Navigating Massachusetts’s gun laws is essential for responsible gun owners and enthusiasts. This 2025 guide covers ghost guns, 80% lowers, concealed carry, magazine limits, and more, ensuring you stay compliant and informed in Massachusetts. For related resources, check out our detailed breakdown of ghost gun laws, 80% lowers, and more.
Summary and Gun-Friendliness Rating for Massachusetts
Summary: Massachusetts imposes stringent gun laws, with an assault weapons ban, a 10-round magazine limit, may-issue concealed carry, red flag laws, strict safe storage rules, and universal background checks.
Gun-Friendliness Rating:
13% – 0 = Strictest gun laws, 100 = Most gun-friendly
Assault Weapons Ban in Massachusetts
Massachusetts enforces a ban on certain firearms defined as assault weapons. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Magazine Capacity Limits in Massachusetts
Massachusetts restricts firearm magazines to a maximum capacity of 10 rounds. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Ghost Gun Laws in Massachusetts
Massachusetts regulates ghost guns, typically requiring serialization and background checks for frames and receivers. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Concealed Carry in Massachusetts
- Permit Type:
- May-issue (Giffords Law Center)
- Description:
- Massachusetts is a may-issue state, where authorities have discretion in issuing concealed carry permits.
Waiting Period in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not mandate a waiting period between the purchase and delivery of firearms. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Red Flag Laws in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has enacted red flag laws, allowing temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a danger. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Safe Storage Requirements in Massachusetts
Requirement Level: Strict (Source: Giffords Law Center)
Description: Massachusetts enforces strict safe storage laws, requiring firearms to be securely stored to prevent unauthorized access.
Background Checks in Massachusetts
Massachusetts mandates universal background checks for nearly all firearm sales, including private transfers. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Open Carry in Massachusetts
Open carry of firearms is generally allowed in Massachusetts, potentially subject to local restrictions or permit requirements in certain areas. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Types of Guns Regulated in Massachusetts
In addition to assault weapons, Massachusetts may regulate other specific types of firearms. Source: Giffords Law Center.
Important Legal Cases in Massachusetts
- Commonwealth v. McGowan (2017): Firearm licensing laws
- Commonwealth v. Gouse (2015): Assault weapons ban enforcement
- Caetano v. Massachusetts (2016): Stun gun Second Amendment rights
- Commonwealth v. Reyes (ongoing): Red flag law challenge (Source: Giffords Law Center)
Our Opinion on Massachusetts’s Gun Laws
As advocates for the Second Amendment, Husky Armory finds Massachusetts’s gun laws, with a dismal rating of 13/100, to be a severe infringement on constitutional rights. Massachusetts imposes stringent gun laws, with an assault weapons ban, a 10-round magazine limit, may-issue concealed carry, red flag laws, strict safe storage rules, and universal background checks—a litany of restrictions that stifles the freedoms of law-abiding citizens while doing little to address actual crime. The right to bear arms is a cornerstone of American liberty, and Massachusetts’s heavy-handed approach undermines that fundamental principle.
We urge Massachusetts to reconsider its stance, particularly on measures like assault weapons bans and universal background checks, which disproportionately burden responsible gun owners. The Second Amendment exists to protect against such overreach, and Massachusetts must work to dismantle these barriers to ensure its citizens can exercise their rights without fear of government intrusion. Liberty demands nothing less.
Disclaimer: This guide provides a general overview and is not legal advice. Gun laws change frequently. Always consult official state statutes and qualified legal counsel for specific guidance. Information primarily sourced from Giffords Law Center and state legislative websites as of April 2025.
