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In Massachusetts, knowing possession, manufacture, assembly, purchase, sale, transfer, or import of an untraceable firearm is generally prohibited. State law provides limited exceptions and transition periods. For a privately made firearm, the required process includes obtaining a unique serial number from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) before manufacture or assembly, applying it during manufacture or assembly, and registering the firearm within seven days. Those steps do not by themselves establish that a person may legally possess or make a particular firearm: licensing, eligibility, firearm type, and other state and federal rules may also apply.
What Massachusetts law means by “ghost gun”
“Ghost gun” is a common label, not the central statutory term. Massachusetts law addresses “untraceable firearms” and “privately made firearms.” Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 amended state firearm law, and current Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 140, §121C, sets serial-number requirements for all firearms and prohibits specified dealings in an untraceable firearm. The legal definition and the exact statutory language matter more than the informal label. Read Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 and Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 140, §121C.
Can I make my own gun in Massachusetts?
Section 121C sets a process for a privately made firearm, but it is not a blanket authorization to make a gun. The person must obtain a unique serial number from DCJIS before manufacture or assembly, serialize the firearm during that process, and register it with DCJIS under §121B within seven days after manufacture or assembly. The firearm must also comply with applicable state and federal safety regulations. Licensing, eligibility, firearm type, and other legal restrictions may independently determine whether manufacture or possession is permitted.
Serialization requirements
The statute requires permanent serialization on the frame or receiver. The number must not be readily obliterated, altered, or removed; it must be engraved, cast, or permanently embedded to a depth of at least .003 inches and in print at least 1/16 inch high. If the frame or receiver is made of non-metallic material, a metal plate must be permanently embedded. These are statutory specifications, not optional recommendations. See §121C for the complete requirements.
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- Large Capacity Biometric Fingerprint Gun Cabinet:The large gun safe easily accommodates 14-15 firearms of various types (such as rifles, shotguns, and other long guns). The removable racks allow you to adjust according to the height of your guns, ensuring each one is stored securely and in an organized manner. The safe can store firearms (with or without scopes) up to a maximum height of 45.5 inches. Please note: If a firearm exceeds 45.5 inches in height, the interior shelves and hanging cabinet must be removed; otherwise, the gun cannot be stored properly.
- Quick Access Gun Safe: Emergency Key + Biometric Fingerprint + Digital Keypad. Utilizing advanced biometric fingerprint scanning technology (capable of storing 30 fingerprints) and a backup digital keypad, this safe ensures fast and reliable access. It guarantees that only authorized users can open the safe, effectively preventing children, intruders, and unauthorized individuals from accessing firearms.
- Multi-Function Gun Cabinet: The gun safe rifle interior features removable gun racks for flexible firearm positioning, plus an overhead storage compartment for compact handguns and accessories. Door interior hooks and ammo storage boxes keep everything organized—from scopes to cleaning tools.
- Sturdy and Anti-Theft Structure:Built with heavy-duty 15-gauge cold-rolled steel, this gun safe effectively prevents unauthorized access and provides comprehensive protection for your firearms. Its rugged design ensures long-term reliability, making it a trusted choice for home defense and secure firearm storage.
- Simple Assembly: Simple design for easy setup—no complicated installation! This gun safe features a user-friendly, easy-to-assemble structure and comes with clear instructions and all necessary parts. Upon receiving the product, please inspect both the item and the included accessories to ensure everything is intact and undamaged. Should you have any questions about the product, feel free to reach out to us via email at any time.
Do I have to register a homemade gun?
For a privately made firearm covered by §121C, registration with DCJIS under §121B is due within seven days after manufacture or assembly. The registration deadline is one part of a sequence: the unique serial number must be obtained before manufacture or assembly, and the firearm must be serialized during that process. Registration does not replace licensing or other legal requirements.
Who may have a limited exception or transition period?
Section 121C lists exceptions and time windows for specific circumstances. Their scope depends on the statutory conditions, so none should be treated as a general exemption for an unserialized firearm.
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- PREMIUM CARBON STEEL MATERIALS & BUILT-IN LED LIGHT : The high-quality carbon steel used makes the safe exceptionally sturdy and secure, and highly resistant to impact and forced entry,Features a soft LED light for clear visibility in low light, fitting seamlessly as a nightstand safe in bedrooms or drawers
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| Situation | What the statute provides |
|---|---|
| Firearm delivered to law enforcement | Exception for delivery solely for destruction. |
| Qualifying transport by a common carrier | Exception for qualifying carrier transport. |
| Nonresident traveling through Massachusetts | Exception for a nonresident’s firearm lawfully carried through the Commonwealth and stored as required. |
| Federal-government property | Exception for firearms that are property of the federal government. |
| Qualifying federally licensed manufacturer | Exception for qualifying firearms produced by federally licensed manufacturers not for sale in Massachusetts. |
| Firearm manufactured before October 22, 1968 | Listed exception for firearms manufactured before that date. |
| New resident or heir/devisee | Up to 60 days to serialize a lawfully owned firearm brought into Massachusetts by a new resident or acquired through an estate. |
| Licensed dealer, gunsmith, distributor, or manufacturer | A seven-day serialization period applies to covered acquisitions. |
This table summarizes categories in §121C; it does not resolve whether a particular firearm or person qualifies. Check the statute’s precise conditions and any other applicable provisions before relying on an exception or deadline. Statutory text: §121C.
