MA Electronic Firearms Registration: How It Works

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 121B^[1], created by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024^[2], mandates a comprehensive, real-time electronic firearms registration system operated by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS). It requires registration of all firearms possessed, manufactured, or assembled in the Commonwealth.

Transition Deadline

Sections 157 and 158 of Chapter 135 set registration and serialization transition deadlines relative to when each system became publicly available; the statutes do not print a fixed calendar date. Guidance Letter #4 states in Question 35 that individuals are not required to comply with Sections 121B and 121C until October 28, 2026.^[3] The same guidance gives an inconsistent October 2, 2026 serialization date in Question 8. Owners of unserialized firearms should confirm the current deadline with DCJIS rather than relying on the conflict.

Key Requirements

Registration information must include the registrant's name, address, contact information, license type and number, firearm type, acquisition date, source of acquisition, whether the firearm is privately made, and a sworn statement of lawful eligibility. Registration timelines vary by category:

Standard acquisitions: At time of acquisition
New residents and heirs: Within 60 days for persons importing firearms or receiving through estate distribution
Firearms imported by licensed dealers, gunsmiths, distributors, and manufacturers: Within 7 days of import. Other acquisitions by these licensees follow the applicable at-acquisition or transaction rule.
Privately made firearms: Within 7 days
All transactions: All parties must report within 7 days. A loan to a duly licensed or exempted person for a period of less than 7 days does not have to be reported
Loss or theft: Within 7 days to the licensing authority, state police, and DCJIS, with automatic notification to the licensing authority where the owner resides

Penalties

First offense: Fine up to $1,000
Second offense: Fine up to $7,500 or imprisonment up to 6 months, or both
Third or subsequent offense: Fine up to $10,000 or imprisonment of not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years, or both

Failure to report is also cause for suspension or permanent revocation of a license.

Exceptions

Firearms delivered to law enforcement for destruction
Firearms possessed by common carriers during regular transport
Firearms of nonresidents lawfully traveling through the Commonwealth (if stored per Sections 131C and 131L)
Property of the United States government
Firearms produced by federally licensed manufacturers not for sale in the Commonwealth

Related Provisions

Section 121C establishes the serialization requirements that feed into this registration system. Section 121E draws from this system to populate the public firearms data dashboard. Section 128A requires all private transfers to be processed through this system. Section 123 requires dealer loss and theft reporting through this system.

Referendum Status

Created by Chapter 135, this section would be repealed if the November 2026 referendum succeeds.

MGL Chapter 140, Section 121B:
Electronic Firearms Registration