Feeding Devices & Ammunition

Learn what Massachusetts law says about feeding devices and ammunition.

Large capacity feeding devices

Massachusetts law prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of any feeding device, such as magazines and clips, that are "large capacity". Large capacity feeding devices are feeding devices that can hold, or be "readily converted to accept", more than 10 rounds of ammunition or more than 5 shotgun shells. This includes "any part or combination of parts" that can be assembled into a large capacity feeding device. Law enforcement is exempt from the large capacity feeding device restriction.

"Pre-bans"

An exemption to the ban on large capacity feeding devices applies to any such device that was "lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994", or in other words, manufactured on or before September 13, 1994. These feeding devices are sometimes referred to as "pre-ban" and are only allowed to be possessed if they are on:

• Your private property
• Private property not open to the public and with permission from the owner
• The premises of a licensed firearms dealer
• The premises of a licensed firing range or sports shooting competition venue

When traveling to and from the above locations, the large capacity feeding devices need to be unloaded and secured in a locked container.

Pre-ban large capacity feeding devices can only be transferred to either a licensed dealer, someone who lives out-of-state, or to an heir.

What is not considered large capacity

A feeding device cannot be considered large capacity if it meets any of the following criteria:

• It cannot hold, or be "readily converted to accept" more than 10 rounds of ammo or more than 5 shotgun shells
• It has been "permanently altered" so it cannot accept more than 10 rounds of ammo or more than 5 shotgun shells
• It is an attached tubular magazine that works with only .22 rimfire ammo
• It is a tubular magazine, of any caliber, on a lever-action firearm or pump-action shotgun

Citations

Ammunition

Massachusetts doesn't impose many restrictions on types of ammunition. There is, however, a part of the law that says that tracer or incendiary ammunition can't be used for hunting or outdoor target shooting unless it's on a skeet, trap, or target range. This is a restriction on usage, not possession.

Massachusetts law allows FID and LTC holders to sell or transfer ammo in private transactions to other FID and LTC holders or to exempt persons.

Buying ammo online

Massachusetts requires in-state ammo sellers to verify a buyer's license information in-person for any ammo purchases. This means, practically speaking, that in-state sellers cannot ship ammo within Massachusetts. Arguments have been made about whether this affects out-of-state sellers. Consensus seems to be that it does not, and although many companies will not ship ammo to Massachusetts, there are some that will.

Citations

FAQ

Can I carry a pre-ban magazine in my concealed carry gun?

This is no longer allowed after Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 took effect.

Can I buy or sell a pre-ban magazine from or to someone in the state?

This is no longer allowed after Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 took effect. The only way to obtain a pre-ban magazine in the state at this point, is through inheritance.

Can a non-resident bring into or travel through Massachusetts with a large capacity feeding device?

No. Massachusetts does not provide exemptions on the possession of large capacity feeding devices for non-residents.

Can a Massachusetts resident with a license physically buy ammo out-of-state and bring it back?

Yes. There is no statute that prohibits this.

Do I need an FID/LTC to purchase black powder?

Yes, based on the definition of ammunition, which includes "propellant powder". This is a restriction on purchase, not possession, so a license is not needed to possess black powder.