Licensing Exemptions

Learn what Massachusetts law says about when a license isn't necessary to be in possession of a firearm.

Massachusetts law allows temporary or limited possession of firearms or ammunition without a license in certain circumstances including, but not limited to, the following:

Possession while surrendering firearms, moving, or inheriting

A license is not required for limited possession when:

• Voluntarily surrendering a firearm or ammunition through the MA State Police firearms surrender program.
• Returning to Massachusetts after at least 180 consecutive days away, or moving into the state as a new resident, for firearms or ammunition already owned prior to the move or return, for up to 60 days.
• Inheriting a firearm or ammunition as an heir or devisee, for up to 60 days, during which time the firearm or ammunition may be lawfully transferred or sold to a properly licensed person.

Supervised possession

An unlicensed person may possess firearms or ammunition while under direct supervision of a properly licensed individual for a limited purpose and time, such as:

• Examination, trial, or instruction, when in the presence of a properly licensed firearm owner.
• Professional photographers or writers, or individuals involved in film, television, theater, or similar productions, while examining or using firearms as part of their work and under immediate supervision of a properly licensed person.

Additionally, a properly licensed person (or certain military personnel while on duty) may furnish a firearm and ammunition to a minor or person under 21 for hunting, instruction, recreation, or shooting sports, but the minor or person under 21 must remain under the supervision of the properly licensed person.

Possession by organizations & members

Entities that may purchase, transfer, or possess non-large capacity firearms, such as bolt-action rifles or pump shotguns, and ammunition for limited purposes and time without a license include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Banks and institutional lenders, and their authorized employees or agents, may possess and transfer non-large capacity firearms and ammunition when held as collateral or due to a loan default, without holding a firearms license.
• Federally licensed firearm manufacturers or wholesale dealers, and their employees or agents, when possession is necessary for manufacture, display, storage, transport, inspection, or testing.
• Historical societies, museums, and public institutional collections, provided firearms are unloaded, securely stored, and protected from unauthorized handling.
• Military personnel, police officers, and other peace officers may purchase, transfer, and possess non-large capacity firearms and ammunition without a license while performing official duties or when authorized by their agency, provided proper identification and authorization are shown at the time of purchase.
• Common carriers and their authorized employees or agents may possess firearms and ammunition while transporting them as merchandise for properly licensed customers, provided all firearm storage and transportation laws are followed.

Unlicensed non-resident possession

A non-resident may possess non-large capacity, non-semi-automatic rifles or shotguns and ammunition in Massachusetts without a Massachusetts license while one or more of the following are true:

• They have a permit from their home state with substantially similar requirements to obtain as the MA FID, which is determined by the State Police.
• They are hunting during hunting season, if holding a Massachusetts non-resident hunting license or a hunting license or permit from their home state with requirements substantially similar to Massachusetts.
• They are at a firing or shooting range.
• They are traveling in or through Massachusetts, provided the firearm is unloaded and secured in a locked container. Please note that this is unlike MA residents with a license, who simply need to keep non-large capacity firearms unloaded during transport.
• They are attending a firearm showing or display organized by a bona fide gun collectors’ club or association.

Additionally, an unlicensed non-resident may carry a firearm in a vehicle while "lawfully traveling through the commonwealth", provided that the firearm stays in the vehicle and, if not under the owner's control, it shall be stored according to the storage and transportation laws. Pistols are not explicitly mentioned in this provision, but the assumption is that they are included in the terms "carry a firearm".

According to EOPPS guidance letter #4, concerning non-resident carry, "Going to your workplace would not be “traveling through the commonwealth” under Commonwealth v. Marquis, 494 Mass. 434 (2025). [...] Brief stops incidental to travel appear to be permissible provided the firearm is properly secured in the vehicle."

FAQ

May a non-resident hunter under 18 years old hunt in Massachusetts?

Yes, and EOPPS agrees as well, as they state in their guidance letter #4, "section 129C(g) of chapter 140 states, “a person may furnish a minor or person under 21 years of age with a firearm and ammunition for hunting, instruction, recreation and participation in shooting sports provided that the person furnishing the firearm and ammunition holds the appropriate license, permit, or card...”. However, section 130 1⁄2 of chapter 140 requires that these activities be performed “while under the supervision” of a valid license holder and with the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian."