This is not legal advice.Concealed-carry reciprocity changes frequently and carries serious legal consequences. Verify current law with the destination state's official source before you carry.
MassachusettsConcealed Carry Permit & Reciprocity
Massachusetts is a may-issue-in-practice state. It issues a License to Carry (LTC) through the police department of the city or town where the applicant lives (or, for a non-resident, a temporary non-resident LTC through the State Police). Applicants must be at least 21, complete a Massachusetts-approved Basic Firearms Safety Course (or a Basic Hunter Education certificate), be fingerprinted, and pass a suitability and background review; the LTC is valid for six years. Massachusetts is not a permitless-carry state, and it has no reciprocity with any state — out-of-state firearms licenses are not recognized. The 2024 firearms reform (Ch. 135 of the Acts of 2024) consolidated the license tiers and added sensitive-location and other restrictions.
Massachusetts Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC)
- Issuing authority
- Local Police Department (licensing authority)
- Carry regime
- may issue in practice
- Minimum age
- 21
- Fee
- $100
- Training
- Required
- Validity
- 6 years
Carry practicalities
Permitless carry
Not allowed
Massachusetts is NOT a permitless-carry state. A License to Carry is required to carry a handgun; carrying without a license is a serious criminal offense (M.G.L. ch. 269 §10). There is no constitutional/permitless carry in Massachusetts.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Open carry
Permit required
Carrying a handgun in Massachusetts requires a License to Carry (M.G.L. ch. 140 §131). There is no license-free open carry; although an LTC does not by itself forbid open carry, in practice Massachusetts carry is concealed and brandishing/display can jeopardize the license.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Duty to inform
Not required
Massachusetts imposes no statutory duty to proactively notify a law enforcement officer that you are carrying. A licensee must carry the LTC and present it on demand of a law enforcement officer (M.G.L. ch. 140 §131(i)), but there is no proactive notification requirement.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Off-limits locations
- elementary and secondary schools and their grounds (M.G.L. ch. 269 §10(j))
- colleges and universities (per institutional policy)
- courthouses and government buildings
- the secured (past-screening) areas of airports
- polling places and locations designated under Ch. 135 of 2024 as sensitive
- private property and businesses that prohibit carry
- places where carrying a firearm is prohibited by federal law
Curated key categories, not exhaustive. School grounds are governed by M.G.L. ch. 269 §10(j); Ch. 135 of the Acts of 2024 added further restricted/sensitive locations. Property owners may prohibit carry.
official source · verified 2026-07-10
Massachusetts reciprocity summary
Massachusetts honors 0 states' permits · honored by 27 states
Where a Massachusetts permit is honored →Whose permits Massachusetts honors →
Last verified 2026-07-10 against Massachusetts — Firearms License FAQs.
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Massachusetts FAQ
- Does Massachusetts have constitutional carry?
- No. Massachusetts is may-issue in practice — a Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC) is required, and issuance involves discretion, delays, or added requirements beyond the base statutory criteria.
- How much does a Massachusetts LTC cost?
- The LTC application fee in Massachusetts is $100. $100 for a License to Carry (M.G.L. ch. 140 §131), valid six years.
- Does Massachusetts honor out-of-state concealed-carry permits?
- Massachusetts does not currently honor any other state's concealed-carry permit — a Massachusetts LTC (or permitless carry, if eligible) is required to carry in Massachusetts.
- Where is a Massachusetts LTC honored?
- A Massachusetts LTC is honored by 27 other states. See the full outbound reciprocity list for exactly which states and any resident-only or class restrictions.
- How long is a Massachusetts LTC valid?
- A Massachusetts LTC is valid for 6 years before renewal is required.
Sources
- Massachusetts — Firearms License FAQs (2026-07-10)