AR-15 Laws in Massachusetts
Last verified: April 8, 2026
This is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney and verify current federal, state, and local regulations before purchasing or building any firearm.
AR-15 Ownership
Assault Weapon Ban
Magazine Capacity Limit
Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)
Suppressors
Permit Required
Registration Required
Details
Assault weapons ban. Copies and duplicates of banned weapons also prohibited. Pre-ban rifles grandfathered. Suppressors prohibited.
Buying in Massachusetts
| Background Check | State POC (MIRCS) |
| Waiting Period | None |
| Purchase Age | 18+ for long guns, 21+ for handguns |
| Permit to Purchase | Firearms Identification Card (FID) and License to Carry required |
| Private Sale Background Check | Required (universal background check) |
Carry Laws
| Constitutional Carry | No |
| Concealed Carry Permit | May-issue (varies by municipality) |
| Open Carry | Prohibited |
AR pistols generally follow the same carry laws as handguns in Massachusetts. Verify with local law enforcement.
Local Preemption
Boston and other municipalities may impose additional restrictions. Local licensing authorities have discretion in permit issuance.
Check local ordinances in addition to state law before purchasing.
Neighboring States
How Massachusetts compares to its border states for AR-15 owners.
| State | Restriction Level | Mag Limit | AWB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Heavy restrictions | 10 rds | |
| New Hampshire | Minimal restrictions | None | |
| New York | Heavy restrictions | 10 rds | |
| Rhode Island | Some restrictions | 10 rds | |
| Vermont | Some restrictions | 10 rds |
Laws last reviewed: April 2026. Always verify current laws before purchasing.
AR-15 Ownership in Massachusetts
AR-15 style rifles are heavily restricted in Massachusetts. Featureless builds or fixed-magazine configurations may be legal. Consult a local firearms attorney before purchasing.
Building an AR-15 in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has an assault weapon ban in effect. Featureless builds with a compliant grip (fin grip or similar), fixed stock, and no flash hider may be legal. Fixed-magazine configurations using devices like the CompMag or MagLatch are another option in some jurisdictions.
Consult a Massachusetts-licensed firearms attorney before starting any build.
Ready to build?
Start configuring your Massachusetts-compliant AR-15 build.
Product Recommendation Disclaimer: These recommendations are based on our understanding of Massachusetts law as of April 30, 2026. Laws change. Always verify compliance with your local FFL dealer before purchasing. AR15 Outfitters is not a legal authority.
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. This information is provided for educational purposes only. Laws change frequently. Always verify current regulations with your state legislature or a licensed attorney before purchasing, building, or possessing any firearm or firearm accessory.