Bill
S 1678
Massachusetts requires an approved license to sell ammunition, with background checks, disqualifications, fees, and enforcement, including club-based on-site supply.
Status & timeline
- Introduced: 2025-05-08 (Senate)
- Key legislative milestones: Passed Senate (03/04/2025), Passed House/Assembly (03/24/2025), Delivered to Governor (08/22/2025)
- Signed into law: 2025-08-26 (Chapter 357)
- Replaces prior language in Section 34 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 and repeals Section 3 of that chapter.
Purpose
- To create a revised licensing framework for the sale of ammunition in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, clarifying application, background check, fee, enforcement, and judicial review procedures and to permit licensing of certain shooting clubs to supply ammunition on their premises.
Key provisions
- License requirement: No person may sell ammunition in Massachusetts unless licensed under this section.
- Licensing authority: Chief of police or the city/town police board/officer (or their designees) may grant licenses after investigating the applicant’s criminal history.
- Criminal-history review: One copy of each application is forwarded to the Commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), who must notify the licensing authority in writing of any disqualifying criminal record.
- Disqualifications: Licenses may not be issued to (explicit statutory language): aliens, minors, persons adjudicated a youthful offender under G.L. c.119 §52 (including those without an adult sentence), persons convicted of a felony in any state or federal jurisdiction, or persons convicted of unlawful use/possession/sale of narcotic or harmful drugs.
- Club sales: Lawfully incorporated sporting/shooting clubs may be licensed to sell or supply ammunition for regulated on‑site shooting (e.g., skeet, trap, target). The club license must be exercised by an officer or authorized member who personally holds a firearm identification card or license to carry and would not be disqualified.
- Fees and distribution: Application fee = $100 (non‑prorated, non‑refundable). Distribution: $25 retained by licensing authority; $50 deposited to the Commonwealth’s General Fund; $25 to the Firearms Fingerprint Identity Verification Trust Fund.
- Enforcement and penalties: Licensing authority may revoke or suspend licenses for violations. Unlicensed sale of ammunition is punishable by fine of $500–$1,000 and/or imprisonment of 6 months–2 years.
- Rulemaking: Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety authorized to adopt regulations to implement the section.
- Judicial review: Applicants refused a license or whose license is suspended/revoked may seek district court review within 30 days; a judge may order issuance if there was no reasonable ground for refusal and the applicant is legally eligible.
Who is affected
- Ammunition retailers and vendors operating in Massachusetts
- Lawful shooting/sporting clubs seeking to supply ammunition on premises
- Local licensing authorities and municipal police departments (responsible for investigations and retaining part of fees)
- DCJIS (conducts criminal-history checks and receives application copies)
- Individuals barred under the disqualification provisions (aliens, minors, certain youthful offenders, felons, certain drug‑crime convicts)
- Consumers potentially affected by compliance costs, licensing oversight, and enforcement
Notes and related measures
- Bill text replaces Section 34 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 and repeals Section 3 of that chapter.
- Related/companion measures listed: A.2124 (companion), HR 4683, SD 1469.
- Sponsors listed in the provided record include both state and federal names; primary sponsors shown as Gary Peters and Christopher Ryan, with additional cosponsors listed. (The provided sponsor list should be cross‑checked in official legislative records for accuracy.)
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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