Massachusetts § 131Q - Tracing by licensing authority of firearm used to carry out criminal act; transmission of statistical data to federal electronic system; cartridge casing information inclusion in national report
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 131Q — Tracing by licensing authority of firearm used to carry out criminal act; transmission of statistical data to federal electronic system; cartridge casing information inclusion in national report, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 131Q. Tracing by licensing authority of firearm used to carry out criminal act; transmission of statistical data to federal electronic system; cartridge casing information inclusion in national report
Section 131Q. (a) A firearm used to carry out a criminal act including the commission of a suicide shall be traced by the licensing authority for the city or town in which the crime took place or the law enforcement agency taking possession of the firearm. Said authority or agency shall report all available statistical data to the department of criminal justice information services. This statistical data shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the make, model, serial number and caliber of the firearm used; (ii) the type of crime committed; (iii) whether an arrest or conviction was made; (iv) whether fingerprint evidence was found on the firearm; (v) whether ballistic evidence was retrieved from the crime scene; (vi) whether the criminal use of the firearm was related to known gang activity; (vii) whether the firearm was obtained illegally; (viii) whether the firearm was lost or stolen; and (ix) whether the person using the firearm was otherwise a prohibited person.
(b) The department of criminal justice information services shall ensure that data reported pursuant to this section is automatically transmitted into the federal electronic system maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the United States Department of Justice and to the commonwealth fusion center or the criminal firearms and trafficking unit within the division of investigation and intelligence in the department of state police established pursuant to section 6 of chapter 22C. The colonel of state police shall produce an annual report no later than December 31 of each year regarding crimes committed in the commonwealth using firearms, including all of the categories of data contained in this section, and shall submit a copy of the report to the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and, upon request, to criminology, public policy and public health researchers and other law enforcement agencies.
(c) A cartridge casing associated with a firearm reported for tracing under subsection (a) shall be submitted for inclusion in the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the United States Department of Justice.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 131Q
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 131Q cover?
Section 131Q ("Tracing by licensing authority of firearm used to carry out criminal act; transmission of statistical data to federal electronic system; cartridge casing information inclusion in national report") 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 § 131Q?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 131Q" (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 § 131Q 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.