Massachusetts Concealed Carry Law Summary
Last reviewed: May 3, 2026
Constitutional Carry
No
Open Carry
Open carry allowed only with permit
Permit honored in
27 states
Massachusetts honors
0 states
Massachusetts Gun Laws
Reciprocity of Massachusetts's Basic Resident Permit
Permit honored
Permitless carry
Not honored
Open Carry
Open carry allowed only with permit
Open carry is not permitted for anyone, just those who have obtained the permit.
Duty to Notify Law Enforcement
Only when asked by the officer
State Parks
Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry
Restaurants Serving Alcohol
No specific restriction
Firearms at Colleges
Concealed guns on campus prohibited by law.
Firearms at K-12 Schools
Prohibited
Church Carry
Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis
on a church by church basis
Hotels
No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Secure Storage Requirements
Firearms must be securely stored any time they are not in the owner's immediate control.
Magazine Capacity Limitations
The sale, transfer, or new acquisition of magazines with a capacity greater than 10 rounds is unlawful.
Suppressor Ownership
Prohibited
Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit
Unloaded guns may be in vehicles if secured in the trunk or in a locked case or other secure container
Firearm Law Uniformity
Uniform throughout state
Permit Training Requirements
"Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Course"
Non-Resident Permits
Non-residents may apply
Constitutional Carry
No
Duty to Retreat
Duty to Retreat before using ANY force except when in your dwelling (278-8a)
Places Off Limits
-Any building or on the grounds of any elementary or secondary school, college or university
-a place owned, leased, or under the control of state, county or municipal government and used for the purpose of government administration, judicial or court administrative proceedings, or correctional services, including in or upon any part of the buildings, grounds, or parking areas thereof
-a location in use at the time of possession for the storage or tabulation of ballots during the hours in which voting or tabulation is occuring or a polling place or early voting site while open for voting or within 150 feet of the building entrance door to such polling place or early voting site.
-Logan Airport including the "Security Zone"
-All other airports
- Court Facility or other Trial Court building
-War Memorial Park.
-All casinos.
-Boston public parks
-a place owned, leased, or under the control of state, county or municipal government and used for the purpose of government administration, judicial or court administrative proceedings, or correctional services, including in or upon any part of the buildings, grounds, or parking areas thereof
-a location in use at the time of possession for the storage or tabulation of ballots during the hours in which voting or tabulation is occuring or a polling place or early voting site while open for voting or within 150 feet of the building entrance door to such polling place or early voting site.
-Logan Airport including the "Security Zone"
-All other airports
- Court Facility or other Trial Court building
-War Memorial Park.
-All casinos.
-Boston public parks
State Contact / Source
Firearms Bureau / Mass.
200 Arlington St Ste 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
617-660-4782
www.mass.gov/eopss
200 Arlington St Ste 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
617-660-4782
www.mass.gov/eopss
Permit Issuing Authority
Local Police
Length of Permit Validity
6 Years
Permit Application Process
In Mass there is a Resident Firearm License which is required to possess firearms and a License to Carry which is required to carry them. link
Massachusetts Permit Reciprocity
Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →
Your Massachusetts resident permit is honored in 27 states
AK
AL
AR
AZ
FL
GA
IA
ID
IN
KS
KY
MI
MN
MO
MS
MT
NC
NV
OH
OK
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
VT
WI
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.
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