Chapter 135 (H.4885) – Hunting

October 21, 2024

The following should not be taken as legal advice.

FID Card Holders:

• Massachusetts resident hunters that hold an FID Card, regardless of age, will be prohibited from possessing any type of semi-auto handgun, rifle or shotgun in the field.

Muzzle Loaders:

• Anyone firing a muzzle loader for any purpose must now have an FID Card or License to Carry to purchase and possess the ammunition components – black powder (or equivalent), percussion caps, round balls, etc.

• Any muzzle loading firearm that does, or can take, modern ammunition components such as a shotgun primer is now considered to be a modern firearm.
• This will now require anyone in possession of such a muzzle loader to possess an FID Card or License to Carry.
• It also requires that the firearm be registered and serialized under the new mandates.

• This also includes any firearm that has been, or can be, converted to a muzzle loader. Any firearm that has a frame or receiver. Any firearm that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.

Non-resident Hunters:

• Must register their firearms with the Commonwealth prior to entering the state. This includes any muzzle loaders that utilize modern components.
• Bans the possession of semi-automatic firearms (including rifles and shotguns).
• Bans any non-resident under 18 from hunting in Massachusetts.