Skip to content
Effective

MGL Chapter 269, Section 10(j):
Carrying a Firearm in a School Zone

Chapter 135PenaltiesProhibited Areas

Section 10(j) of MGL Chapter 269[1] prohibits carrying firearms (loaded or unloaded) and other dangerous weapons on the person in any building or on the grounds of elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities, including transport used for their students, without written authorization from the board or officer in charge, except for exempt law enforcement officers. It is Massachusetts's state-law parallel to the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act, though it covers school buildings, grounds and student transport rather than the federal 1,000-foot zone.

Key Element

A valid LTC is not a defense. The statute applies "notwithstanding any license obtained by the person pursuant to chapter 140."

Special Definition

For Section 10(j), "firearm" means "any pistol, revolver, rifle or smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet or pellet can be discharged." This retains the operability requirement ("can be discharged") even though Chapter 135 changed the general Section 121 definition. Air guns fall within this definition if they are pistols, revolvers, rifles or smoothbore arms from which a pellet can be discharged.

Penalties

  • Carrying violation: Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment up to 2 years (jail or house of correction), or both. No mandatory minimum
  • School officials failing to report: Misdemeanor fine up to $500

Exceptions

  • Qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers (as defined by LEOSA, 18 U.S.C. Sections 926B-926C[2])
  • Massachusetts law enforcement officers who are currently certified under chapter 6E, section 4, provided the certification is not suspended, limited, or restricted and the officer is permitted to perform police duties and functions involving firearms under chapter 6E (added effective August 5, 2025)
  • Persons with written authorization from the board or officer in charge of the institution

Chapter 135 Changes

Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024[3], Section 122, broadened the law enforcement exception to include qualified retired officers under LEOSA. Section 123 added "including transport used for students of said institution," meaning school buses are now explicitly covered.

Related Provisions

Section 10(k) (created by Chapter 135, Section 124) establishes new prohibited areas for government buildings, polling places, and other locations. 18 U.S.C. Section 922(q) is the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act.

Referendum Status

The Chapter 135 amendments (LEOSA expansion and school transport coverage) are subject to the November 2026 referendum.

See also: MGL Chapter 269, Section 11C: Untraceable Firearm Prohibition

Verification

10 of 10 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 269, Section 10(j)Source text: ## (j) For the purposes of this paragraph, "firearm'' shall mean any pistol, revolver, rifle or smoothbore arm from which a shot, bullet or pellet can be dischSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
18 U.S.C. Sections 926BSource text: # § 926B. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers ## (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or any politSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
926CSource text: # § 926C. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers ## (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or aSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
chapter 6E, section 4Source text: # § 4 Division of police certification Section 4. (a)(1) There shall be within the commission a division of police certification. The purpose of the division oSTATverified 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
18 U.S.C. Section 922(q)Source text: ## (q) (1) The Congress finds and declares that— (A) crime, particularly crime involving drugs and guns, is a pervasive, nationwide problem; (B) crime at theSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
MGL Chapter 269, Section 11CSource text: # § 11C Manufacture, assembly, import, sale or transfer ownership of an untraceable firearm; prima facie evidence; punishment; destruction Section 11C. WhoeverSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
MGL Chapter 269, Section 10(k)Source text: # § 10 Carrying dangerous weapons; possession of machine gun or sawed-off shotguns; possession of large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device; punishSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
MGL Chapter 269, Section 10(h)Source text: # § 10 Carrying dangerous weapons; possession of machine gun or sawed-off shotguns; possession of large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device; punishSTATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07
MGL Chapter 269, Section 10(c)Source text: ## (c) Whoever, except as provided by law, possesses a machine gun, as defined in section one hundred and twenty-one of chapter one hundred and forty, without STATverified against sourceNone2026-10-07

Sources

[1] Massachusetts Legislature. MGL Chapter 269, Section 10

Chapter 269, Section 10

[2] Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S.C. 926B, Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers

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

Related

Research Methodology