We are actively updating this page with the latest information available to us. As you can imagine, there are many moving parts when new legislation is put into place. We will update this page as needed, particularly when the newly announced “Assault Weapon Roster” is released.
The new Massachusetts General Law Chapter 135, the so-called “An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws” (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2024/Chapter135) that went into effect on August 1, 2024, dramatically changes how we are required to handle the transfer of firearms. These laws severely restrict what is legal for us, as firearm dealers, to transfer. Below is our policy on transferring semi-automatic rifles and semi-automatic shotguns. Additional restrictions also apply to FID holders and are stated below.
Semi-Automatic Shotguns
As of August 1, 2024, we cannot sell or transfer a semi-automatic shotgun to a person that holds a Firearms Identification Card (FID Card), per Section 44, subsection (c).
We can transfer a semi-automatic shotgun to holders of a License To Carry (LTC) unless it is considered an assault weapon, per Section 16, subsection (c) “a semiautomatic shotgun that includes at least 2 of the following features: (i) a folding or telescopic stock; (ii) a thumbhole stock or pistol grip; (iii) a protruding grip for the non-trigger hand; or (iv) the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device.” Additionally, semi-automatic shotguns that “hold more than 5 rounds of ammunition in a fixed or detachable feeding device” are prohibited from transfer unless the shotgun was manufactured prior to September of 1994.
Semi-Automatic Rifles
As of August 1, 2024, we cannot sell or transfer semi-automatic rifles that meet the newly revised definition of “assault weapon”. That new definition, defined in Section 16, reads as follows:
“Assault-style firearm”, any firearm which is:
(a) a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle with the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device and includes at least 2 of the following features: (i) a folding or telescopic stock; (ii) a thumbhole stock or pistol grip; (iii) a forward grip or second handgrip or protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (iv) a threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor or muzzle break or similar feature; or (v) a shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer’s hand from heat, excluding a slide that encloses the barrel.
There are a couple significant changes to this definition that will decrease the number of legally transferable semi-automatic rifles in Massachusetts. Regarding what is legal for transfer, the new law appears to grandfather the following in Section 71, subsection (b):
“…to an assault-style firearm lawfully possessed within the commonwealth on August 1, 2024, by an owner in possession of a license to carry issued under section 131 or by a holder of a license to sell under section 122; provided, that the assault-style firearm shall be registered in accordance with section 121B and serialized in accordance with section 121C.”
This limits the transfer of semi-automatic rifles to those that were legally possessed by an LTC holder in Massachusetts prior to August 1, 2024. It prohibits the transfer of semi-automatic “assault-style firearms” from outside the Commonwealth.
Handguns
It does not appear that much has changed in the transfer of handguns with this new law. In order to be transferred, a handgun must be listed on an Approved Firearms Roster and meet the regulations laid out in Massachusetts 940 CMR 16:00 or already be possessed inside of Massachusetts prior to October 21, 1998.
Summary
If you think, as we do, that these laws do nothing to curb crime in Massachusetts and only further restrict the rights of law abiding gun owners, contact your State Representative, State Senator and the Governor’s Office.
