Source: https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/ma-gun-laws/
Timestamp: 2019-05-22 23:27:32
Document Index: 586118344

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 131', '§ 12', '§ 3', '§ 129', '§ 131', '§ 13', '§ 10']

Massachusetts Gun Laws | CCW Reciprocity Map (Updated 05/01/2019)
Massachusetts Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws
Carry allowed with my Massachusetts permit?
Summary of Massachusetts Gun Laws
A Firearm Identification (FID) card or LTC is required to purchase a firearm. Background checks are required to buy a handgun from a private individual, as the seller must verify the buyer's Firearm Identification Card with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. A LTC is also required to buy ammunition.
Open and concealed carry are legal in Massachusetts for individuals who have a Massachusetts Class A unrestricted license to carry firearms (LTC-A). The minimum age is 21 years old, and LTC-As are issued to residents and non-residents. LTCs require a state-approved firearms training course. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and airports. In terms of reciprocity, Massachusetts does not honor permits from any other states.
Massachusetts is a Castle Doctrine state. Massachusetts law states that, “In the prosecution of a person who is an occupant of a dwelling charged with killing or injuring one who was unlawfully in said dwelling, it shall be a defense that the occupant was in his dwelling at the time of the offense and that he acted in the reasonable belief that the person unlawfully in said dwelling was about to inflict great bodily injury or death upon said occupant or upon another person lawfully in said dwelling, and that said occupant used reasonable means to defend himself or such other person lawfully in said dwelling." There is no duty to retreat in a person's dwelling, although there is a duty to retreat outside of one's home.
Does Massachusetts allow constitutional carry?
Is open carry permitted in Massachusetts?
Yes, for LTC-A permit holders only.
If Massachusetts requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?
What is the minimum age in Massachusetts to get a concealed carry permit?
Can you conceal carry weapons other than handguns in Massachusetts with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?
Yes. Stun guns.
Does Massachusetts issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?
Does Massachusetts allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?
Can you carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle in Massachusetts?
Yes, with a Massachusetts Class A LTC only, provided the weapon is under the license holder's direct control. For holders of Massachusetts Class B LTC's, a handgun must be unloaded and secured in a locked trunk or locked container.
[Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 131]
Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Massachusetts?
Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Massachusetts?
Yes. [302 CMR § 12.04(5) & 321 CMR § 3:01]
Can you carry a firearm in restaurants that serve alcohol in Massachusetts?
Does Massachusetts have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?
Not addressed in Massachusetts state law.
Are you required to notify a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Massachusetts?
No. [Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 106, § 129C(u)]
Does Massachusetts have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?
There is a grandfather clause for devices that were lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. Attached tubular devices designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber ammunition are exempt.
[Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 131M.]
Does Massachusetts have ammunition restrictions?
Yes. The minimum age to purchase handgun ammuntion is 21 years old and purchases must be conducted face-to-face. To purchase ammunition for a handgun, a firearm identification (FID) card holder must also obtain a permit to purchase a handgun. You must have a firearm license to purchase or possess ammunition. Any person with a license to carry is permitted to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry all types of lawful ammunition for these firearms.
Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in Massachusetts? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.
Does Massachusetts have [preemption laws](https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/firearms-and-ammunition/preemption) related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?
No. [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 43B, § 13]
Does Massachusetts have a red flag law?
Yes. An immediate family member of a person or a law enforcement officer may file a petition ordering the immediate suspension and surrender of any license to carry firearms or firearm identification card which the respondent may hold, as well as order the respondent to surrender all firearms, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, weapons or ammunition which the respondent then controls, owns or possesses.
[2018 Session Law Chapter 123]
The people have a right to keep and bear arms for the common defense. And as, in time of peace, armies are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be maintained without the consent of the legislature, and the military power shall always be held in an exact subordination to the civil authority, and be governed by it."
Massachusetts Concealed Carry Reciprocity With Other States
Which states' permits does Massachusetts honor?
Massachusetts does not honor any other states' permits.
Other States' Reciprocity With Massachusetts
Which states honor permits from Massachusetts?
States That Have Restricted Reciprocity with Massachusetts
Which states honor permits from Massachusetts with restrictions?
Wisconsin (Class A permits only)
Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien;
Be a suitable person to be issued such license, and has good reason to fear injury to his person or property, or for any other reason, including the carrying of firearms for use in sport or target practice only;
Not have been convicted or adjudicated a youthful offender or delinquent child;
Not have been committed to a hospital or institution for mental illness, alcohol or substance abuse, unless after 5 years the appliants submits an affidavit from a registered physician endorsing his or her ability to possess a firearm;
Not be subject to an order of the probate court appointing a guardian or conservator for a incapacitated person on the grounds that the applicant lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage the applicant’s affairs;
Not be subject to a temporary or emergency restraining order, or order of protection;
Not have any outstanding warrants;
Not have been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions;
Initial Permit and Renewals $100
Link to Resident LTC/FID application
All new and renewal non-resident temporary licenses to carry (LTC) firearms in Massachusetts are issued through the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS). MIRCS is a computer based application used to manage, process, and monitor firearms licensing statewide. The process is similar to that for residents, although an in-person appearance at the Firearms Records Bureau is necessary for first time applicants and then once every 6 years thereafter. Processing may take up to 90 days. You will still need to renew your LTC annually, however the application will be processed solely by mail until the next required in-person appearance. Non-resident LTCs are valid for only 1 year. Non-residents are notified by mail when firearms license applications have been processed.
