Buying a Handgun in Massachusetts:
Step-by-Step Compliance Guide

Purchasing a handgun in Massachusetts requires careful compliance with state regulations. This guide walks you through every step from selecting an approved firearm to completing the required registration.

Step 1: Verify Your License

You must hold a valid License to Carry (LTC) to purchase a handgun in Massachusetts^[1]. An FID card does not permit handgun purchases. Verify that your license is current. Note that the Class A / Class B distinction was eliminated by Chapter 284 of the Acts of 2014. All LTCs are a single class.

Step 2: Check the Approved Firearms Roster

Massachusetts maintains a roster of handguns approved for sale by licensed dealers^[2]. The roster is maintained by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and is updated periodically. Dealers may only sell handguns that appear on the current roster. Private sales between individuals are not subject to the roster requirement.

Step 3: Complete the Transaction

A dealer conducts the required background check and completes the required electronic records. For a private sale, Section 128A(g) requires the parties to conduct the transfer through the electronic system before or at the point of sale, while Section 121B(b) separately requires all parties to report the transaction within seven days. A private handgun purchaser must also satisfy the Section 131A permit-to-purchase requirement described below. These requirements are separate, so the seven-day reporting window does not authorize the parties to postpone point-of-sale processing.^[3]

Step 4: FA-10 Registration

All firearms transfers must be reported to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) using the electronic FA-10 form. For dealer sales, the dealer submits the form. For private transfers, both the buyer and seller must submit separate eFA-10 forms through the portal.

Common Pitfalls

• Purchasing a handgun not on the approved roster from a dealer (private sales are exempt)
• Failing to submit the eFA-10 within the 7-day window for private sales
• Buying a handgun in a private sale without first obtaining a Section 131A permit to purchase, which is required in addition to the LTC (dealer sales are exempt)
Accepting a transfer from an out-of-state seller without going through a Massachusetts FFL
• Purchasing a firearm that lacks a valid serial number (untraceable firearm prohibition under Section 121C)