The City of Boston has enacted municipal ordinances that impose additional requirements on firearms owners beyond those established by state law. Among these is a registration requirement for pre-ban assault-style firearms that are otherwise lawfully possessed under MGL Chapter 140, Sections 128 and 131M[1].[2]
Registration Requirement
Boston residents who lawfully possess pre-ban assault-style firearms must register each weapon with the Boston Police Department. This registration is in addition to the standard FA-10 registration with the state.
Under the post-Chapter 135 framework, state-level registration is handled through the Section 121B electronic system (MIRCS Unified Gun Portal), not the FA-10 system. The FA-10 system handles transfer reporting. Boston's municipal registration requirement is separate from both state systems. The registration must include the make, model, serial number, and caliber of each weapon.
Impact of Chapter 135
Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 restructured the state-level assault weapons ban so that Section 131M contains both the prohibition (subsection a) and the grandfathering framework (subsections b and c). Section 128 was restructured to address dealer licensing violations. Boston's municipal ordinance applies to firearms grandfathered under the state framework. The broader state-level definition of "assault-style firearm" introduced by Chapter 135 may affect which firearms fall under the city's registration requirements.
Other Boston-Specific Regulations
- Enhanced safe storage requirements exceeding state minimums
- Reporting requirements for lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours
- Additional restrictions on the discharge of firearms within city limits
Enforcement
Violations of Boston municipal firearms ordinances are subject to fines and may be considered by the licensing authority when evaluating suitability for license renewal.
Sources
[1] Massachusetts Legislature. MGL Chapter 140, Section 131M
Chapter 140, Section 131M
[2] City of Boston. Municipal Code, Chapter 16