New Mass. Gun Law Takes Effect in 2026

Trying to mitigate gun violence and uphold your constitutional right to bear arms at the same time is a seemingly ongoing partisan battle. In Massachusetts, we have some of the strictest gun laws in the country and in the new year, Massachusetts will have some big new rules about guns. The law is called “An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws.” Most people just call it the new gun law.

Here’s what changes for regular people:

1. All guns need to be registered. Right now, only handguns and some big rifles have to be registered. Starting in 2026, every rifle and shotgun you own has to be added to the state’s list too. If you already own them, you get extra time to report them.
2. New handguns have to be on an “approved list.” The state will make a list of handguns that are safe and okay to sell. If a handgun is not on that list, stores can’t sell it in Massachusetts anymore.
3. Ghost guns are banned. A ghost gun is a gun you make at home, like with a 3D printer or parts you buy online with no serial number. The new law says those are illegal.
4. You need real shooting practice to get a license. To get or renew your gun license, you will have to go to a range and shoot a real gun with an instructor. Watching videos won’t be enough anymore.
5. More training is required. Everyone who wants a license to carry a gun outside their home will need to take a longer safety class. -mass.gov

I took the Massachusetts firearms class twice in the last ten years - it was educational and cleared up a lot of myth vs. fact type stuff. I got my license to carry last year. I'm glad more training is being required - I think it is absolutely beneficial.

The goal of the law is to make it harder for dangerous people to get guns and to keep track of every gun in the state. Some people like the new rules because they think it will make Massachusetts safer. Other people don’t like them because they think the rules make it too hard for good people to own guns.

The new law starts in early 2026, and everyone who owns guns will need to follow the new rules.