
- FA-10 transaction record;
- Massachusetts dealer transaction;
- personal firearm transfer record; or
- previous Massachusetts firearm registration.
4. New Residents
Under M.G.L. c. 140, §121B and 501 CMR 19.04, a firearm imported into Massachusetts by a new resident must generally be registered within:
New residents should separately determine:
- whether they are properly licensed to possess the firearm;
- whether the firearm itself is lawful in Massachusetts;
- whether any magazine is lawful;
- whether serialization requirements apply; and
- whether the firearm qualifies as an assault-style firearm.
5. Firearms Purchased from a Massachusetts Dealer
Current Massachusetts guidance states that when you purchase a firearm from a Massachusetts licensed firearm dealer, the dealer reports the transaction.
M.G.L. c. 140, §128A requires qualifying firearm purchases, sales, and transfers to be conducted through the electronic firearm registration system.
6. Private Sales and Transfers
M.G.L. c. 140, §121B and 501 CMR 19.05 require firearm transactions occurring within Massachusetts to be reported through the electronic firearm registration system.
Transactions include:
- sales;
- purchases;
- rentals;
- leases;
- loans; and
- other transfers.
The regulation provides that a report is not required for a loan to a properly licensed or exempt person lasting less than seven days.
7. Firearms Obtained Outside Massachusetts
M.G.L. c. 140, §128B requires a Massachusetts resident who purchases or obtains a firearm from a source other than specified Massachusetts licensees or authorized sellers to comply with the registration requirements in §121B and serialization requirements in §121C.
Registration does not legalize a firearm that is otherwise prohibited under Massachusetts law.
8. Inherited Firearms
Under M.G.L. c. 140, §121B and 501 CMR 19.04, a firearm acquired by an heir or devisee through distribution of an estate may generally be registered within:
The recipient must still determine whether they may lawfully possess the firearm and whether any separate licensing, serialization, assault-style firearm, or magazine rules apply.
9. Privately Made Firearms
A firearm manufactured or assembled as a privately made firearm must generally be registered within:
This requirement appears in M.G.L. c. 140, §121B and 501 CMR 19.04.
Serialization is a separate issue. Before manufacturing or assembling a privately made firearm, review M.G.L. c. 140, §121C and 501 CMR 20.00.
10. Frames and Receivers
This means the registration law is not limited to completed, functional firearms.
GOAL's current registration guidance specifically warns firearm owners that the new definition of firearm includes:
- frames;
- receivers; and
- unfinished frames or receivers.
11. Antique Firearms
Massachusetts' statutory definition of "firearm" generally excludes an item that qualifies as an "antique firearm."
However, Massachusetts uses a specific statutory definition of antique firearm.
The definition contains limitations involving:
- firearms incorporating modern firearm frames or receivers;
- firearms converted into muzzleloaders; and
- certain muzzleloaders readily convertible to fire fixed ammunition.
Review the definition in M.G.L. c. 140, §121 and GOAL's muzzleloader guidance before relying on the antique-firearm exclusion.
12. Registration Does Not Make a Firearm Legal
GOAL specifically warns firearm owners that successfully entering a firearm into the registration system does not establish that the firearm is lawful to possess.
You must separately review:
- firearm licensing;
- assault-style firearm restrictions;
- semiautomatic firearm restrictions;
- large-capacity firearm restrictions;
- feeding-device restrictions;
- serialization; and
- other possession restrictions.
13. Registration vs. Serialization
| Registration | Serialization |
|---|---|
| Governed primarily by M.G.L. c. 140, §121B | Governed primarily by M.G.L. c. 140, §121C |
| Regulations: 501 CMR 19.00 | Regulations: 501 CMR 20.00 |
| Records the firearm and registrant in the Commonwealth's electronic firearm registration system. | Addresses required identification or serial numbers on firearms. |
| General implementation deadline: October 28, 2026 | Separate serialization deadlines and requirements apply. |
14. Lost or Stolen Firearms
501 CMR 19.06 requires a firearm owner to report the loss or theft of a firearm through the MIRCS portal within:
Massachusetts also requires notification of the appropriate licensing or law-enforcement authority as required by law.
15. What Information Is Required?
501 CMR 19.03 identifies information required to complete a firearm registration.
This can include:
- the registrant's identifying and contact information;
- firearm license, card, permit, or exemption information;
- firearm type;
- date acquired, if known;
- source from which the firearm was obtained, if known;
- whether the firearm is privately made; and
- a certification concerning lawful licensing or exemption and possession.
16. GOAL Registration Guidance
GOAL maintains a dedicated registration and serialization resource addressing:
- registration deadlines;
- existing firearms;
- previously reported firearms;
- frames and receivers;
- unfinished frames and receivers;
- privately made firearms;
- serialization;
- antique firearms;
- state guidance; and
- questions concerning implementation of Chapter 135.
Firearm Registration Checklist
Check whether the firearm already has a Massachusetts transaction or registration record.
Complete firearm, frame, receiver, unfinished receiver, muzzleloader, or antique.
Dealer purchase, private transfer, inheritance, out-of-state acquisition, or personal manufacture.
Existing firearm, new resident, inheritance, transaction, or privately made firearm.
Determine whether the firearm already has a valid serial number and whether §121C applies.
Registration itself does not determine whether the firearm may lawfully be possessed.
Complete required registrations and transaction reports through the Commonwealth's electronic system.
Retain confirmation of registration or transaction reporting for your records.
Primary Sources
- M.G.L. c. 140, §121B — Massachusetts firearm registration system.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §128A — firearm sales and transfers.
- M.G.L. c. 140, §128B — firearms obtained from other sources.
- 501 CMR 19.00 — firearm registration regulations.
- 501 CMR 20.00 — separate firearm serialization regulations.
- Massachusetts Firearm Licensing and Transaction FAQ
- EOPSS Chapter 135 Guidance #5 — September 18, 2026.
- GOAL — Registration & Serialization
- GOAL — Registration Deadline Information
- GOAL — Chapter 135 Information
Massachusetts firearm statutes, regulations, agency guidance, and electronic registration procedures can change. Check current Commonwealth and GOAL information before relying on this page.