05/20/2026
Under Massachusetts law, your firearm must either be physically on you, under your immediate control, or secured in a locked container or with a tamper-resistant lock. “Immediate control” means you are close enough to immediately prevent someone else from accessing the firearm. Simply being somewhere else in the house may not be enough.
That means leaving a firearm on a nightstand, inside an unlocked drawer, on a shelf, or inside an unlocked vehicle could potentially violate the law if someone else can access it.
The safest way to store a firearm in Massachusetts is by using a gun safe, a locked case, or a proper tamper-resistant locking device whenever the firearm is not physically on you.
Massachusetts also has strict transportation laws. In many situations, fi****ms should be unloaded and stored in a locked container or locked trunk while traveling.
Improper firearm storage charges can lead to serious consequences, including criminal charges, large fines, possible jail time, and even suspension or revocation of your License to Carry.
Read the full blog on our website for a complete breakdown of what Massachusetts considers “immediate control,” common mistakes gun owners make, transportation requirements, penalties, and what happens if your LTC is suspended or revoked.