Section 140:131 - Licenses to carry firearms; conditions and restrictionsThe issuance and possession of a license to carry firearms shall be subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
(a) A license shall entitle a holder thereof of a license to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry firearms, including large capacity firearms and ammunition therefor. The license shall not entitle a holder thereof to transfer, possess or carry large capacity feeding devices or assault-style firearms unless such transfer, possession or carry is permitted under section 131M.(b) No license shall be issued under this section unless the applicant submits with their application a basic firearms safety certificate meeting the requirements of section 131P.(c) A license to carry firearms shall be valid to own, possess, purchase and transfer rifles and shotguns that are not large capacity or semi-automatic, consistent with the entitlements conferred by a firearm identification card issued under section 129B.(d) A lawful resident 21 years of age or older residing within the jurisdiction of the licensing authority or any law enforcement officer employed by the licensing authority or any person residing in an area of exclusive federal jurisdiction located within a city or town may submit to the licensing authority an application for a license to carry firearms, or renewal of the same, which the licensing authority shall issue as provided under section 121F only if it appears that the applicant is neither a prohibited person nor determined to be unsuitable to be issued a license as set forth in said section 121F, provided that upon an initial application for a license to carry firearms, the licensing authority shall conduct a personal interview with the applicant.(e) A license to carry firearms shall be valid, unless revoked or suspended, for a period of not more than 6 years from the date of issue and shall expire on the anniversary of the licensee's date of birth occurring not less than 5 years nor more than 6 years from the date of issue. Any license issued to an applicant born on February 29 shall expire on March 1.(f) No person shall be issued a license to carry a machine gun in the commonwealth, except that a licensing authority may issue a machine gun license to: (i) a firearm instructor certified by the municipal police training committee for the sole purpose of firearm instruction to police personnel; or (ii) a bona fide collector of firearms as defined in section 121 upon application or upon application for renewal of such license. Clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph shall not apply to automatic devices or automatic parts.(g) A person issued a license under this section shall report any change of address via the electronic firearm registration system administered by the commissioner of the department of criminal justice information services. Such notification shall be made on said electronic firearms registration system within 30 days of its occurrence. Failure to notify in a timely manner shall be cause for revocation or suspension of said license.(h) The secretary of the executive office of public safety and security or their designee may promulgate regulations to carry out the purposes of this section.Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 140:131
Amended by Acts 2024, c. 135,§ 49, eff. 10/23/2024.Amended by Acts 2022 , c. 175, Secs. §4, §5, §6, §7, §8, §9, §10, §11, §12, §13, §14, §15, §16, §17, §17A eff. 8/10/2022, app. to estates of homestead arising or created before, on or after the effective date, except with respect to subject matter of any final judgment to the contrary by court of competent jurisdiction in an action commenced prior to said effective date.Amended by Acts 2018 , c. 123, Secs. §11, §12 eff. 8/17/2018.Amended by Acts 2017 , c. 110, § 21, eff. 1/1/2018, provided, however, that no person shall purchase, sell or offer for sale a bump stock or trigger crank, as defined in section 140:121, after 11/3/2017.Amended by Acts 2014 , c. 284, Secs. §48, §50, §51, §53, §56, §57, eff. 1/1/2015 and Secs. §46, §47, §49, §52, §54 eff. 1/1/2021.Amended by Acts 2014 , c. 284, § 55, eff. 8/13/2014.Amended by Acts 2011 , c. 9, Secs. §16, §17 eff. 4/11/2011.Amended by Acts 2010 , c. 466, § 3, eff. 4/14/2011.Amended by Acts 2010 , c. 256, § 97, eff. 2/2/2011.Amended by Acts 2008 , c. 224, § 1, eff. 10/29/2008.Amended by Acts 2003 , c. 26, § 429, eff. 7/1/2003.Amended by Acts 2003 , c. 46, § 103, eff. 7/31/2003.Amended by Acts 2002 , c. 236, § 22, eff. 11/1/02.