In Massachusetts, generally no one under 18 years of age may purchase a firearm or ammunition, and no one under 21 years of age may purchase a handgun, a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun, a large capacity weapon, or ammunition therefor.¹ Any person selling or furnishing a firearm or ammunition to any person under age 18 is criminally liable, as is any person selling or furnishing a handgun, a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun, or large capacity weapon or ammunition for those firearms to anyone under age 21.²

Under certain circumstances, however, minors may possess weapons. Persons “aged 15 or older, but less than 18 years of age” may apply for a Firearm Identification Card (“FID”) if the applicant submits a certificate from his or her parent or guardian granting the applicant permission to apply for a FID. This exception allows persons 15 years of age and older to possess non-semiautomatic rifles and shotguns.³

In addition, a 2014 law allows someone to furnish a weapon to a minor for hunting, recreation, instruction and participation in shooting sports if the minor is supervised by a someone with a valid FID or license to carry, provided the minor’s parent or guardian has consented.⁴ Applicants for a license to carry a firearm in public must generally be at least 21 years old.⁵

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1. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, §§ 129B, 131.[↩]
2. See Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, §§ 123, 128.[↩]
3. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 129B.[↩]
4. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 130 1/2.[↩]
5. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 131.[↩]