Massachusetts Gun Laws 2025: What You Need to Know
Massachusetts has some of the most comprehensive firearms regulations in the country. Whether you're a new gun owner or renewing your License to Carry (LTC), staying updated on current laws is essential to staying compliant and protecting your rights.
This guide covers the key points of Massachusetts gun laws as of 2025.
1. License to Carry (LTC) and Firearm Identification (FID)
License to Carry (LTC)
The LTC allows you to:
- Purchase and possess handguns, rifles, and shotguns
- Carry a concealed handgun in public (subject to restrictions)
- Possess high-capacity magazines (if lawfully owned before 1994 or properly registered)
Firearms Identification Card (FID)
The FID allows you to:
- Possess non-large-capacity rifles and shotguns
- Cannot carry handguns or high-capacity firearms
🔹 You must be 21 or older for an LTC, and 18+ (or 15+ with parental consent) for an FID.
2. Safe Storage Laws
Massachusetts law requires firearms to be stored:
- In a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock (e.g., trigger lock)
- Out of reach of unauthorized users, especially children
Failure to comply can lead to criminal charges, even if no harm occurs.
3. Magazine Capacity Limits
Massachusetts defines a large-capacity feeding device as one that:
- Accepts more than 10 rounds for rifles/pistols
- Accepts more than 5 rounds for shotguns
Possession is restricted unless you owned and registered it before the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban or are exempt (e.g., law enforcement).
4. Assault Weapons Ban
Massachusetts prohibits:
- Sale, transfer, or new ownership of “assault weapons” as defined by state law
- Possession unless grandfathered in and properly registered
This includes certain AR-15 style rifles and others listed in state regulations.
5. Firearm Transportation
When transporting firearms in Massachusetts:
- Handguns must be unloaded and locked in a case
- Long guns must also be unloaded; a locking case is strongly recommended
- Ammunition should be stored separately
🚗 You cannot have a loaded firearm in your vehicle unless you have an LTC and it is under your direct control (e.g., holstered on your person).
6. Reciprocity and Travel
Massachusetts does not honor out-of-state LTC permits.
If you're traveling with firearms:
- Ensure compliance with federal law (FOPA: Firearm Owners Protection Act)
- Follow locked/unloaded transportation rules at all times
7. Red Flag Law (ERPO)
The Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law allows family or law enforcement to petition the court to remove firearms from someone deemed a danger to themselves or others.
This is a civil process—not a criminal charge—but can still affect your ability to possess firearms.
8. Penalties for Noncompliance
Violating Massachusetts gun laws can result in:
- Misdemeanors or felonies
- Fines, imprisonment, and revocation of your LTC or FID
- Permanent ineligibility to possess firearms
Stay Legal, Stay Informed
Understanding Massachusetts firearm laws is key to being a responsible gun owner. Whether you're new to firearms or a seasoned LTC holder, ongoing training and legal awareness help protect your rights and others’ safety.
✅ Need a certified safety course? Register now for our Basic Firearm Safety Course
🧠 Want to stay sharp? Attend our Refuse To Be A Victim® seminar or RSO certification course.
Thinking about getting your License to Carry (LTC) in Massachusetts? Whether you're new to firearms or just ready to take the next step in personal protection, this guide walks you through everything you need to know to apply for your LTC in 2025.
Step 1: Take a Certified Basic Firearm Safety Course
Massachusetts law requires that all LTC applicants complete a state-approved Basic Firearm Safety Course.
What’s included in the course:
- Firearm safety rules and handling
- Safe storage and transportation
- Legal responsibilities of gun ownership
- Hands-on or classroom-only options, depending on the instructor
🔗 Looking to enroll? Register here for our certified LTC course — approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and includes the NRA Home Firearm Safety curriculum.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
When applying for your LTC, you will need:
- Certificate of completion from your safety course
- A form of photo ID (usually a driver’s license)
- Proof of residence (if applying in your home city or town)
- Completed LTC application form (available at your local police department or online)
Step 3: Apply Through Your Local Police Department
Each city or town in Massachusetts handles LTC applications through its police department. Call ahead or visit their website to schedule an appointment.
Expect during your appointment:
- Application review
- Interview or questionnaire
- Fingerprinting and photograph
- Payment of the application fee ($100, valid for 6 years)
Step 4: Wait for Review and Approval
Your local licensing authority will review your application, conduct a background check, and decide whether to issue your LTC.
Processing time: Typically 4–12 weeks
You will receive: Your LTC in the mail or a notice to pick it up.
Step 5: Stay Informed and Renew on Time
Once you receive your LTC:
- Carry it with you when carrying a firearm
- Renew at least 90 days before expiration
- Notify the police department if you move
We recommend taking a refresher course every few years or joining advanced classes like our Range Safety Officer training or Refuse To Be A Victim® seminar to continue your education.
Ready to Start?
If you're ready to begin your journey as a responsible firearms owner, the first step is signing up for a certified LTC course. We offer small group and private instruction in Massachusetts, with flexible scheduling.
