<Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State permit required to purchase? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> MA Ch. 140 Sec . 129C </Td> <Td> Firearm Identification (FID) or license to carry required . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Although registration is not specifically required by law, transfers of firearm ownership are required to be recorded with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS): by the seller if in state, or by the buyer if out of state . The Massachusetts EOPSS also provides the option to register a firearm, although, other than obtaining a firearm from out of state (a transfer of ownership), this is not required by law . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Owner license required? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> MA Ch. 140 Sec . 129C </Td> <Td> Firearm Identification (FID) or license to carry required . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Carry permits required? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> MA Ch. 140 Sec. 131 </Td> <Td> Massachusetts is a "may issue" state for carry; the issuing authority must provide written explanation for the denial of any application, which is subject to appeal . The issuing authority is the local police chief for most jurisdictions, who has discretion in issuing carry licenses based on an applicant's suitability and stated need . In most jurisdictions, applicants who pass a background check and complete required training are issued licenses, but the issuing authority may impose varying degrees of restriction on the license (e.g., hunting, carry to / from a range, firearms dealer, or gunsmith, only while on - duty (for security professionals), etc .). Towns closer to large cities (like Boston) are de facto restricted, whereas more rural (and some suburban) towns are more inclined to issue unrestricted licenses . Permits are valid statewide, provided the license - holder complies with restrictions (if any) imposed by the issuing authority . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Open carry permitted? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> An individual with a Class A unrestricted license to carry firearms (LTC - A) does not have to conceal a handgun in public . Moreover, in 2013, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the holder of a LTC - A license is not responsible for alarm caused by licensed carry of a handgun, and that a permit cannot be revoked for suitability purposes under these circumstances . If police demand to see the permit, it must be produced, per G.L. c. 140, § 129 (c). Failure to produce a LTC upon demand by law enforcement is probable cause for arrest . Open carry of long guns is prohibited, except while hunting . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State preemption of local restrictions? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> There is limited preemption for some laws . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Assault weapon law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> A two point "banned features" system is what defines an assault weapon . These assault weapons are prohibited unless lawfully owned on or prior to September 13, 1994 . Firearms that do not have two or more "banned features" are legal to purchase with an LTC or in some cases a standard FID so long as magazine restrictions are followed to what your license allows . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Magazine Capacity Restriction? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> MA Ch. 140 Sec. 121 </Td> <Td> Illegal to possess magazines of over 10 rounds capacity . Pre-ban magazines manufactured before September 13, 1994 are exempt from this restriction . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NFA weapons restricted? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> MA Ch. 140 Sec. 131 </Td> <Td> Suppressors are restricted only for law enforcement or licensed manufacturers . Some destructive devices are banned at the state level, while others are banned at a local level . DD's can be completely illegal or legal depending on what town you live in . SBR's, SBS's, and AOW's are allowed with proper approval from the ATF . A machine gun license is required to possess a machine gun . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Background checks required for private sales? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> MA Ch. 140 Sec . 128A </Td> <Td> The seller must verify the buyer's Firearm Identification Card with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Red flag law? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> A judge may issue an order to temporarily confiscate the firearms of a person who appears to be at risk of harming themselves or another person . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Subject / Law </Th> <Th> Long Guns </Th> <Th> Handguns </Th> <Th> Relevant Statutes </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> State permit required to purchase? </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> Yes </Td> <Td> MA Ch. 140 Sec . 129C </Td> <Td> Firearm Identification (FID) or license to carry required . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Firearm registration? </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> No </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Although registration is not specifically required by law, transfers of firearm ownership are required to be recorded with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS): by the seller if in state, or by the buyer if out of state . The Massachusetts EOPSS also provides the option to register a firearm, although, other than obtaining a firearm from out of state (a transfer of ownership), this is not required by law . </Td> </Tr>

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