Chapter 135 – Hunting

The following should not be taken as legal advice.

 

 

FID Card Holders:

 

• Semi-automatic Firearms: Massachusetts residents that hold an FID Card, regardless of age, are prohibited from possessing any type of semi-auto handgun, rifle or shotgun.

 

Muzzle Loaders:

 

• Ammunition: Warning - The exemption for possession of black powder ammunition was repealed in Chapter 135. There has been no explanation why and no official guidance from the Commonwealth on what this means.

 

• Modern Muzzle Loaders: Any muzzle loading firearm that does, or can take, modern ammunition components such as a shotgun primer is now considered to be a modern firearm.
• This will now require anyone in possession of this type of muzzle loader to possess an FID Card or License to Carry.
• It also requires that the firearm be registered and serialized under the new mandates.

 

• This also includes any firearm that has been, or can be, converted to a muzzle loader. Any firearm that has a frame or receiver. Any firearm that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.

 

Non-resident Hunters:

 

• Registration: Must register their firearms with the Commonwealth prior to entering the state. This includes any muzzle loaders that utilize modern components.
• Semi- Automatic Firearms: Warning - The possession of semi-automatic firearms (including rifles and shotguns) is prohibited.
• Youth Hunting: Warning - Non-residents under the age of 18 are banned from hunting in Massachusetts.

Chapter 140, Section 129C: (Nonresidents)

(i) A nonresident who is at least 18 years of age may possess rifles and shotguns that are not large capacity or semi-automatic and ammunition therefor if the nonresident has a permit, card or license issued from their state of residence which has substantially similar requirements to those of the commonwealth for a firearm identification card as determined by the colonel of the state police pursuant to subsection (l)
 (j) A nonresident who is at least 18 years of age may possess rifles and shotguns that are not large capacity or semi-automatic and ammunition therefor: (i) to hunt during hunting season with a nonresident hunting license or a hunting license or permit lawfully issued from their state of residence, which has substantially similar requirements to those in section 11 of chapter 131, as determined by the colonel of the state police pursuant to subsection (l); (ii) while on a firing or shooting range; (iii) while traveling in or through the commonwealth; provided, that the rifles and shotguns that are not large capacity or semi-automatic shall be unloaded and in a locked container pursuant to sections 131C and 131L; or (iv) while at a firearm showing or display organized by a regularly existing gun collectors’ club or association.