Chapter 135 (H.4885) – Muzzle Loading/Antique Firearms

November 26, 2024

The following should not be taken as legal advice.

WARNING to hunters and re-enactors without a firearm license!

All muzzle loader models that are reclassified as a modern firearm now require a Massachusetts resident to possess an FID Card or LTC and they must be registered!

Under the the new laws (Chapter 135) there are now three categories of muzzle loaders in Massachusetts.

#1 Flintlocks & Caplocks



• No license required to possess the gun
• A license is required to purchase and possess the ammunition.

 #2 Modern Ammunition Components

Muzzle loaders that take modern ammunition components like a 209 primer.

• A license is required to purchase and possess.
• Transfers must be reported through the state portal.
• No federal 4473 or NICs isrequired.
• Must be registered.

#3 Modern Firearm Muzzle Loaders

Any muzzle loader that incorporates a frame or receiver.

• Must have a license to purchase and possess.
• Transfer must be reported through the state portal.
• A federal 4473 and NICs check is required for retail.

 Defintions: C.140 § 121 



''Ammunition'', cartridges or cartridge cases, primers (igniter), bullets or propellant powder designed for use in any firearm, rifle or shotgun. The term ''ammunition'' shall also mean tear gas cartridges.

“Antique firearm”, any firearm or replica thereof manufactured in or prior to the year 1899 if such firearm: (i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition; or (ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade; provided, that “antique firearm” shall include any muzzle loading rifle, shotgun or pistol that is designed to use black powder, or a black powder substitute, and that cannot use fixed ammunition, unless the firearm: (a) incorporates a firearm frame or receiver; (b) is converted into a muzzle loading firearm; or (c) is a muzzle loading firearm that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.

“Firearm”, a stun gun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, large capacity firearm, assault-style firearm and machine gun, loaded or unloaded, which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a shot or bullet; the frame or receiver of any such firearm or the unfinished frame or receiver of any such firearm; provided, however, that “firearm” shall not include any antique firearm or permanently inoperable firearm.
   

“Frame”, the part of a pistol or revolver that provides housing or a structure for the component designed to hold back the hammer, striker, bolt or similar primary energized component prior to initiation of the firing sequence, even if pins or other attachments are required to connect such component to the housing or structure. Any such part that is identified with an importer or manufacturer serial number shall be presumed, absent an official determination by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the United States Department of Justice or other reliable evidence to the contrary, to be the frame of the firearm.

 “Receiver”, the part of a rifle or shotgun that provides housing or a structure for the primary component designed to block or seal the breech prior to initiation of the firing sequence, even if pins or other attachments are required to connect such component to the housing or structure. Any such part that is identified with an importer or manufacturer serial number shall be presumed, absent an official determination by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the United States Department of Justice or other reliable evidence to the contrary, to be the receiver of the firearm.