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The statute gives a new resident up to 60 days to serialize a lawfully owned firearm brought into the state. The language is a limited transition period, not permission to possess any firearm regardless of legality, and the applicable conditions still matter. A firearm acquired through an estate is also covered by a stated period of up to 60 days for an heir or devisee to serialize it. Other obligations—including registration, licensing, eligibility, and firearm-specific restrictions—may apply.
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- 1. Biometric Gun Safe for Handguns with Quick Access This biometric gun safe for handguns supports fingerprint, PIN, and key unlock. It provides quick access. The compact design suits nightstand gun safe use
- 2. Portable Pistol Safe for Car, Travel, and Office This gun lock box holds 2-3 handguns. The compact pistol case fits a car, backpack, or drawer. Interior padding protects handguns and accessories
- 3. Built-In LED Light and Stealth Mode The interior LED light gives visibility in low light. The keypad can be muted for quiet operation
- 4. Carbon Steel Body and Security Cable The carbon steel body helps resist impact and pry attempts. The steel security cable helps anchor the gun safe to a fixed object
- 5. EVA-Lined Interior Protection The EVA lining helps protect handguns and accessories from scratches. It also helps reduce movement inside the lock box
Are 3D-printed guns or firearm-making machines illegal in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts separately regulates certain manufacturing equipment. State law prohibits using a 3D printer or CNC milling machine to manufacture or assemble a firearm in Massachusetts without a valid license to carry. It also prohibits selling, offering to sell, or transferring in the Commonwealth a 3D printer or CNC milling machine whose primary or intended function is firearm manufacture or assembly, subject to stated exceptions. The machine rules are separate from the serial-number and registration requirements; compliance with one does not satisfy the other. See Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024.
What are the penalties?
The amended criminal provision states that a person who knowingly manufactures, assembles, imports, sells, or transfers ownership of an untraceable firearm, participates in those activities, or purchases or receives one knowing it is untraceable faces imprisonment of not less than 12 months and not more than 2½ years. The provision includes additional evidentiary and other terms, so this summary should not be read as a complete description of potential charges or consequences. Consult the enacted provision in Chapter 135.
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- 2 Gun Capacity for Home Rifle and Pistols: This gun safe can hold 2 rifles up to 44 inches. TIP: For guns with scope or other accessories, you need to turn it sideways to fit the gun safe. The gun safe is designed with external hinges and opens fully 180 degrees for easy access to rifle firearms
- Smart Security Features for Rifles and Shotguns: Use the smart numeric keypad to quickly enter your personal code in case of emergency and the code memory function ensures that your code is not lost when the power runs out. With 3 separate lock boxes inside for storing bullets, pistols, money and other valuables in your home or office, and a separate pistol pocket on the door for storing pistols separately, the Electronic Gun Cabinet helps prevent unwanted visitors from accessing your firearms
- Ultra-Secure Protection Gun Cabinet: Built-in rifle rack provides storage space for 2 different rifles, 3 multi-point bolts provide physical protection against forced entry, keeping guns away from children and preventing theft. Others entering the wrong code 3 times will beep and lock for 50 seconds, the buzzer sounds once per second when the keypad is locked
- Easy Installation Gun Cabinet for Shotguns: The gun cabinet comes with pre-punched holes on the back and bottom for easy installation and necessary hardware for wall or floor mounting. You can secure it anywhere with the included grounding bolt
- Anti-Theft and Anti-Pry Design, Sturdy and Secure: The gun cabinet is made of sturdy cold-rolled steel. It uses 3x20mm diameter locking bolts and 14-gauge steel to ensure that no one can open it without a combination or key. The robust construction ensures that guns are kept away from children and prevented from theft
What about federal law?
Current federal requirements and the status of regulations and litigation are not established by the Massachusetts statutory sources cited here. Do not assume that meeting Massachusetts’ serialization and registration requirements settles federal legality, or that a federal rule changes the state requirements. For a personal situation, consult current federal statutes, regulations, controlling court orders, and a lawyer familiar with firearms law.
What the state’s seizure statistic does—and does not—show
The Massachusetts General Court’s 2024 Crime Gun Report listed 205 firearms as ghost guns or privately made firearms, representing 9% of firearms seized in that report. That is a count and share of reported seized firearms, not an estimate of all ghost guns in Massachusetts, legal ownership, or statewide prevalence. See the 2024 Crime Gun Report.
Quick Recap
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- ✅【Larger Storage Space】INTERGREAT gun safe has a flexible interior that holds 12–15 long guns with optics or shotguns up to 53 inches tall. Adjustable shelving and modular gun racks fit popular firearms such as the AR-15, Remington M870, Ruger Mini-14, Mossberg M500, and Winchester M70. Also includes ammo storage compartments. Great for multi-gun owners, hunters, or collectors.
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- ✅【All steel structure】This rifle gun safe is built with 16-gauge cold-rolled steel and four large 1.5-inch live-locking bolts. Anti-theft and anti-pry, it ensures firearms are protected from theft. The black finish blends into home decor, keeping guns hidden from kids or intruders.
- ✅【Sleep Mode and Alarm Feature】Press the "# "key and the computer board will automatically enter the alert state.The system alerts when the safe vibrates.If you enter it incorrectly three times, the alarm will automatically go off for one minute. Enter the correct code to eliminate the alarm.If there is no subsequent key input after pressing any key for 20 seconds, it will enter the sleep state.
- ✅【Easy Assembly】The gun safes & cabinets include all necessary hardware, making installation easy by following the manual or video guide. Pre-drilled holes on the back and bottom allow quick wall or floor mounting. Installation requires 1–2 people. Fits well in closets or garages, and is ideal for concealed, theft-proof storage.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
