Massachusetts § 131F - Nonresidents or aliens; temporary license to carry firearms or ammunition

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 131F — Nonresidents or aliens; temporary license to carry firearms or ammunition, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 131F. Nonresidents or aliens; temporary license to carry firearms or ammunition

Section 131F. A temporary license to carry firearms or feeding devices or ammunition therefor, within the commonwealth, shall be issued by the colonel of state police, or persons authorized by him, to a nonresident or any person not falling within the jurisdiction of a local licensing authority or to an a citizen or national of the United States or a person who maintains legal permanent residency for purposes of firearms competition if it appears that the applicant is not a prohibited person and is not determined unsuitable to be issued a license as set forth in section 121F.

Such license shall be valid for a period of one year but the colonel may renew such license if such renewal is necessary.

The colonel shall issue such license in accordance with the provisions of section 131 to any resident of the commonwealth for the purposes of sports competition.

A temporary license issued pursuant to this section shall be clearly marked ''Temporary License to Carry Firearms'' and shall not be used to purchase firearms in the commonwealth as provided in section 131E. A large capacity firearm may be carried if the person has been issued a license; provided, however, that this entitlement shall be clearly indicated on the license. The fee for an application for the license shall be $100, which shall be payable to the licensing authority and shall not be prorated or refunded in case of revocation or denial. The licensing authority shall retain $25 of the fee; $50 of the fee shall be deposited into the general fund of the commonwealth; and $25 of the fee shall be deposited in the Firearms Fingerprint Identity Verification Trust Fund. A license issued under the provisions of this section to a non-resident who is in the employ of a bank, public utility corporation, or a firm engaged in the business of transferring monies, or business of similar nature, or a firm licensed as a private detective under the provisions of chapter one hundred and forty-seven, and whose application is endorsed by his employer, or who is a member of the armed services and is stationed within the territorial boundaries of the commonwealth and has the written consent of his commanding officer, may be issued for any term not to exceed two years, and said licenses shall expire in accordance with the provisions of section one hundred and thirty-one.

A license, otherwise in accordance with provisions of this section, may be issued to a nonresident employee, whose application is endorsed by his employer, of a federally licensed Massachusetts manufacturer of machine guns to possess within the commonwealth a machine gun for the purpose of transporting or testing relative to the manufacture of machine guns, and the license shall be marked ''temporary license to possess a machine gun'' and may be issued for any term not to exceed two years and shall expire in accordance with the provisions of section one hundred and thirty-one.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 131F

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 131F cover?

Section 131F ("Nonresidents or aliens; temporary license to carry firearms or ammunition") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 131F?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 131F" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 131F apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.