Why It Matters: On November 13, 2025, Massachusetts’ Office of Public Safety and Security (OPSS) released their fourth guidance letter to help citizens navigate the complexities and confusion of last year’s omnibus gun law, Chapter 135. In just over a year’s time, OPSS has published 39 points in an attempt to clarify and explain the Commonwealth’s new regulations. The final passage was rushed through late session votes in a 116-page document and is comprised of 159 sections. Registration of all firearms, state-prescribed mandatory Basic Firearm Safety (BFS) courses, and nonresident and youth hunting restrictions are some of the few but egregious challenges Massachusetts has implemented on sportsmen and women.
Highlights:
- In July of 2024, Massachusetts passed Chapter 135 in the legislature.
- On October 2nd, 2024, Governor Healy signed an “emergency preamble” to make the new laws effective immediately.
- Massachusetts’ Gun Owner’s Action League (GOAL) warns, “…this is just guidance from the state. The Attorney General, District Attorneys, nor the courts have weighed in on this.”
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), along with national and state conservation partners, has actively worked with MassWildlife, the legislature, and Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs and members to repeal sections or the entirety of Chapter 135 or, at a minimum, provide guidance from the Commonwealth on how law-abiding sportsmen and women must navigate the exceedingly complex patchwork of new firearm laws.
Sportsmen and women are the drivers for conservation in the Commonwealth by purchasing hunting licenses and equipment, especially firearms and ammunition. The “user pays-public benefits” manufacturer-level excise taxes collected are key components of the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) in providing the financial resources to conserve wildlife, a significant portion of which accounts for the 85% of MassWildlife’s funding, provided by sportsmen and women. By restricting access to firearms, and confusing those who use firearms in the Commonwealth, Massachusetts jeopardizes funding for conservation efforts.
Some the highlights of this guidance letter include:
- OPSS will accept current BFS certificates until April 2nd, 2026 for FID applications, as the mandated prescribed Commonwealth curriculum has yet to be created.
- All firearms must be registered by October 2nd, 2026. For a fee, the Firearms Record Bureau can provide confirmation of what firearms an individual has registered.
- Non-resident and youth hunters cannot use a semi-automatic rifle or shotgun, nor “large-capacity” magazines for hunting, but can apply for a “temporary license” for use in competition.
- An FID or LTC is required to purchase black powder.
- OPSS states “…a person may furnish a minor or person under 21 years of age with a firearm and ammunition for hunting, instruction, recreation and participation in shooting sports…” however that youth must be under constant supervision of someone possessing the correct licenses.
Although efforts to repeal onerous sections of new firearm code, or the entirety of the Chapter, have yet to prove fruitful, a 2026 referendum is expected to appear on next November’s ballot to repeal Chapter 135.
CSF would like to thank the Massachusetts Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs and members for helping navigate this confusing patchwork of laws, including their ongoing efforts to repeal sections and the entirety of Chapter 135. CSF will continue to work on behalf of sportsmen and women to allow them to enjoy their traditional hunting, recreational shooting, and other sporting activities in the Commonwealth.
