Massachusetts maintains one of the most extensive lists of weapon-type restrictions in the United States. The restrictions are layered: some pre-date...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Massachusetts maintains one of the most extensive lists of weapon-type restrictions in the United States. The restrictions are layered: some pre-date the 1998 firearms reform, some date from the 1994 federal assault weapons ban (which Massachusetts adopted independently), and many were added or rewritten by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 ("An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws"). This section covers the firearm-type, magazine, and feature restrictions; for what places carry is prohibited, see PROHIBITED_PLACES; for the LTC scope, see PERMIT_BASICS.
Massachusetts originally adopted a copy of the now-expired federal Assault Weapons Ban definition. That feature-based test enumerated specific firearms (Colt AR-15, Avtomat Kalashnikov clones, Uzi, etc.) and additional firearms meeting two-feature tests (semi-automatic centerfire rifle with a detachable magazine and at least two of: folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip, bayonet mount, flash suppressor or threaded barrel, grenade launcher).
Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 added M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121's definition of "assault-style firearm" and tightened the feature-based test. Under the post-2024 framework:
The full enumerated list and feature test are in M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121 and Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. Owners of firearms that became newly prohibited under Chapter 135 had a grandfathering window for firearms lawfully possessed before August 1, 2024.
Firearms lawfully possessed in Massachusetts before the relevant prohibition (1994 federal ban predecessor or August 1, 2024 effective date under Chapter 135) remain lawful to possess subject to registration, transfer, and storage restrictions. Specifics depend on the firearm category and the date.
M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121 defines a "large-capacity feeding device" as a fixed or detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip, or similar device capable of accepting, or that can be readily converted to accept, more than:
For handguns, the post-Chapter-135 rule reduced the capacity threshold; the operative number is in c. 140, Section 121 as amended. Pre-Chapter-135, the handgun magazine limit was effectively 10 rounds; the 2024 amendment imposed a stricter limit for non-grandfathered handgun magazines.
A large-capacity feeding device lawfully possessed in Massachusetts before September 13, 1994 is grandfathered and remains lawful to possess and transfer within Massachusetts. The transferor must be able to prove pre-1994 status. Chapter 135 of 2024 left the pre-1994 grandfathering in place but added documentation requirements for transfer.
Unlawful possession or transfer of a large-capacity feeding device is a violation under c. 269, Section 10 and related provisions, with penalty escalation depending on the firearm context. Acquisition of a non-grandfathered large-capacity feeding device after the effective date is a substantive criminal offense.
A "machine gun" under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121 is any weapon that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can readily be restored to shoot automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The federal Hughes Amendment of 1986 generally prohibits civilian transfer of machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986; civilian possession of pre-1986 transferable machine guns is permitted under federal law subject to the NFA registration requirements.
Massachusetts requires a separate Machine Gun License under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131(o) for civilian possession, in addition to the federal NFA paperwork. The Machine Gun License is rarely issued to private citizens. Without both the federal NFA approval and the state Machine Gun License, civilian machine gun possession in Massachusetts is unlawful.
Suppressors are NFA Title II items federally regulated under 26 U.S.C. 5841 et seq. and 18 U.S.C. 922(o). Civilian possession of a federally registered suppressor requires ATF Form 4 approval and the $200 federal transfer tax stamp.
Massachusetts law on civilian suppressor possession is restrictive. M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10A prohibits possession of certain devices designed to silence a firearm; the statute's interplay with federally registered suppressors has been the subject of litigation and policy debate. As a practical matter, civilian suppressor possession in Massachusetts is rare and is conducted under narrow exceptions; verify current State Police FRB guidance before any acquisition.
A short-barreled rifle is a rifle with a barrel length under 16 inches or overall length under 26 inches; a short-barreled shotgun is a shotgun with a barrel length under 18 inches or overall length under 26 inches. Both are NFA items federally requiring Form 4 approval and the $200 tax stamp.
Massachusetts adds further restrictions on SBRs and SBSs under M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10(c) and related provisions. Some configurations are categorically prohibited even with federal NFA approval.
The general "sawed-off" shotgun (any shotgun with a barrel length under 18 inches that has been altered from its original form) is treated as a short-barreled shotgun for both NFA and Massachusetts purposes. Adding a stock to a pistol to create a short-barreled rifle is the same offense.
A destructive device under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121 includes explosives, bombs, grenades, mines, and similar devices, along with any firearm with a barrel diameter over 0.5 inches with certain exceptions. Civilian possession of destructive devices is prohibited absent extremely narrow federal licensing.
AOWs are a federal NFA category capturing concealable weapons not falling within the other Title II categories (cane guns, pen guns, certain disguised firearms). Federal AOW possession requires Form 4 approval and a $5 transfer tax. Massachusetts does not provide a separate AOW license; the federal NFA approval plus the underlying state firearm rules govern.
Massachusetts does not prohibit civilian possession of soft body armor. Federal law (18 U.S.C. 931) prohibits possession of body armor by a person previously convicted of a violent felony.
Massachusetts knife law is governed primarily by M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10(b) (carrying certain dangerous weapons) and includes restrictions on automatic-opening (switchblade) knives, double-edged daggers, dirks, stilettos, sword canes, and certain other knife types. Knife law is largely outside the scope of this firearms-focused guide; consult a Massachusetts knife-law-specific resource for the current rules.
Possession of self-defense spray (oleoresin capsicum, mace) requires a Firearm Identification Card (FID) for ages 18+, and an FID-Restricted card (with parental consent) for ages 15-17. The FID-Restricted form is the only Massachusetts license that exists solely for self-defense sprays.
Possession of ammunition by a person without an LTC or FID is itself an offense under M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10(h). Ammunition can be purchased only by a licensed person from a licensed dealer; private transfer of ammunition follows similar restrictions.
Special-purpose ammunition (armor-piercing handgun ammunition, certain incendiary or explosive rounds) is restricted under federal law and Massachusetts statute. M.G.L. c. 269, Section 12F covers possession of certain armor-piercing rounds.
Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 added or tightened restrictions on:
These categories are treated as machine guns or as separate substantive offenses under the post-2024 framework. Possession penalties are severe.
Several Chapter 135 of 2024 firearm-type restrictions are being challenged in federal court under Bruen in cases including Granata v. Healey. As of early 2026, no Chapter 135 firearm-type restriction has been enjoined by the First Circuit. Verify current status before relying on a specific provision.
| Statute | Subject |
|---|---|
| M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121 | Definitions (firearm, large capacity, assault-style firearm, machine gun, destructive device) |
| M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131 | LTC scope including Machine Gun License |
| M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131M | Restrictions on assault-style firearms |
| M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10 | Unlawful possession (various subsections) |
| M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10A | Silencer / suppressor possession |
| M.G.L. c. 269, Section 11B | Possession of firearm with defaced serial number during felony |
| M.G.L. c. 269, Section 11C | Defacing serial number |
| M.G.L. c. 269, Section 12F | Armor-piercing ammunition |
| 18 U.S.C. 922(o) | Machine gun prohibition |
| 18 U.S.C. 931 | Body armor prohibition |
| 26 U.S.C. 5811 | NFA transfer tax |
| 26 U.S.C. 5845 | NFA definitions |
| Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 | 2024 reform act |
This page covers one part of our Massachusetts concealed carry guide.
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