Registration & Serialization Systems Coming Here is What You Need to Know

GOAL has been made aware that the Massachusetts web-based systems for registration and serialization mandates should be online sometime in October 2025. When the systems come online, that will set the compliance timeline in motion.

The critical timeline under Chapter 135 Sections 157 & 158 is that both registration & serialization compliance is mandated one year after the systems have been established and activated. 


Registration


This includes frames, receivers, and unfinished frames or receivers.

 

WARNING: This system, just like the current system, will allow you to register firearms that you cannot legally possess in Massachusetts.

 

Chapter 140, Section 121B: “All firearms possessed, manufactured or assembled in the commonwealth shall be registered in accordance with this section.”

  • One year after the online registration system is available, all firearm registrations shall be completed at the time of firearm import, purchase, acquisition, manufacture or assembly according to the following timelines:
  • New residents have 60 days to register their firearms with the Commonwealth.
  • Retailers, gunsmiths, distributors or manufacturers have 7 days to register inventory once the firearms have been acquired.
  • An heir or “devisee” through the distribution of an estate has 60 days to comply.
  • If a firearm is manufactured or assembled as a privately made firearm it must be registered within 7 days.

 

  • It is very important to note the new definition of “Firearm” now includes
  • Frames or receivers
  • Unfinished frames or receivers. (See definition below)


Non-residents

  • All non-residents must register their firearm/s prior to entering the state for hunting, competition, carrying, or any use other than traveling through.


Commentary:

  • There are many questions as to whether the current MIRCs system will be used to fulfill these mandates. There has been no official word from the state on this matter. It is unclear how non-residents will comply or even be warned.


Serialization


This includes frames, receivers, and unfinished frames or receivers.

 

Chapter 140, Section 121C: All firearms shall have a serial number in accordance with the requirements of this section within one year after the online serialization system is available:


Serial Number Standards:

  • Shall be conspicuously engraved, cast or otherwise permanently embedded.
  • Have a unique serial number on the frame or receiver.
  • Shall be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered or removed.
  • Shall be engraved, cast or otherwise permanently embedded to a depth of not less than .003 inches.
  • The print size not less than 1/16 inch.
  • If the firearm (including frames and receivers) are made from non-metallic materials, they are required to have a metal plate permanently embedded.


Compliance timelines once initiated:

  • New residents moving into the Commonwealth have 7 days to comply.
  • Firearms acquired by heirs or "devisees" through distribution of an estate have 60 days to comply.
  • Retailers, gunsmiths, distributors or manufacturers must comply within 7 days of import or acquisition.


Exemptions for serialization:

  • Being delivered to law enforcement for the sole purpose of their destruction.
  • Possessed by common carriers and their employees and agents while performing the regular and ordinary transport of firearms.
  • Firearms possessed by individuals lawfully traveling through the Commonwealth in the care and custody of a nonresident owner. Must be stored in accordance with sections 131C and 131L.
  • That are the property of the government of the United States.
  • Produced by federally licensed manufacturers not for sale in the Commonwealth.
  • Manufactured prior to October 22, 1968.


Serial Number Requests:

  • The state is to establish the serial number request system.


Definitions & References:



  • Chapter 135, Section 157. … all firearms shall be registered in accordance with this act and not later than 1 year after said electronic firearms registration system is completed and publicly available.


  • Chapter 135, Section 158. … that all firearms shall be serialized in accordance with this act and not later than 1 year after said serial number request system is completed and publicly available.

 

“Firearm”, a stun gun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, large capacity firearm, assault-style firearm and machine gun, loaded or unloaded, which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a shot or bullet; the frame or receiver of any such firearm or the unfinished frame or receiver of any such firearm; provided, however, that “firearm” shall not include any antique firearm or permanently inoperable firearm.



“Serialization”, the process of conspicuously engraving, casting or otherwise permanently embedding a unique serial number on a firearm frame or receiver; provided, that the serial number shall be placed in a manner not susceptible to being readily obliterated, altered or removed and shall be engraved, cast or otherwise permanently embedded to a depth of not less than .003 inches and in a print size not less than 1/16 inch; and provided further, that serialization of firearms, frames and receivers made from non-metallic materials shall be accomplished by using a metal plate permanently embedded in the material of the frame or receiver.


“Unfinished frame or receiver”, a forging, casting, printing, extrusion, machined body or similar item that: (i) has reached a stage in manufacture when it may readily be completed or assembled to function as a frame or receiver; or (ii) is marketed or sold to the public to become or be used as the frame or receiver of a functional firearm once completed or assembled; provided, however, that “unfinished frame or receiver” shall not include a component designed and intended for use in an antique firearm.

“Untraceable firearm”, a firearm that has not been serialized or a firearm whose serial or other identification number has been removed, defaced, altered, obliterated or mutilated in any manner.