Moving to Massachusetts with guns: A complete guide
Updated: August 13, 2026
Massachusetts gun laws are well-known to be stricter than most states, so it's understandable for new residents moving into the state to be weary of bringing their guns. If you are relocating with firearms you already own, it can be hard to tell what you may bring, what must stay behind, and what the state expects from you once you arrive. In their simplest form, the main requirements when moving into the state with firearms are as follows:
- You may bring almost any firearm that is not an "assault-style firearm",
- Feeding devices must not be considered "large capacity",
- Suppressors and automatic or rapid-fire type of parts and conversion kits are, for the most part, not allowed,
- You must conform to the registration and serialization requirements, and
- You must recieve a gun license within 60 days of entering the state.
In this guide we will walk you through the process step by step, with the goal of providing clarity and guidance to keep you from accidentally violating the law.
This is general information based on Massachusetts statutes, EOPSS guidance, and our law reference. It is not legal advice for your specific move. If your situation is unusual, talk to a Massachusetts firearms attorney before you bring anything across the border.
The 60-day window
Under M.G.L. c. 140 § 129C, a new resident may possess firearms and ammunition without a Massachusetts FID or LTC for 60 days after entry into the commonwealth. The exemption only covers firearms and ammunition you already had before the move. It does not allow you to buy new guns in the state. Possession of firearms after the 60-day window requires a valid Massachusetts firearms license.
The exemption also covers residents returning after being away for at least 180 consecutive days. This covers the scenario where a resident who had an active firearm license left the state, and after at least 180 days, had the license expire.
What you can and cannot bring
Assault-style firearms
The prohibition on possessing, owning, selling, transferring, or importing an assault-style firearm into the commonwealth comes from M.G.L. c. 140 § 131M. To determine if a firearm is an "assault-style" firearm, you must consider the following factors:
Firstly, there are certain models of firearms that are outright banned, such as the AR and the AK platforms, including any firearm that is considered a "copy or duplicate" of these firearms. The definition of "copy or duplicate" leaves some ambiguity, so if you are unsure, it is best to err on the side of caution and leave the firearm behind until you can confirm with a Massachusetts attorney.
Secondly, if the firearm does not fall into the category of an explicitly banned model, then it must pass the "features" test, which only applies to semi-automatic firearms. Basically, the law makes a distinction between semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns. Each of the three platforms is given its own list of features where if more than one of the features in the list are present on the firearm, the firearm is considered an "assault-style" firearm, and therefore, illegal to bring into the state.
There is a grandfathering clause for assault-style firearms that were lawfully possessed in Massachusetts on August 1, 2024 by an owner who already held an LTC or a license to sell. Grandfathering requires that the gun was in Massachusetts and held by a Massachusetts licensee on that date, so owning an AR-pattern rifle lawfully in a different state before your move, in most cases, does not qualify.
To view the full list of explicitly banned models, as well as the features test for semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns, please refer to our restricted firearms page.
The handgun roster misconception
New residents may hear about a "handgun roster" and assume the roster is a list of handguns that are legal to own or possess in the state, and therefore, any handgun that is not on that list is illegal to bring into the state. This is incorrect. The approved firearms roster and Attorney General handgun sales regulations restrict what licensed dealers can sell or transfer in Massachusetts. They do not impose a possession ban on LTC holders. You may bring your off-roster handguns when moving into the state as long as they are not considered "assault-style" pistols.
You can read more about the handgun roster and the Attorney General's handgun sales regulations on our handgun roster and sales page.
Large capacity feeding devices
Massachusetts also bans the possession and importation of large capacity feeding devices. That generally means magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, or more than 5 shotgun shells. There is a narrow exemption on possession for devices lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994 (“pre-ban”), and some interpretations of the law suggest that the importation of pre-ban devices may be allowed. We would err on the side of caution and highly recommend against bringing any large capacity feeding devices into the state, "pre-ban" or not. See our feeding devices page for more details.
Firearms accessories, parts, and attachments
Most firearms accessories, parts, and attachments, such as lights, lasers, and optics, are allowed in the state. However, there are some exceptions. Suppressors cannot be possessed in the state except for law enforcement or with a specific federal firearms license. Automatic or rapid-fire type of parts and conversion kits are also outright banned.
You can view more details on the prohibited items and parts on our prohibited items and parts page.
How to transport your guns into the state
The new resident exemption lets you possess your guns in the state without a license, but it is not an alternative to a valid firearms license, and you must follow all transportation and storage laws.
The transportation laws outlined in M.G.L. c. 140 § 131C apply to anyone possessing firearms under a valid license or under a § 129C exemption (where the new resident exemption is found). § 131C does allow the carrying of certain loaded firearms in your vehicle if they are under your direct control, but because of the verbage of the statutes, we are not convinced that this also specifically applies to new residents bringing guns into the state. Our recommendation for new residents is to transport all firearms unloaded and in a locked container unless stated otherwise by a qualified Massachusetts attorney. To view more details on the transportation laws, please refer to our storage and transportation page.
Once you arrive, the storage law in M.G.L. c. 140 § 131L applies immediately. Any firearm not carried or under your direct control must be secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock, such as a trigger or cable lock.
Ammunition has its own rules under the state fire code, which states that ammunition must be kept in its original containers and stored in a locked cabinet, closet, or box when not in use.
Some have asked whether a new resident can take their guns to the range or anywhere else outside the home during the 60-day window. Although § 129C allows the possession of firearms without a license for new residents for 60 days, we are not convinced that this will protect you outside the home other than during the initial move. We highly recommend that you keep all firearms and ammunition properly secured in the home at all times until you have obtained the proper Massachusetts firearms license.