✅ Register Now: Seacoast Firearms Training LTC Course
📞 Questions? Call 978-225-0804
Parents' Guide To Gun Safety
Parents play a key role in developing safe practices and are responsible for their children's safety. Because isolated lessons can be quickly forgotten, repetition helps children remember safety procedures.
Parents can teach their children the Eddie Eagle program at home. Call the Eddie Eagle Program at 800-231-0752 and request a sample kit. Each kit includes a student workbook, instructor's guide, program statistics, a description of materials, an order form, and the Parents' Guide to Gun Safety brochure.
To receive a copy of the "Parents' Guide to Gun Safety" brochure, emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (800) 231-0752. You can also purchase a brochure.
The Parents' Responsibility
In a home where guns are kept, the child's safety rests squarely on the parents.
Parents who accept the responsibility to learn, practice, and teach gun safety rules will ensure their children's safety to a much greater extent. However, parental responsibility does not end when the child leaves the home.
According to federal statistics, there are guns in approximately half of all U.S. households. Even if no one in your family owns a gun, someone you know likely does. Your child could come in contact with a gun at a neighbor's house or other places outside your home.
Your child must know what to do if they encounter a firearm anywhere, and the parent must provide that training.
Talking With Your Child About Gun Safety
There is no particular age to talk with your child about gun safety. The first time they show interest in firearms, even toy pistols or rifles, is a good time to introduce the subject. Openly and honestly discussing gun safety with your child is more effective than just ordering them to "Stay out of the gun closet." Such statements may stimulate a child's curiosity to investigate further.
Explaining the rules and answering a child's questions helps remove the mystery surrounding guns. Any rules set for your child should also apply to friends visiting your home to help prevent peer pressure to show a gun.
Toy Guns vs. Real Guns
It is advisable, particularly with very young children, to discuss gun use on television versus real life. Firearms are often handled carelessly in movies and on TV. Additionally, children see TV and movie characters "killed" frequently. When a young child sees that same actor in another show, confusion may result between entertainment and real life. It may be a mistake to assume your child knows the difference between being "killed" on TV and in reality.
If your child has toy guns, use them to demonstrate safe gun handling and explain how they differ from real firearms. Even though an unsupervised child should not have access to a gun, there should be no chance they could mistake a real gun for a toy.
What Should You Teach Your Child About Gun Safety?
If you decide your child is not ready to be trained in gun handling and use, teach them to follow the NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program instructions:
- STOP!
- Don't Touch.
- Leave the Area.
- Tell an Adult.
The steps "Stop" and "Don't Touch" are the most important. To counter the natural impulse to touch a gun, impress these steps of the safety message upon your child.
In today's society, where adult supervision is not always possible, "Leave the Area" is also essential. Under some circumstances, the area may be considered a room if your child cannot physically leave the apartment or house.
"Tell an Adult" emphasizes that children should seek a trustworthy adult, neighbor, relative, or teacher if a parent or guardian is unavailable.
NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Safety is the foremost priority when handling firearms. Following the NRA's gun safety rules ensures that firearms are used responsibly and safely. These guidelines are designed to prevent accidents and promote responsible gun ownership. Whether you're a seasoned gun owner or a newcomer, adhering to these rules is crucial for your safety and those around you.
| 1. |
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. |
| |
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off, it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle (the front end of the barrel) is always pointed. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances. |
| |
|
| 2. |
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until you acquire a target and are ready to shoot. |
| |
Rest your finger on the slide above the trigger when holding a gun. Do not touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. |
| |
|
| 3. |
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. |
| |
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible. If the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s), which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone. Note: Personal protection and home defense are a "use"! |
When using or storing a gun, always follow these NRA rules:
| 4. |
Know your target and what is beyond. |
| |
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction where there are people or any other potential mishap. Think first. Shoot second. Remember that bullets can penetrate walls and trees, travel miles, and still injure people in adjoining homes miles away. |
| |
|
| 5. |
Know how to use the gun safely. |
| |
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates and read the owner's manual. Please familiarize yourself with its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action, and how to remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling. |
| |
|
| 6. |
Be sure the gun is safe to operate. |
| |
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it. |
| |
|
| 7. |
Use only the correct ammunition for your gun. |
| |
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges, or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition. |
| |
|
| 8. |
Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate. |
| |
Guns are loud, and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooters and spectators should wear shooting glasses and hearing protectors. |
| |
|
| 9. |
Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription, or other drugs before or while shooting. |
| |
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns. |
| |
|
| 10. |
Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. |
| |
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will play a major role in this decision. There are numerous gun storage devices and locking devices that attach directly to the gun available on the market. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.
Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.
|
Gun Cleaning Guide
Regular cleaning is crucial for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Proper care will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time it is used.
A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.
Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Additionally, ensure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.
A Note About Accidental/Negligent Discharges
99.99% of Accidental Discharges result from the user not adhering to the basic safety rules and are considered Negligent Discharges, not Accidental. The remaining 0.01% are due to malfunctions of the firearm, such as a broken sear or faulty safety device, which are rare. Always remember your safety rules and remember that firearms safeties are mechanical devices that CAN FAIL.
Email me for training classes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
