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Repealed

MGL Chapter 140, Section 130:
Sales to Minors

Chapter 135Referendum

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 130[1] prohibited the sale or furnishing of firearms and ammunition to aliens and minors, with age thresholds varying by weapon type. This section was repealed by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024[2], Section 47, effective October 2, 2024.

Pre-Repeal Prohibitions

  • Rifles, shotguns, and ammunition to aliens aged 18 or older without a permit card under Section 131H: prohibited
  • Rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and ammunition to any alien or person under 18: prohibited
  • Sales or furnishing of firearms (handguns), large capacity rifles or shotguns, or ammunition for those weapons to persons under 21 were prohibited.

Pre-Repeal Penalties

  • Mandatory revocation of dealer license
  • 10-year ban on reapplying for a dealer license
  • Fine of $1,000 to $10,000
  • Imprisonment up to 10 years in state prison or 2.5 years in house of correction, or both fine and imprisonment

Surviving Exception

Section 130½ (which survives the repeal) provides that it is lawful to furnish a weapon to a minor for hunting, recreation, instruction, and participation in shooting sports while under the supervision of a holder of a valid FID card or LTC appropriate for the weapon in use, provided the parent or guardian of the minor has granted consent.

Where the Substance Went

The sales prohibitions were not eliminated. Section 128 now carries the license revocation, the 10-year bar on a new license, and the fine and imprisonment for a licensed dealer who sells or furnishes a firearm or ammunition to a person without a firearm license, card, or permit. Section 123(f) bars a dealer from transferring a firearm or ammunition to any person without the required license, card, permit, or exemption documentation. Under Chapter 135, a person must be 21 for an LTC and 18 for an FID, or 15 to 17 for an FID with a parent's or guardian's permission certificate. Chapter 135 also added that a person must be 21 to own semiautomatic rifles or shotguns.

Referendum Status

The repeal is subject to the November 2026 referendum. A No vote on Question 9 would repeal Chapter 135, including its Section 47 repeal of Section 130.

Verification

6 of 6 factual claims on this page were matched to their source text as of 2026-10-07.

Show the claims
Factual claims on this page and their verification status
ClaimTypeStatusSourceChecked
MGL Chapter 140, Section 130Source text: # § 130 Repealed Repealed by St. 2024, c. 135, s. 47.STATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
Chapter 140, Section 130Source text: # § 130 Repealed Repealed by St. 2024, c. 135, s. 47.STATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024Source text: # St. 2024, c. 135: An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws ## SECTION 1. Section 172M of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, isSESSION_LAWverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
MGL Chapter 140, Section 121DSource text: # § 121D 3-dimensional printers and computer numerical control milling machines; use; sale or transfer; application; violations Section 121D. (a) No person shaSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
MGL Chapter 140, Section 123Source text: # § 123 Conditions of licenses Section 123. (a) As used in this section ''licensee'' shall mean a person with a license to sell under section 122. ## (b) LicSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
MGL Chapter 140, Section 128ASource text: # § 128A Application of Sec. 131 Section 128A. (a) A person with a license to carry under section 131 may sell or transfer firearms and ammunition and a personSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07

Sources

[1] Massachusetts Legislature. MGL Chapter 140, Section 130

Chapter 140, Section 130

[2] Massachusetts Legislature. Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024

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Research Methodology