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1. Firearm Identification Card — FID

M.G.L. c. 140, § 129B governs Massachusetts Firearm Identification Cards.

A Massachusetts resident age 18 or older may apply for an FID if the statutory requirements are met. A person age 15–17 may also apply with parental or guardian permission. A person age 14 may submit an application, but the card cannot be issued until age 15.

Under M.G.L. c. 140, § 129B(c), an FID authorizes a holder to purchase, transfer, possess, and carry rifles and shotguns that are:

• not large-capacity; and
• not semiautomatic.

The statute provides a limited supervised range exception for other rifles and shotguns when the FID holder is under the direct supervision of an LTC holder at an incorporated shooting club or licensed shooting range.

2. License to Carry — LTC

M.G.L. c. 140, § 131 governs Massachusetts Licenses to Carry.

An LTC generally authorizes a holder to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess, and carry firearms and ammunition, subject to the restrictions contained elsewhere in Massachusetts law.

Section 131 specifically states that an LTC does not by itself authorize possession or carrying of prohibited large-capacity feeding devices or assault-style firearms except where permitted under M.G.L. c. 140, § 131M.

3. Semiautomatic Rifles and Shotguns

Massachusetts treats semiautomatic rifles and shotguns differently from manual-action rifles and shotguns.

An FID does not generally authorize possession or carrying of a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun except under the supervised range provision contained in §129B(c).

An LTC holder must separately determine whether the semiautomatic firearm is lawful under Massachusetts assault-style firearm and large-capacity laws.

4. Assault-Style Firearms

M.G.L. c. 140, § 131M restricts possession, ownership, importation, sale, and transfer of assault-style firearms.

The statute contains limited exceptions, including for certain firearms lawfully possessed in Massachusetts on August 1, 2024, provided applicable licensing, registration, and serialization conditions are met.

5. Large-Capacity Feeding Devices

M.G.L. c. 140, § 131M separately restricts large-capacity feeding devices.

The law provides limited circumstances for possession of qualifying feeding devices that were lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994, including certain possession on private property, at licensed ranges or shooting competitions, for repair, and travel to and from authorized locations.

When transported under the applicable exception, the device must be unloaded and secured in a locked container as required by Massachusetts law.

6. Registration

Massachusetts firearm registration is governed by M.G.L. c. 140, § 121B and 501 CMR 19.00.

501 CMR 19 establishes the electronic firearm registration system through the MIRCS Firearms Licensing Portal.

The regulation includes rules addressing:

• registration at import, purchase, acquisition, manufacture, or assembly;
• new residents;
• inheritance;
• privately made firearms;
• firearm transactions;
• loans;
• loss or theft.

7. Serialization

Serialization is governed by M.G.L. c. 140, § 121C and 501 CMR 20.00.

501 CMR 20 establishes the process for obtaining firearm serial numbers through DCJIS.

The regulation applies to firearms possessed, manufactured, or assembled in Massachusetts unless a statutory or regulatory exemption applies.

8. Frames and Receivers

Massachusetts' definition of “firearm” includes certain frames, receivers, and unfinished frames or receivers.

This means an item does not necessarily have to be a fully assembled, functional firearm before Massachusetts firearm laws may apply.

9. Safe Storage

M.G.L. c. 140, § 131L generally requires a firearm that is stored or kept to be:

• secured in a locked container; or
• equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device properly engaged so the firearm cannot be operated by anyone other than the owner or another lawfully authorized user.

A firearm is not considered “stored or kept” for purposes of this section when it is carried by or under the control of the owner or another lawfully authorized user.

10. Transportation

Transportation rules depend on:

• the firearm;
• license type;
• magazine capacity;
• whether the firearm is loaded;
• the location;
• the activity involved.

Massachusetts defines a firearm as “secured in a locked container” when it is in a container unlockable only by key, combination, or similar means. The statutory definition can include a locked trunk, locked console, or locked glovebox in an unoccupied vehicle.

11. Buying, Selling, Loaning, and Transferring

501 CMR 19.05 requires firearm transactions within Massachusetts, including purchases, sales, rentals, leases, loans, and other transfers, to be reported through the MIRCS portal within the applicable period.

The regulation provides an exception from transaction reporting for a loan to a duly licensed or exempted person lasting less than seven days.

12. Loss or Theft

501 CMR 19 also establishes reporting requirements when a firearm is lost or stolen.

Owners should use the current MIRCS procedure and review the regulation for the information required in the report.

13. Muzzleloaders and Antique Firearms

Do not assume every muzzleloader is legally treated as an antique firearm.

Massachusetts' definitions can distinguish traditional muzzleloading firearms from certain modern firearms that incorporate frames or receivers, were converted into muzzleloaders, or may be readily converted to use fixed ammunition.

14. GOAL Chapter 135 Guidance

Resident Gun Owner Checklist

Primary Sources

• M.G.L. c. 140, § 129B — Firearm Identification Cards.
• M.G.L. c. 140, § 131 — Licenses to Carry.
• M.G.L. c. 140, § 131L — safe storage.
• M.G.L. c. 140, § 131M — assault-style firearms and large-capacity feeding devices.
• 501 CMR 19.00 — firearm registration.
• 501 CMR 20.00 — firearm serialization.
• GOAL — Chapter 135 Breakdown
• GOAL — Assault-Style Firearms