Storage & Transportation

Learn what Massachusetts law says about storing and transporting firearms.

Storage

Firearms storage

If any firearm is not under your direct control or being carried, it needs to be properly stored. To properly store a firearm, it has to be "secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device". Examples of mechanical locks and safety devices include trigger locks and cable locks. The definition of secured in a locked container allows for storing firearms in lockable glove boxes and center consoles and locked vehicle trunks that are inaccessible from the passenger compartment.

Violating the storage laws where a minor may simply have access to a firearm may be punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years, depending on the type of firearm.

The storage requirements do not apply to antique firearms.

Ammunition storage

Massachusetts fire code requires ammunition to be "stored in original containers and such containers shall be stored in a locked cabinet, closet or box when not in use." Additionally, regulations prescribe a limit to the amount of bulk ammunition that can be stored in a building without a permit. For example, for small arms ammunition the limits are as follows:

• Not more than 10,000 rounds of rim fire ammunition
• Not more than 10,000 rounds of center fire ammunition
• Not more than 5,000 rounds of shotgun ammunition

Citations

Transportation

When transporting firearms in a vehicle within MA, loaded handguns need to be under your direct control or otherwise kept unloaded. There are no other requirements for handguns.

Large capacity, or in other words "semi-auto", rifles and shotguns need to be unloaded and secured in a locked container. Trigger locks and cable locks will not be sufficient when transporting large capacity rifles and shotguns.

Other than needing to be unloaded, there are no transportation requirements set for rifles and shotguns that are not considered large capacity, such as bolt-action rifles or pump shotguns.

FAQ

Does a firearm need to be unloaded or kept separate from the ammo when storing it?

No, there is no requirement to keep firearms unloaded or separate from ammunition when being stored.

Can I store or transport a firearm in a soft but lockable bag?

Yes. Massachusetts law does not mention a required material type for the locked container when transporting or storing firearms.

Can I store a loaded gun in a safe in my car?

Yes, you can techincally store a loaded gun in your car as long as you follow the storage laws. Please note, though, that once you drive the car, you are no longer storing the firearm, you are transporting it, and the transportation requirements go in effect. Firearms need to remain unloaded, even if in a safe, during transport unless it is a handgun under your direct control.

Can I openly display my firearms in my home?

Yes, but any firearms that are not stored in locked containers or under your direct control must at least be equipped with a safety device or lock that renders them inoperable from unauthorized people.

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