What Are the Assault Weapon Laws in Massachusetts?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Massachusetts has strict assault weapon laws that ban specific firearms by name and features. The state maintains its own list of prohibited weapons beyond federal restrictions.
What This Means for You
Massachusetts assault weapon laws significantly limit what you can legally build or own in the state. The restrictions go beyond federal law and include both specific firearm models listed by name and feature-based restrictions that can affect AR-15 builds and other semi-automatic firearms.
The Detail
Massachusetts defines assault weapons through both a list of specifically banned firearms and feature-based criteria for semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns. The state's assault weapon ban includes many popular semi-automatic rifles and their variants, with restrictions that have evolved over time through both legislation and enforcement guidance.
The feature-based restrictions typically focus on combinations of characteristics like detachable magazines paired with specific features such as pistol grips, folding stocks, flash suppressors, or bayonet lugs on rifles. For pistols, the restrictions often involve magazine capacity combined with features like threaded barrels or magazine wells outside the pistol grip.
Massachuseca's enforcement of these laws has included interpretations that affect common firearm modifications and accessories. The state has issued guidance that can impact how existing federal regulations are applied at the state level, sometimes creating stricter standards than what federal law requires.
Compliance requires careful attention to both the specific banned firearm lists and the feature combinations that trigger the assault weapon definition. The laws can affect not just complete firearms but also the assembly of firearms from parts, making it crucial to understand how Massachusetts interprets these restrictions for builders and owners.
Build Impact
These laws severely restrict AR-15 builds and similar projects in Massachusetts, requiring careful research into compliant configurations. You'll need to verify current state guidance and potentially work with local dealers familiar with Massachusetts compliance before starting any build project.