Are Bump Stocks Legal in Massachusetts?

BANNED: Bump stocks are illegal to possess in Massachusetts under state law.

Massachusetts is one of the 19 U.S. jurisdictions that restrict bump-fire stocks at the state level, regardless of the federal rules. Below: the statute, the history, and the penalties.

What the law says

Massachusetts’s ban is codified at Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140 (first state to ban, Nov 2017).

  • Controlling law: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140 (first state to ban, Nov 2017)
  • Enacted: 2017
  • Penalty: Felony

Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to ban bump stocks, acting in November 2017.

The federal picture

In Garland v. Cargill (decided June 2024), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the ATF rule that had reclassified bump stocks as machine guns. Since that ruling, bump stocks are legal under federal law. That does not help you in Massachusetts: the state’s own ban operates independently of federal law and remains fully enforceable.

Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal to have a bump stock in Massachusetts?

Yes — state law bans bump-fire stocks in Massachusetts, and the ban has been in force since 2017. This applies regardless of the device’s federal status.

What happens if I’m caught with one in Massachusetts?

The statute provides for penalties including: felony. Either way, it is a criminal matter, not a fine-and-forget violation.

I bought mine legally in another state — does that matter in Massachusetts?

Where you bought it doesn’t change Massachusetts law. Possession inside the state is what the statute reaches. If you move to Massachusetts, consult an attorney about lawful disposition before you arrive.

Nearby states

Where that leaves you

Because of the state ban described above, bump-fire stocks cannot be sold or shipped to Massachusetts, and this page exists for information only.

State device laws have shifted repeatedly since 2017, in both directions. If the law in Massachusetts changes, our newsletter subscribers are the first to hear about it — the signup form is available on our main site.

← Back to the full state-by-state guide

Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify current federal, state, and local law before purchasing. Last reviewed July 2026.