Massachusetts Firearms Registration Deadline:
What to Do Before October 28, 2026

Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024^[1] created Section 121B of Chapter 140, establishing a statewide electronic firearms registration system. Every person who possesses a firearm in Massachusetts must register it through the MIRCS Unified Gun Portal by October 28, 2026.^[2]

Who Must Register

• Every person who possesses a firearm, rifle, or shotgun in Massachusetts
• Every person who possesses a frame or receiver, whether finished or unfinished
• Licensed dealers, gunsmiths, manufacturers, and distributors

There are no exemptions based on when the firearm was acquired or how long you have owned it. If you possess it in Massachusetts, it must be registered.

Registration Deadlines

• All existing firearms owners: October 28, 2026
• New Massachusetts residents: 60 days from establishing residency
• Dealers, gunsmiths, manufacturers, distributors: 7 days of acquisition
• Inheritance: 60 days
• Loss or theft: Report within 7 days

How to Register

1. Go to the MIRCS Unified Gun Portal
2. Log in using your MyMassGov single sign-on credentials (create an account if you do not have one)
3. Navigate to the firearms registration section
4. Enter each firearm: make, model, caliber, serial number, and type
5. Confirm and submit

The portal replaced the legacy MIRCS and eFA-10 systems in October 2025. Legacy URLs redirect to the new system.^[3]

What Firearms Must Be Registered

Under the expanded definitions in Chapter 135, the registration requirement covers:

• Handguns (pistols and revolvers)
• Rifles (all types, including semiautomatic)
• Shotguns (all types, including semiautomatic)
• Large capacity firearms
• Frames and receivers, whether finished or unfinished
• Pre-ban assault-style firearms (grandfathered under Section 131M but still subject to registration)

Antique firearms (manufactured before 1899) that meet the statutory definition may be exempt. Consult DCJIS or a firearms attorney if you are unsure whether a specific item must be registered.

Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns)

If you possess a firearm without a serial number, you must first apply through DCJIS to obtain a serial number under Section 121C^[4]. DCJIS will issue a unique identifier that must be permanently engraved on the firearm before it can be registered. Both the serialization and registration deadlines are October 28, 2026.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The October 28, 2026 compliance deadline is an administrative date set by EOPSS Guidance Letter #4 for existing owners to register firearms in the new MIRCS Unified Gun Portal. The underlying statute (MGL c.140 §121B) imposes registration duties on a transaction basis (7/60-day windows). Section 121B establishes escalating penalties for failure to register:

• First offense: Fine of up to $1,000
• Second offense: Fine of up to $7,500 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months
• Third or subsequent offense: Fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of 1 to 5 years

Ballot Question

Chapter 135 is subject to a veto referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot^[5]. A YES vote keeps the law. A NO vote repeals it. The registration deadline of October 28 falls before the November 3 election. Gun owners must comply regardless of the pending ballot question. If the law is repealed by voters, the registration requirement would be eliminated prospectively, but the state would already have the submitted data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register firearms I already reported on an FA-10?

The new registration system under Section 121B is separate from the eFA-10 transaction reporting system. EOPSS Guidance Letter #4 indicates that firearms previously reported via eFA-10 will be migrated into the new system, but owners should verify their records in the Unified Gun Portal and correct any discrepancies before the deadline.

What if I cannot access the portal?

The MIRCS Unified Gun Portal is the only authorized method of registration. If you experience technical difficulties, contact DCJIS at (617) 660-4600 or through the Mass.gov firearms services page^[6].

Is there a fee to register?

Chapter 135 does not impose a separate registration fee. Access to the portal requires a valid firearms license (LTC or FID).