Know Your Rights
Massachusetts Firearms Legislation
Staying current with the laws that affect your rights as a Massachusetts firearms owner
The information on this page reflects legislation as understood at the time of writing. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current regulations with a licensed attorney or the Massachusetts Attorney General's office before making any purchase.
Massachusetts Handgun Regulations — 940 CMR 16
Attorney General Reilly resurrected this legislation that was originally written into law by Harshbarger in late 1997. This regulation did not go through the House or the Senate. This regulation also conflicts with Chapter 180, the '1998 Massachusetts Gun Ban'.
Regardless of its contents, most believe it will not make the Commonwealth any safer nor will it deter crime. IT IS A HANDGUN BAN — PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
It is believed that the hidden serial number requirement has been rescinded.
Key Requirements
Serial Number Requirement
Will the installation of an internal serial number or an external serial number that can be viewed only using special equipment make the gun any safer or deter crime? We don't think criminals care where the serial number is.
10 lb. Trigger Pull
A 10-pound trigger pull requirement makes firearms harder to operate accurately and safely for law-abiding citizens, while doing nothing to deter criminal misuse.
Magazine Disconnect / Load Indicator
A load indicator is never used by a law abiding firearms owner to determine whether or not the gun is loaded. The only correct way to ensure if the gun is loaded is to check the chamber using the NRA-recommended method. The only objective of a magazine disconnect is to deter law enforcement personnel from purchasing the handgun.
Available Handguns and Regulation Information in Massachusetts
These are some of the manufacturers that are available in Massachusetts; Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Auto Ordnance, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Kimber, Kahr Arms, Walther. Many specific models offered by these manufacturers are not available The regulations that govern the sale of handguns in Massachusetts are 940 CMR 16, Chapter 140 et al. Pre-October 21, 1998 handguns are not affected by 940 CMR 16. Chapter 140 also governs the sale of rifles and shotguns based upon implemented 1994 Federal Assault Weapons ban language (even though the Federal Assault Weapons Ban was eliminated in 2004) On or about 19 July, 2016, Massachusetts started the first attack against existing compliant AR style rifles. It was banned to take a non-compliant AR and change its "prohibited features" making it into a compliant Massachusetts AR. These features included pinning the stock, changing the flash suppressor to a muzzle break, and shipping it with a 10 rd magazine. The second attack occurred on or about 7 August 2024 where the legislation passed another modification to Massachusetts firearms regulations by banning semi automatic long guns. This regulation was not voted upon by law abiding citizens in the Commonwealth but enacted by anti-gun State politicians. The regulation includes many modifications to Chapter 140 too long discuss here. Unfortunately on 3 November, 2026, an attempt to rescind it failed. Massachusetts firearms regulations are becoming more difficult to understand as time passes.
We sell according to Federal and State regulations to law abiding citizens who possess the Massachusetts License To Carry Firearms or Firearms Identification Card.
You CAN purchase a machine gun in Massachusetts, but you CANNOT purchase most semi automatic long guns as of 07 August 2024.
Have questions about what you can legally purchase in Massachusetts?
As a Massachusetts law-abiding citizen, you may call the Attorney General at 617-727-2200 to ask why certain handguns are no longer considered safe for sale in MA.
Check our website for an updated list of handguns available to our out-of-state customers.