Q: What license do I need to carry a handgun in Massachusetts? A: A License to Carry (LTC) issued under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131. The LTC is the only...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Q: What license do I need to carry a handgun in Massachusetts? A: A License to Carry (LTC) issued under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131. The LTC is the only Massachusetts license that authorizes carry of a handgun. The Firearm Identification Card (FID) under c. 140, Section 129B covers long guns and ammunition only.
Q: How old do I have to be to get an LTC? A: 21 years old for the LTC. The FID is available at 18 (or 15-17 with parental consent for the FID-Restricted variant).
Q: Where do I apply? A: To the chief of police (or police commissioner) of the city or town where you reside. Non-residents apply to the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police through the Firearms Records Bureau (FRB) under c. 140, Section 131F.
Q: How long does the LTC last? A: Six years from the date of issuance.
Q: How much does it cost? A: The state fee is $100. Local municipalities may charge additional fingerprinting or processing fees ($25-$50 typical). The Basic Firearms Safety Course runs $100-$250 separately.
Q: Do I need training to get an LTC? A: Yes. M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131P requires completion of a Basic Firearms Safety Course from a state-certified instructor. Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 added a mandatory live-fire component for first-time applicants.
Q: Am I exempt from training if I have military or law enforcement background? A: Yes, in certain categories. Active duty law enforcement officers, active duty military, and certain other categories are exempt from the safety course requirement under c. 140, Section 131P(a).
Q: Is a hunter education course a substitute? A: A Basic Hunter Education Course under M.G.L. c. 131, Section 14 is a valid substitute for an FID application but not for an LTC application.
Q: What is "suitability"? A: After Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, the licensing authority may deny an LTC only on finding the applicant unsuitable based on enumerated criteria (risk of harm to self or others, prior conduct evidencing carelessness with firearms, etc.). Post-Bruen, the prior "good reason" need-based test was removed from c. 140, Section 131.
Q: Can I appeal a denial or restriction? A: Yes. M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131(f) authorizes a de novo appeal to the District Court for the judicial district of the issuing authority. The appeal is heard by a judge, with the licensing authority defending its decision.
Q: What is a "restricted LTC"? A: A restricted LTC is one issued with written limitations on where or for what purpose the holder may carry. Common restrictions are "target & hunting only," "employment," and "sporting." Carry outside the restriction can lead to revocation and prosecution.
Q: Can I carry concealed in Massachusetts with an LTC from another state? A: No. Massachusetts does not recognize any other state's concealed carry permit. You must obtain a Massachusetts Non-Resident LTC under c. 140, Section 131F before lawfully carrying.
Q: Is open carry legal? A: An LTC authorizes both concealed and open carry of a handgun. In practice, open carry is rare in Massachusetts and may prompt police response or disturbing-the-peace charges under M.G.L. c. 269, Section 14. Most LTC holders carry concealed.
Q: Where am I prohibited from carrying? A: Many places. K-12 schools (c. 269, Section 10(j) and Section 12D), colleges, courthouses, government buildings, polling places, hospitals, airports past security, public transit, parades and demonstrations, public parks and beaches (post-Chapter-135 of 2024), establishments serving alcohol for on-premises consumption, and houses of worship absent owner consent. See the PROHIBITED_PLACES section for the full list.
Q: Do I have to tell a police officer I'm carrying? A: No statutory duty to volunteer the information, but you must produce the LTC on demand and you must not lie. Best practice is to volunteer at the start of any sustained contact. See the DUTY_TO_INFORM section.
Q: Can I carry in a vehicle? A: An LTC holder may carry a loaded handgun on the person or under direct control in a vehicle (center console, glove box). An FID holder must keep long guns unloaded and in a locked case or trunk under c. 140, Section 131C. See the VEHICLE_CARRY section.
Q: Does Massachusetts have a Castle Doctrine? A: Yes, but narrowly. M.G.L. c. 278, Section 8A eliminates the duty to retreat from an intruder only within the occupant's dwelling. Outside the dwelling, M.G.L. c. 233, Section 23F's evidentiary framework expects the defender to have availed themselves of all available means to avoid combat.
Q: Does Massachusetts have a Stand Your Ground law? A: No. Massachusetts is a duty-to-retreat state outside the home. The defender must show no reasonable alternative existed before resorting to force.
