Massachusetts Concealed Carry Laws & Reciprocity
A Massachusetts resident permit (License to Carry Firearms (LTC)) is honored in 28 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 7 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In 1 of those 28, recognition has conditions (such as holder age or permit class), marked in the lists below. In the other direction, Massachusetts recognizes no out-of-state carry permits. Massachusetts is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Massachusetts recognizes.
Massachusetts concealed carry reciprocity map
Where a Massachusetts resident permit is valid. Each state links to the rules for that trip.
- Permit honored
- Honored + permitless carry
- Permitless carry only
- Not honored
- Confirm case-by-case
- Massachusetts
Which states honor a Massachusetts LTC? (28)
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota (if issued since 8/1/2024), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Where a Massachusetts permit is not honored (22)
Permitless carry still applies (7): Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming
No lawful carry on this permit (15): California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington
Where a Massachusetts permit is honored, state by state
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits Massachusetts honors
Massachusetts does not recognize any out-of-state concealed-carry permit.
Mass.gov firearms FAQ: 'No. Massachusetts does not have reciprocity with any other states.' The former MGL c.140 §131G exemption letting non-residents with home-state permits carry for competition/hunting was REPEALED by Ch. 135 of the Acts of 2024, effective Oct 2, 2024 — no out-of-state permit is valid in MA for any purpose.
Massachusetts at a glance
- Permit
- License to Carry Firearms (LTC) · Non-Resident Temporary License to Carry
- Issued by
- Local police department licensing authority (residents); Firearms Records Bureau as designee of the Colonel of the State Police (non-residents)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permits
- Issued
- Permitless carry
- No
- Duty to inform
- No
- Magazine limit
- 10 rounds
Can you carry in Massachusetts without a permit?
Massachusetts is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Massachusetts recognizes.
No permitless carry. An LTC is required to carry a handgun (MGL c.269 §10(a)).
Is Massachusetts an open carry state?
Only with a license. Massachusetts allows open carry of a handgun from age 21 if you hold a permit the state accepts.
Carrying a handgun in public, openly or concealed, requires a Massachusetts License to Carry; Massachusetts does not honor other states' permits, so visitors need a non-resident license.
How to get a Massachusetts concealed carry permit
- Minimum age
- 21
- Fee
- $100 resident · $100 non-resident
- Training
- A Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Course certificate for new applicants; the course includes a written exam and live-fire training.
- Valid for
- 6 years
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue (must be granted if you qualify)
A resident license expires on your birthday five to six years after issue; a non-resident license expires one year from issue, with no grace period.
Does Massachusetts issue non-resident permits?
Yes. Massachusetts issues carry permits to non-residents, and a Massachusetts non-resident permit is honored in 26 other states. Non-Resident Temporary LTC issued by the Firearms Records Bureau; valid 1 year, renewed annually by mail with in-person appearance required once every six years; MA Basic Firearms Safety Course certificate required.
Do you have to tell police you are carrying in Massachusetts?
No Massachusetts statute imposes a proactive duty to tell an officer you are carrying; carry the LTC when carrying and present it on lawful demand.
Carrying in a vehicle in Massachusetts
An LTC is required to have a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and MGL c.140 §131C requires it to be under the licensee's direct control or secured in a locked container.
Where you can't carry in Massachusetts
- Elementary/secondary schools, colleges and universities without written authorization (MGL c.269 §10(j))
- Government administrative, judicial/court and correctional buildings, including grounds and parking areas (MGL c.269 §10(k), added by Ch. 135 of 2024)
- Polling places, early voting sites (within 150 ft of entrance) and ballot storage/tabulation locations in use (MGL c.269 §10(k))
Editor's verification notes
Magazine limit nuance: 'large capacity feeding device' = capable of accepting more than 10 rounds; possession lawful only for devices manufactured before Sept 13, 1994 (LTC required). Post-Bruen, LTC restrictions (e.g. 'target only') are no longer enforceable; a 'suitability' determination under defined statutory standards remains part of licensing (Ch. 135 of 2024). Age 21 confirmed via Mass.gov guidance for the Temporary LTC; statutory basis MGL c.140 §131. Mass.gov and malegislature.gov block automated fetchers; pages were read via Wayback Machine snapshots (FAQ snapshot 2025-11-04, session-law and 131G snapshots 2025) of the cited official URLs.
Frequently asked questions
- Which states honor a Massachusetts carry permit?
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota (if issued since 8/1/2024), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does Massachusetts recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- Mass.gov firearms FAQ: 'No. Massachusetts does not have reciprocity with any other states.' The former MGL c.140 §131G exemption letting non-residents with home-state permits carry for competition/hunting was REPEALED by Ch. 135 of the Acts of 2024, effective Oct 2, 2024 — no out-of-state permit is valid in MA for any purpose.
Official sources
- Mass.gov — Firearms License and Transaction FAQs (no reciprocity; large-capacity feeding devices; issuing authorities) — accessed 2026-08-08
- MGL c.140 §131G — repealed by Ch. 135 of 2024, Sec. 64 (Mass. Legislature) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Acts of 2024, Chapter 135 (An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws) — Sec. 124 prohibited areas — accessed 2026-08-08
- Mass.gov — Apply for or renew a firearms license (fees, where to apply) — accessed 2026-09-27
- MGL c.140 §131 — License to carry firearms (age, term) — accessed 2026-09-27
- MGL c.140 §131P — Basic firearms safety certificate (live firearms training) — accessed 2026-09-27
- MGL c.269 §10 — Carrying a firearm without a license — accessed 2026-09-27