First time applicants must submit a copy of a certificate showing completion of a Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Course. This course must have been taken with an instructor who is certified by the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police.
Link to Non-resident LTC application
A Class A license entitles the holder to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry:
A Class B license entitles a holder thereof to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry:
Complete and mail a copy of the Change of Address Form to all of the following:
The licensing authority that issued your firearms license;
The Chief of Police of the city or town that you moved to; and
The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
There is also a Firearms License Address Change Hotline at (617) 660-4722.
Contact your issuing authority.
Massachusetts Concealed Carry Permit Application Process
How to Apply for a Massachusetts Concealed Carry Permit
Take an approved basic firearms safety course.
Contact your local firearms licensing office for their specific requirements. You will likely need the following documents:
Firearms safety course certificate;
A form of ID;
Proof of residency, if required; and
Massachusetts is a “may-issue” state for the issuance of licenses to carry firearms, meaning that the local licensing authority has discretion in determining whether or not to issue either license type to an applicant. It may deny the application or renewal of an applicant, or suspend or revoke a license, if in the “reasonable exercise of discretion,” the licensing authority determines that the applicant or licensee is unsuitable to carry a firearm. A determination of unsuitability must be based on reliable and credible information that the individual has exhibited or engaged in behavior that he or she poses a risk to public safety.
A license to carry entitles the possessor to purchase, possess, rent, borrow, lease and carry all types of lawful firearms, including handguns and large capacity firearms, and feeding devices and ammunition for these firearms.
Firearms Training Requirements in Massachusetts
Persons applying for an FID or LTC must successfully complete a basic firearms safety course. A course used as a prerequisite for an FID shall use rifles and/or shotguns as the primary subject matter of the curriculum. A course used as a prerequisite for an LTC shall use pistols and/or revolvers as the primary subject matter of the curriculum. Course curriculums that do not contain a firearms-related law component can meet Department of State Police curriculum criteria by utilizing guest speakers familiar with firearms laws or by utilizing or distributing to its students written informational pamphlets/books/videos by an entity/individual familiar with firearms laws to cover that portion of the course.
Massachusetts Concealed Carry Permit Renewal Process
How to Renew a Massachusetts Concealed Carry Permit
You must renew your resident firearms license to carry or firearms identification card through your local police department in the town where you reside. You must submit your renewal application prior to the expiration date of your current license.
Non-resident firearms licenses expire 1 year from the issue date. Resident alien permits expire on December 31st in the year of application. Non-resident licenses to carry firearms or resident alien permits must be renewed annually through the Firearms Records Bureau. There is no grace period for non-resident firearms licenses or resident alien permits.
A complete resident firearms license application, non-resident firearms license application or resident alien permit application;
The required application fee;
Residents must mail the complete renewal package to your local licensing authority.
Non-Residents and Resident Aliens must mail the complete renewal package to the Firearms Records Bureau at:
You will be notified within 60 days (90 days for Non-Residents and Resident Aliens) when your firearms license application has been processed, either by telephone or by mail. You may need to pick up your firearms license in person.
515 CMR 6:00 establishes rules and regulations governing the certification of qualified retired law enforcement officers and instructors for the purpose of complying with LEOSA qualification standards and instructor certification. 501 CMR 13:00 establishes the standards for ID cards for RLEOs. Any LEOSA instructor certified by the Massachusetts Department of State Police may conduct the annual certification.
Massachusetts Location Restrictions
Where Can I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Massachusetts?
Where Can't I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Massachusetts?
Elementary or secondary school, college or university;
FAQ: Massachusetts Concealed Carry Questions
Do firearms need to be registered in Massachusetts?
No. However, transfers of firearms ownership are required to be recorded with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).
Is a permit required to purchase a gun in Massachusetts?
Yes. A Firearm Identification (FID) card or License to Carry (LTC) is required.
Are background checks required for private gun sales in Massachusetts?
Yes. The seller must verify the buyer's FID with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
Is there a waiting period after purchasing a firearm in Massachusetts?
No. However, an FID or LTC is required in order to make a purchase, and these may take up to 60 days to process.
What are the knife laws in Massachusetts?
Stilettos, daggers, dirks, double-edged knives, ballistic knives, knives with knuckles and automatic knives are forbidden from carry unless you have a Class A LTC. There are no limits to what types of knives you can own.
What are the laws regarding carrying a firearm while using alcohol or prescription medication in MA?
Not while under the influence, per Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 10H.
Related Information & Links for Massachusetts Gun Laws
Government of Massachusetts Firearms License Application website
Government of Massachusetts Firearms Services website
Massachusetts Gun Laws Updates:
Stun guns added in At A Glance table as a permitted weapon
Added initial CCW law and reciprocity information for Massachusetts