Massachusetts Firearm & Hunting Law Resource Center
Massachusetts firearm and hunting laws have become increasingly complex and can vary based on residency, age, license type, firearm type, and activity. GOAL created this Resource Center to help gun owners, hunters, and visitors better understand the laws and regulations that may apply to them.
Use the guides below to find plain-language information, relevant Massachusetts statutes and regulations, official state guidance, and GOAL analysis on licensing, possession, hunting, registration, transportation, and other important topics.
Know the law. Understand your rights. Stay informed.
MA Resident Gun Owners
Massachusetts firearm law changed substantially under Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. Your rights and restrictions can depend on your age, firearm license, firearm type, magazine capacity, registration status, serialization status, transportation method, storage method, and activity. Do not assume that an LTC or FID resolves every firearm-law question.
Non-Resident Gun Owners
Massachusetts does not recognize firearms licenses issued by other states. Limited exemptions exist for certain nonresidents, but they depend on your age, firearm type, activity, transportation method, and other factors. Do not assume that because you can lawfully possess a firearm in your home state you can lawfully possess it in Massachusetts.
Hunting - Know Before You Go
Important: A Massachusetts hunting license and a Massachusetts firearms license are different things. The firearm you may lawfully possess, carry or transport can depend on your age, residency, license status, firearm type, magazine capacity, and activity. Hunting seasons and lawful hunting implements also vary by species.
Firearm Registration
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.
Firearm Serialization
Massachusetts requires firearms to bear a qualifying serial number unless an applicable statutory or regulatory exemption applies.
Serialization and registration are separate legal requirements.
Assault Style Firearms
Massachusetts has some of the most restrictive and complex laws on certain types of semi-automatic firearms now known as "Assault Style Firearms".
Storage & Transportation
Massachusetts laws have some very complex laws on the storage and transportation of firearms.