Registration, serialization, and reporting
Massachusetts requires firearms possessed in the commonwealth to be registered in the MIRCS Unified Gun Portal. For new residents, M.G.L. c. 140 § 121B mandates registration within 60 days of import.
You do not need an active Massachusetts license to register. The portal lets you indicate that you do not hold an active license and asks for the reason, with "new resident" among the options. That means you can register within the 60-day import window even while your firearms license application is still pending. You can view more details on the registration requirements on our registration and reporting page.
Serialization is a separate issue. If you are bringing an unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver (often called a privately made firearm or "ghost gun"), Massachusetts generally requires for it to be serialized. New residents get 60 days from import to serialize any unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver. Details are on our serialization page.
Obtaining a Massachusetts firearms license
You want to make sure you apply for a Masschusetts firearms license as soon as possible when moving into the state. The 60 day new resident exemption statute states that you must be issued a valid license, not merely apply for one.
The first step to obtain a Massachusetts firearms license is to take a qualified Basic Firearms Safety Course. Once you have completed the course and received your certificate, you can submit your application for a Massachusetts firearms license. We offer the course in Boston for those moving to the Boston area. You can view the details here.
By statute, a licensing authority has 40 days after receiving a completed application to issue or deny the license. In practice, wait times vary a lot by city and town, with some cities like Boston infamously taking upwards of a year to issue a license. Other departments may move faster. Some licensing authorities get around the 40 day time frame by arguing that the application is not complete until the fingerprints are taken. Fingerprinting is usually done in a separate appointment that is often scheduled after the initial application is submitted.
You can view more details on how to get a Massachusetts firearms license in our licensing guide.
If your license is not issued by day 60
The § 129C new resident licensing exemption lasts 60 days, and there is no extension while an application is pending. This begs the question: what happens if you don't have a license by day 60 and are in possession of firearms?
It is our opinion that you would technically be in violation of the law if you are in possession of firearms after day 60 without a license, even with a pending application. However, we are not aware of any cases where someone has been charged with a crime for this reason, and having a pending application may help in a defense against a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. We do not recommend relying on this defense though, as it is not a guaranteed outcome.
Some have argued that M.G.L. c. 269 § 10(a) can protect you in this scenario. The text partly states that it is a crime to possess a firearm without a license unless you are in your residence or place of business. Some read the text to mean "if the guns came in lawfully during the 60-day window and stay properly secured at home, you are fine even if the license arrives after the 60-day window."
In our opinion, that reading is incomplete, and we would not rely on this interpretation when making a plan. You can view our FAQ below for more details on why we believe this is the case.
If you are getting close to day 60 without a license in hand:
- Try contacting your local licensing authority for a status update. Keep copies of emails, portal screenshots, and call notes.
- Confirm your application is complete. Missing payment, fingerprints, or training certificates can delay application processing.
- Consider short-term storage options before the 60 day window expires. Depending on your situation, that may include storing firearms outside of Massachusetts with a lawful possessor, transferring or selling them to a licensed dealer, transferring them to a properly licensed person in-state, such as a friend or family member, or as a last resort, using the firearms surrender program to transfer them to the proper authorities. Consult with a qualified Massachusetts attorney for all options.
Can I leave my guns out of state before the move and pick them up after I get a license?
It is our understanding that this is possible, and for many people, the safest option. Move without the guns, leave them stored with a trusted person out of state, obtain the proper Massachusetts firearms license, and then go retrieve them. This would avoid the pressure of the 60-day deadline entirely.
On the federal side, 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(3) generally prohibits bringing into your state of residence a firearm obtained outside of it, and it has no explicit exception for guns you acquired before you became a Massachusetts resident. However, ATF guidance treats moving firearms you already lawfully own as part of a change of residence, and it does not set a deadline for when the guns must follow you. Retrieving your own firearms in person is widely regarded as lawful. We recommend keeping documentation that proves you owned the guns before the move, such as bills of sale, insurance records, or dated photos, in case you ever need to show that they are not new out-of-state acquisitions.
On the Massachusetts side, many of the rules from earlier in this guide still apply when you retrieve the guns. Assault-style firearms and large capacity feeding devices cannot be imported, and the firearms must be registered in MIRCS when they are imported. An important note on serialization: the 60-day serialization window in § 121C is written for "new residents", and it likely does not cover someone retrieving guns months after the move. We recommend serializing any unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver before it crosses the border, or leaving it out of state.
When retrieving the guns, be sure to follow the transportation and storage laws for all states you pass through, and any federal laws on interstate transportation that may apply.
A new resident move-in checklist
- Inventory every firearm, frame, receiver, feeding devices, and parts you plan to keep.
- Remove assault-style firearms, over-capacity feeding devices, and other restricted items from the move list.
- Plan to serialize any unserialized firearm, frame, or receiver within 60 days of import.
- Book a Massachusetts-approved safety class early. We provide a highly-rated LTC/FID class in Boston.
- Establish residency documents for your new city or town, then apply in the MIRCS portal ASAP.
- Transport and store everything under Massachusetts requirements.
- Register each firearm in the MIRCS portal within 60 days of import. You can file as a new resident before the license is issued.
- If license application processing is nearing day 60, try contacting the licensing authority, and consider the short-term storage options previously mentioned.
Official starting points: Apply for or renew a firearms license (Mass.gov), and MIRCS Unified Gun Portal.