"EOPSS Guidance

Authority

St. 2024, c. 135

Source: Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Date: November 13, 2025
Re: An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws (Ch. 135 of the Acts of 2024)
Scope: Cumulative FAQ consolidating Guidance #1, #2, #3, and #4

This Guidance does not constitute legal advice. Questions involving fact-specific scenarios and legal questions should be directed to competent legal counsel.

The Act took effect on October 2, 2024. EOPSS continues to provide updated guidance as systems and policies are developed.

Publication History

Licensing

Basic Firearms Safety (BFS) Course (Q1-Q4)

• New BFS curriculum requirements under Act § 74 take effect April 2, 2026.
• Licensing authorities may continue accepting current-law BFS certificates until that date.
• Applicants issued FID/LTC after August 1, 2024 must take the new BFS course (including live fire requirement) at renewal.
• BFS instructors will upload completed certificates to the MIRCS Portal (DCJIS). Requirements take effect early 2026.

License Types Under the New Law (Q5-Q6)

The resident alien permit to possess non-large capacity rifles and shotguns is no longer a valid license type.

Current license types:
1. G.L. c. 140, § 122: Dealer License (buy/sell/rent/lease firearms and ammunition) (Act § 33)
2. G.L. c. 140, § 122: Gunsmith License (Act § 33)
3. G.L. c. 140, § 122B(a): Gun Club License to sell ammunition (Act § 34)
4. G.L. c. 140, § 122B(b): Gun Club License to possess/store/use large capacity firearms, ammunition, and feeding devices (Act § 34)
5. G.L. c. 140, § 122D: Self-Defense Spray Permit (Act § 36)
6. G.L. c. 140, § 129B: Firearms Identification Card (Act § 44)
7. G.L. c. 140, § 131: License to Carry Firearms (Act § 49)
8. G.L. c. 140, § 131F: Non-resident License to Carry Firearms

Application Location (Q7)

Applicants may only apply or renew in the city/town of residence, or through the Firearms Records Bureau for nonresidents. Business-location applications are no longer permitted.

Grace Period (Q20)

The grace period for expired LTC under § 121F(s) does not apply to temporary LTCs.

Black Powder (Q21)

LTC/FID required to purchase black powder (per § 121 ammunition definition). LTC/FID not required to possess or carry black powder for use in an antique firearm.

Registration and Serialization

Registration Requirements (Q8-Q9, Q23, Q26-Q27, Q34-Q35)

• All firearms must be registered, but compliance with the new registration system (§ 121B) is not required until October 28, 2026 (Act § 157).
• Existing FA10 registrations carry over; no re-registration required.
• New MA residents have 60 days to obtain a license; firearms must be registered once the license is issued.
• Dealer purchases are recorded by the dealer; buyer need not separately register.
• If a frame or receiver is registered and later built into a complete firearm, re-registration is required.
• Registration regulations: 501 CMR 19 (Registration of Firearms).

Serialization Requirements (Q24-Q25, Q31-Q33, Q35)

• Compliance with serialization requirements (§ 121C) not required until October 28, 2026 (Act § 157).
• Firearms with existing serial numbers do not need a new MIRCS serial number.
• Exempt from serialization: firearms manufactured before October 22, 1968; firearms produced by federally licensed manufacturers not for sale in MA.
• Exempt from registration: firearms produced by federally licensed manufacturers not for sale in MA.
• Serialization regulations: 501 CMR 20 (Serialization of Firearms).
• Portal access: MIRCS portal at mass.gov/how-to/record-a-private-firearms-sale-or-registration.

Storage and Transport

"Secured in a Locked Container" (Q22)

A locked vehicle does not qualify as a "secured in a locked container" under § 121.

A locked, secure container inside a vehicle qualifies: locked glovebox, locked console, or locked trunk inaccessible from the passenger compartment.

"Traveling Through the Commonwealth" (Q36)

Under § 129C(k), "traveling through the commonwealth" does not include commuting to a workplace. Commonwealth v. Marquis, 494 Mass. 434 (2025).

A nonresident may carry a firearm on their person while in a vehicle lawfully traveling through MA, provided:
- The firearm remains in the vehicle.
- If outside the owner's direct control, stored per §§ 131C and 131L.
- Brief stops incidental to travel appear permissible if the firearm is properly secured.

Nonresidents

Nonresident Business Owners (Q18)

No longer eligible for LTC under § 131(a).

Nonresident Temporary License (Q19)

Holders of temporary licenses under § 131F may not purchase firearms or ammunition in MA.

Nonresident Hunting (Q15-Q17, Q37-Q38)

• Nonresident hunters under 18: may be furnished firearms under § 129C(g) with supervision of valid license holder and parental consent (§ 130½).
• Nonresident hunters 18+: may possess non-large capacity, non-semiautomatic rifles/shotguns with a nonresident or home-state hunting license with substantially similar requirements (per Colonel of State Police) (§ 129C(j)).
• Nonresidents may bring qualifying rifles/shotguns for use on shooting/firing ranges (§ 129C(j)(ii) & (iii)).

Nonresident Registration (Q39)

Nonresidents are not required to register firearms while traveling through MA or possessing rifles/shotguns under § 129C exemptions.

Dealers and Transfers

Approved Firearms Roster (Q11)

The Secretary of EOPSS has approved the current Approved Firearms Roster under § 131¾. Dealers may continue selling firearms on the rosters.

FCAB determination: Shotguns and rifles ("long guns") do not need to be on an approved roster to be legally sold in MA. Dealers may sell them so long as they are not otherwise prohibited.

Ammunition Sales (Q14)

Electronic recording of ammunition sales not required by DCJIS at this time. Written records complying with Act § 37 suffice.

Ammunition-Only Dealers (Q28)

No FFL required if only selling ammunition; enter "AMMO ONLY" in FFL field on application.

Transfer Limits (Q29-Q30)

• Maximum 4 personal transfers per year, even for inherited firearms (§ 128A(c)). Excess through a dealer.
• No limit on transfers after required surrender to police.

FCAB and Systems

Firearm Control Advisory Board (Q10)

First meeting: November 8, 2024, at DCJIS offices in Chelsea, MA. Meets monthly.

MIRCS System (Q12)

DCJIS has updated MIRCS based on Trial Court and agency data. Additional updates forthcoming.

Section 12 Database (Q13)

Went live October 3, 2024.

Key Compliance Deadlines

Cases Cited

• Commonwealth v. Marquis, 494 Mass. 434 (2025) (commuting to workplace is not "traveling through the commonwealth" under § 129C(k))

Regulations Referenced

• 501 CMR 19: Registration of Firearms
• 501 CMR 20: Serialization of Firearms