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

If purchasing from a dealer, the dealer will conduct the required background check and complete the electronic FA-10 transaction report through the state portal. If purchasing through a private sale, both parties must complete an electronic FA-10 (eFA-10) transaction report within seven days. All FA-10 submissions are now electronic only through the Unified Gun Portal^[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
• 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)