MA Compliant Handguns

The NAA Mini Revolver is not on the Approved Roster. and commands a huge premium on the secondary market in MA

Background

In 1998, the MA legislature passed a sweeping set of gun control laws (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 123) that severely limited the variety of handguns that a licensed dealer can lawfully transfer to an MA LTC holder. In addition, the Attorney General's office added additional restrictions in 940 CMR 16 (CMR stands for Code of Massachusetts Regulations) and through subsequent enforcement notices. Under these regulations, dealers are only allowed to transfer handguns that meet one of the following criteria:

The handgun is listed on the Approved Firearms Roster AND meets the requirements of 940 CMR 16, and IS NOT subject to a later enforcement notice.
The handgun is listed on the Olympic Competition Firearms Roster AND meets the requirements of 940 CMR 16, and IS NOT subject to a later enforcement notice.
The handgun is listed on the Formal Target Shooting Roster AND meets the requirements of 940 CMR 16, and IS NOT subject to a later enforcement notice.
The handgun was owned/possessed in MA on or before October 21, 1998.

The rosters are published several times per year, with new guns being added periodically.

Is it illegal for me to own a handgun that doesn't meet one of these requirements?

No. These regulations apply only to what dealers can transfer, and not what an LTC holder can own. However, keep in mind that there are additional laws that prohibit possession of handgun magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds unless the magazine was made before September 13, 1994. These are referred to as "pre-ban" magazines.

How is it possible to obtain a handgun that is not on the roster?

There are several ways you can get a non-roster handgun. You can purchase it in a private sale from another MA LTC holder, or you can purchase the frame of the handgun from a dealer, assemble the firearm yourself, then register it within 7 days on the MA Gun Transaction Portal (select the "Registration" option and leave the seller information blank).

Keep in mind that non-roster handguns offered in private sales usually include a "Massachusetts Premium" in the asking price. Hard-to-get handguns can sometimes cost up to double the price of a factory new model.

The Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal

I see that Glocks are on the Approved Roster, but I heard that they're illegal in MA. What's the story?

The subject of Glocks in MA is a complicated one. It is not illegal for an LTC holder to possess a Glock (subject to the magazine restrictions explained above). While most Glocks meet the requirements to get on the Approved Firearms Roster, they DO NOT meet the additional requirements under 940 CMR 16, and were the specific subject of an enforcement notice released by the AG's office in 2004. You can get a Glock through a private sale, from a dealer if the Glock was manufactured before October 21, 1998, or you can get a frame from a dealer and assemble it yourself (then register it on the MA Gun Transaction portal.

I hope you found this post informative. If you have questions or would like more information , feel free to contact me here, or message me on Facebook (Jim Finnerty).