What Are the Gun 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 some of the strictest gun laws in the US, requiring licenses for ownership, restricting many semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines, and maintaining an approved handgun roster.
What This Means for You
If you're building firearms in Massachusetts, you need to understand that the state heavily regulates both ownership and construction. The assault weapons ban affects many common rifle configurations, and the licensing requirements apply to builders just like purchasers. You'll also face restrictions on magazine capacity and specific feature combinations that can significantly impact your build plans.
The Detail
Massachusetts operates under a licensing system where you need either a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID) to legally possess firearms. The LTC allows you to carry concealed and own large-capacity firearms, while the FID is more limited. Both require background checks, safety training, and approval from your local police chief, who has considerable discretion in the process.
The state's assault weapons ban is particularly complex for builders. It prohibits semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines that have two or more prohibited features like folding stocks, flash hiders, or pistol grips. The law also bans specific models by name and includes a broader interpretation that can affect AR-15 style rifles and similar platforms. This means many popular build configurations are simply not legal in Massachusetts.
Magazine capacity is limited to 10 rounds for most firearms, with some exceptions for pre-ban magazines. The state also maintains an approved handgun roster, meaning only certain handgun models can be legally sold or transferred. Building a handgun from an 80% receiver falls into a legal gray area that you should verify with current regulations.
The state requires safe storage of firearms and has red flag laws that allow temporary removal of firearms under certain circumstances. Additionally, Massachusetts has its own ballistics testing requirements and registration systems that differ from federal requirements. Private transfers must go through licensed dealers in most cases.
Build Impact
Before starting any build in Massachusetts, verify that your intended configuration complies with both the assault weapons ban and feature restrictions. The complex legal landscape means seemingly minor design choices can determine whether your build is legal, so consulting current state resources or legal counsel is essential.