Concealed Carry in Massachusetts

No. Knowingly possessing a firearm, or having one under one's control in a vehicle, outside one's home or business without a Massachusetts license to carry (or, for non-semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, a firearm identification card) or a statutory exemption is a crime punishable by 2 1/2 to 5 years in state prison or 18 months to 2 1/2 years in a jail or house of correction, with an 18-month minimum.

License to carry firearms (LTC), issued by the local licensing authority (generally the police chief) for residents and by the colonel of the State Police (temporary license) for nonresidents. A lawful resident 21 or older may apply; the licensing authority 'shall issue' the license unless the applicant is a prohibited person or is determined unsuitable based on 'reliable, articulable and credible information' that the applicant may create a risk to public safety or to self or others; a personal interview is required on an initial application. The applicant must submit a basic firearms safety certificate (since January 25, 2026, the course must include a written examination and live firearms training). Decision within 40 days of a completed application. Fee: $100 for a new or renewal license (persons over 70 are exempt from renewal fees). Valid for up to 6 years, expiring on the holder's birthday 5 to 6 years after issue. The LTC covers handguns and large-capacity firearms but not assault-style firearms or large-capacity feeding devices except as allowed by §131M.

None. Massachusetts law contains no provision recognizing another state's license to carry firearms; carrying a firearm outside one's home or business requires a Massachusetts license (c. 269, §10(a)). A nonresident may obtain a temporary license to carry from the colonel of the State Police; it is valid for one year, the application fee is $100, and it may not be used to purchase firearms in Massachusetts. Limited exceptions: a nonresident may carry a firearm on their person while in a vehicle lawfully traveling through the state (stored under §131C when outside the owner's direct control), and nonresidents 18 or older may possess non-large-capacity, non-semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with a home-state card from a state the State Police list as having substantially similar requirements, or while hunting, at a range, at a gun-collector show, or traveling through with the gun unloaded and locked.

Even with a license, carrying a firearm is banned in any building or on the grounds of an elementary or secondary school, college or university (including student transport) without written authorization from the school (fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 2 years). Possessing a firearm is also banned in 'prohibited areas': places owned, leased or controlled by state, county or municipal government and used for government administration, court proceedings or correctional services, including their grounds and parking areas (municipalities may vote to exclude their administrative buildings; state hunting land is excluded), and ballot storage or tabulation sites while in use, polling places and early voting sites while open, and within 150 feet of the polling place entrance (fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 2 1/2 years).

A license or card is required to have a firearm under one's control in a vehicle (c. 269, §10(a)). A licensed person carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle must keep it under his or her direct control ($500 fine). A large-capacity rifle or shotgun must be unloaded and secured in a locked container in a vehicle ($500-$5,000 fine). Possessing a firearm in a vehicle in a prohibited area (such as a government building parking area) is a defense if the licensed person securely stored it in the vehicle as required.