Massachusetts has significant carry restrictions, and the legal landscape has shifted substantially since the 2022 Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. New legislation, court rulings, and injunctions continue to affect what is currently enforceable. This page provides a general overview only — verify the current status of any specific provision with Local police chief or a licensed Massachusetts attorney before relying on it.
Massachusetts carry status overview
Massachusetts requires a License to Carry (LTC) to carry a concealed handgun, issued by Local police chief. Massachusetts requires an LTC issued by the local police chief in the applicant's city or town. Post-Bruen, Massachusetts enacted significant revisions to its licensing and sensitive-location framework. Strict training and qualification standards apply.
| Concealed carry | License to Carry (LTC) required |
| Governing law | Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140 § 131 |
| Issuing authority | Local police chief |
| Open carry | Generally prohibited |
| Vehicle carry | Strict requirements — verify current rules |
| Post-Bruen changes | Yes — significant sensitive-location and process changes since 2022 |
Applying for a permit
Apply through Local police chief. Be prepared for a more involved process than in most other states — additional documentation, longer processing times, and in some cases an in-person interview may be required. Training requirements are typically more extensive than in shall-issue states.
Application info: https://www.mass.gov/firearms-license-application-and-renewal ↗
Sensitive locations (post-Bruen)
Following the 2022 Bruen decision, Massachusetts enacted expanded "sensitive location" restrictions that prohibit carry — even with a valid permit — in a substantially wider range of places than before. Categories commonly include:
- Government buildings and courts
- Schools and educational institutions (K–12 and higher ed)
- Healthcare facilities
- Public transit
- Places of worship (unless authorized)
- Bars and establishments serving alcohol
- Public parks and gathering places (varies)
- Polling places
- Private property, unless affirmatively authorized by the owner — verify. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's version of this default rule in Wolford v. Lopez (June 25, 2026). Whether this state has such a rule, and whether it survives that decision, has not been independently verified here.
These categories are illustrative — the specific list and ongoing litigation status varies. Verify the current, enforceable list directly with Local police chief before carrying anywhere in Massachusetts.
Chapter 135 of 2024 — what actually changed
Massachusetts enacted its most significant firearms legislation in over a decade with Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, "An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws" (originally H.4885). It was approved July 25, 2024, and Governor Healey signed an emergency preamble on October 2, 2024 making it effective immediately rather than after the usual 90-day period.
The changes most relevant to someone carrying:
- One licence instead of two. The old Class A / Class B LTC distinction was eliminated in favour of a single unified License to Carry. Guides still describing Class A vs Class B are describing pre-2024 law.
- Expanded sensitive places and vehicle storage rules. For some offences created by the act, holding an LTC is only a defence where the firearm was securely stored in the vehicle in compliance with §§ 131C and 131L — so the licence alone does not settle the question.
- Live-fire training added to the Basic Firearms Safety course (§ 74), effective April 2, 2026.
- Non-resident competition exemption repealed. The old § 131G, which let non-residents shoot in pistol competitions without a Massachusetts licence, is gone. Non-residents now need a § 131F temporary LTC to compete.
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders expanded — school administrators and licensed healthcare providers may now petition, and courts issuing a Harassment Prevention Order may order surrender of licences and firearms.
- Serialisation requirements extended to untraceable and privately made firearms, including 3D-printed guns and unfinished frames and receivers.
Implementation has been uneven. The Gun Owners' Action League noted that much of what circulated after passage was state guidance rather than settled interpretation, and that neither the Attorney General, the district attorneys, nor the courts had weighed in on many provisions. Several sections phased in across 2025 and 2026.
No reciprocity, and an 18-month mandatory minimum
Massachusetts recognises no other state's carry licence. G.L. c. 140 §§ 131 and 131F simply make no provision for it, so there is no list to check and no agreement to look up.
What makes this more consequential than in other no-reciprocity states is the penalty. Carrying a firearm in Massachusetts without a valid Massachusetts licence is a felony carrying an 18-month mandatory minimum sentence. Mandatory means the judge has no discretion to go below it. This is among the harshest carry penalties in the United States, and it applies to an out-of-state visitor who assumed their home permit would be honoured exactly as it applies to anyone else.
The lawful route for a non-resident is a temporary non-resident LTC under § 131F, issued by the Massachusetts State Police rather than a local chief. There is also a narrow in-vehicle allowance under § 129C(k), but it is limited and should not be treated as general permission to carry.
Note also that a Massachusetts LTC is required to possess a handgun in the Commonwealth at all — not merely to carry one in public. That is a broader requirement than most states impose and it catches people who assume that leaving a firearm at a residence is unregulated.
Frequently asked questions — Massachusetts
Is it difficult to get a carry permit in Massachusetts?
The process in Massachusetts is generally more involved than in shall-issue states — expect more documentation, training requirements, and processing time. Apply through Local police chief for the current specific requirements.
Has Massachusetts's carry law changed recently?
Yes, likely. Following the 2022 Supreme Court Bruen decision, many restrictive states including Massachusetts enacted new legislation addressing "sensitive locations" and permit processes. This area of law is actively litigated and continues to change. Always verify the current status before relying on any specific provision described here.
Does Massachusetts honor permits from other states?
No. Massachusetts recognizes no other state's licence. G.L. c. 140 §§ 131 and 131F make no provision for recognising out-of-state permits. A non-resident who wants to carry in Massachusetts must obtain a Massachusetts temporary non-resident LTC under § 131F, issued by the State Police. Carrying without a valid Massachusetts licence is a felony carrying an 18-month mandatory minimum — this is one of the most severely punished carry violations in the country, and it is not a risk worth taking on the assumption that a home-state permit will be honoured.
What changed under Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024?
Chapter 135, "An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws," was approved July 25, 2024 and made effective immediately by emergency preamble on October 2, 2024. The main changes for licence holders: the Class A / Class B distinction was eliminated in favour of a single unified LTC; sensitive-place restrictions and vehicle-storage requirements were expanded; serialisation requirements were added for untraceable and privately made firearms; and the ability of school administrators and licensed healthcare providers to petition for an Extreme Risk Protection Order was added. The § 131G provision that had let non-residents shoot in pistol competitions without a Massachusetts licence was repealed.
Do I need live-fire training for a Massachusetts LTC?
Yes, if you are a new applicant. Chapter 135 § 74 enhanced the Basic Firearms Safety course to include a mandatory live-fire component, and EOPSS guidance confirms this took effect April 2, 2026. There is a grandfather provision: anyone who held a valid FID or LTC on August 1, 2024 is exempt from the new BFS requirements at renewal. Course hour minimums are set by curriculum promulgated by the State Police Colonel and the MPTC rather than fixed in the statute.
How long is a Massachusetts LTC valid?
Up to six years. The licence expires on your birthday falling between the fifth and sixth anniversary of issuance, so the exact term varies by applicant. An initial application also requires a personal interview with the licensing authority.