Q: Can I use deadly force in self-defense? A: Only when faced with imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury, and only with reasonable proportionate force. The duty to retreat outside the home applies. See the USE_OF_FORCE section.
Q: How do I have to store my firearm at home? A: Under c. 140, Section 131L, every firearm not under your immediate control must be in a locked container or have a tamper-resistant mechanical lock (e.g., trigger lock) attached. The home rule is the same as the vehicle storage rule.
Q: Can I leave a handgun in my car while I shop? A: Only if it is secured per c. 140, Section 131L - in a locked container affixed to the vehicle (locked glove box, trunk, or lock box) or with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock attached.
Q: Can I fly with my firearm from Logan? A: Yes, checked in a locked, hard-sided container with ammunition packed per airline policy, in compliance with TSA's air-travel-firearm rule (49 C.F.R. 1540.111). Declared at check-in.
Q: How do I renew my LTC? A: File a renewal application with the licensing authority before expiration. Most departments require the renewal at least 30-60 days in advance. The renewal fee is $100. See the RENEWAL_PROCESS section.
Q: What happens if my LTC expires? A: An expired LTC is not valid. The holder must surrender any firearms held under the license until reissuance. A late-renewal grace period may apply in limited circumstances; the safe practice is to renew on time.
Q: Do I have to notify someone if I move? A: Yes. Under c. 140, Sections 129B and 131, the holder must notify the Firearms Records Bureau and the licensing authority of the new municipality within 30 days of a change of address.
Q: How does Massachusetts law interact with federal law? A: Federal law (Gun Control Act, NFA) sets a floor; Massachusetts law generally regulates above the floor. Federal prohibitions on possession by certain categories (18 U.S.C. 922(g)) overlay state prohibitions and apply in parallel.
Q: Is my LTC valid for the Brady Permit-Holder NICS exemption? A: ATF maintains a chart of permits that satisfy the federal NICS check at the point of firearm purchase. The Massachusetts LTC's status on the chart may change; verify current status with the ATF Brady Permit Chart.
Q: Can I own a suppressor in Massachusetts? A: Effectively no. M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10A restricts suppressor possession; civilian suppressor ownership in Massachusetts is rare and requires special authorization beyond the federal NFA Form 4 approval.
Q: Can I own a machine gun? A: Effectively no for new acquisitions. Civilian machine gun possession requires both the federal NFA approval (which is limited to pre-1986 transferable units) and a Massachusetts Machine Gun License under c. 140, Section 131(o), which is rarely issued to private citizens.
Q: What about AR-15 or similar rifles? A: Many AR-15 platform rifles are restricted as "assault-style firearms" under c. 140, Section 121 as amended by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. Pre-effective-date possession may be grandfathered. New acquisitions of post-2024-prohibited configurations are unlawful.
Q: What about magazine capacity? A: M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121 defines "large-capacity feeding devices" - generally limited to 10 rounds for rifles and 5 shells for shotguns, with handgun limits tightened by Chapter 135 of 2024. Pre-September-13-1994 lawfully possessed large-capacity magazines are grandfathered.
Q: How do I buy a firearm in Massachusetts? A: From a licensed dealer with your LTC (or FID for non-large-capacity long guns). The dealer runs the NICS check and the Massachusetts state-level check.
Q: Can I buy from a private party? A: A private firearm transfer between two LTC holders must be processed through the State Police Firearms Records Bureau online portal under c. 140, Section 128A. Both parties must hold valid licenses.
Q: Can I buy out-of-state and bring the firearm to Massachusetts? A: Federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) and Section 922(b)(3)) generally requires interstate firearm transfers to go through an FFL in the buyer's state of residence. A Massachusetts resident must have the firearm shipped to a Massachusetts FFL for transfer.
| Resource | Source |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts General Laws | malegislature.gov |
| Mass. Firearms Records Bureau | mass.gov/orgs/firearms-records-bureau |
| Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 | malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2024/Chapter135 |
| Federal Gun Control Act | 18 U.S.C. 921 et seq. |
| Federal NFA | 26 U.S.C. 5841 et seq. |
This page covers one part of our Massachusetts concealed carry guide.
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