Massachusetts concealed carry laws and reciprocity

Section 45 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 struck and replaced M.G.L. c.140 s.129C, and the current text (subsections (a) through (m)) no longer contains the former clause requiring a person to exhibit a license to carry on demand of a police officer, although the section heading still refers to it. Neither c.140 s.131 nor c.269 s.10 imposes a duty to tell an officer about a firearm or to show the license on request.

A loaded firearm may be carried in a vehicle only under a license or statutory exemption, and it must be under the carrier's direct control. A nonresident lawfully traveling through may carry a firearm on their person while in the vehicle, and it must stay in the vehicle and be stored under s.131C when not under direct control.

Possessing a firearm outside one's residence or place of business, or having one under control in a vehicle, requires a Massachusetts LTC (s.131 or s.131F) or a statutory exemption.

The local licensing authority 'shall issue' an LTC to a resident 21 or older unless the applicant is a prohibited person or is found unsuitable. Unsuitability must rest on reliable, articulable and credible information that the applicant may pose a risk, and initial applicants have a personal interview.

The Colonel of State Police issues a Temporary License to Carry to nonresidents who are not prohibited persons and are not found unsuitable. It is valid for one year and cannot be used to purchase firearms in Massachusetts.

An LTC entitles the holder to carry firearms, and the statutes do not distinguish open from concealed carry. Carrying a firearm outside one's residence or business without an LTC or exemption is a crime.

No section of M.G.L. c.269 (ss.10 through 10K) or c.140 gives legal effect to a posted no-firearms sign, so the value rests on the absence of such a provision. Under the general trespass statute, c.266 s.120, a person who enters or remains on another's premises after being forbidden to do so, directly or by a notice posted on the premises, commits criminal trespass.

Establishments serving alcohol are not among the statutory prohibited areas in c.269 s.10. However, an LTC holder may not carry a loaded firearm with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more or while under the influence.

Not yet verified from an official source.

Places of worship are not among the statutory prohibited areas in c.269 s.10(j)-(k). An LTC is still required to carry.

Carrying a firearm, loaded or unloaded, in any building or on the grounds of a college or university is a crime notwithstanding any license. The exception is written authorization from the board or officer in charge.

Carry is barred, notwithstanding any license, in buildings and on grounds of elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities, and on student transport, without written authorization. Also barred are government administration, court, and correctional sites (buildings, grounds, parking) and polling or early-voting sites while open, plus 150 feet of their entrance. A firearm securely stored in a vehicle per s.131C is a defense in the latter areas.

Not yet verified from an official source.

Possessing, owning, selling, transferring, or importing a large capacity feeding device (more than 10 rounds, or more than 5 shotgun shells) is prohibited. Devices lawfully possessed on Sept. 13, 1994 are allowed only in limited places, such as one's own property or a range, and in locked transit.

Possessing, owning, selling, transferring, or importing an assault-style firearm is prohibited. The exception is a firearm lawfully possessed on Aug. 1, 2024 by an LTC holder or licensed dealer that is registered and serialized.

Possessing, using, or selling a firearm silencer is a felony. Exceptions cover federally licensed manufacturers, certain police training agents, and authorized law enforcement acting within official duties.

Massachusetts statutes do not define or prohibit short-barreled rifles: c.269 s.10(c) bans only machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, automatic parts, bump stocks, rapid-fire trigger activators and trigger modifiers as defined in c.140 s.121, which defines 'rifle' (barrel of 16 inches or more) and 'sawed-off shotgun' but has no short-barreled rifle category. The value rests on the absence of a state prohibition; the general licensing requirements of c.140 and the c.140 s.131M assault-style firearm ban still apply to any such firearm, and federal NFA registration is governed separately.

Owning, possessing, or carrying a sawed-off shotgun is a felony. This means a shotgun modified to have a barrel under 18 inches or an overall length under 26 inches.