How To Tell if An AR15 Is Legal in Massachusetts? Your Guide to AR15 Compliance
- baystatesurplus
- Dec 8
- 11 min read
Understanding H4885, the New “Assault‑Style Firearm” Restrictions, and Why Everyone Is Confused
On October 1st, 2024, Massachusetts rolled out an enormous set of new gun regulations under Bill H4885. These rules rewrote the state’s long‑standing assault‑weapons ban and added a new registration requirement for many firearms that were previously legal.
The biggest problem for gun owners right now isn’t just the restrictions themselves—it’s the fact that two official sources wildly contradict each other:
• the law as written in the Massachusetts General Laws
• the interpretation published by the newly created Firearm Control Advisory Board (FCAB)
As a result, people search for answers online and walk away more confused than when they started.
The FCAB: Created to “Advise,” Now Rewriting the Rules
H4885 created the Firearm Control Advisory Board, a seven‑member panel meant to advise the state on how to apply the new law and create future firearm rosters.
The board has been holding monthly meetings. Their meeting notes—posted publicly—include “interpretations” of the law that, in some cases, don’t actually match the law itself. And unfortunately, those interpretations have major implications for whether your AR‑15 is considered lawful.
What the Law Actually Says
If you read H4885 strictly as written, the logic seems simple:
You may legally possess an “assault‑style firearm” if:
• it was lawfully possessed in Massachusetts on August 1, 2024, and
• it is registered and serialized under the new requirements.
In other words, the grandfather date appears to jump forward from September 13, 1994 to August 1, 2024. At first glance, that looks clear. It isn’t.
We will include the full definitions included in H4885 below:
MA General Law (H4885) - Full Definition of "Assault Style Firearm"
“Assault-style firearm”, any firearm which is:
(a) a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle with the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device and includes at least 2 of the following features: (i) a folding or telescopic stock; (ii) a thumbhole stock or pistol grip; (iii) a forward grip or second handgrip or protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (iv) a threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor or muzzle break or similar feature; or (v) a shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer’s hand from heat, excluding a slide that encloses the barrel.
(b) a semiautomatic pistol with the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device and includes at least 2 of the following features: (i) the capacity to accept a feeding device that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip; (ii) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (iii) a threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip or silencer; or (iv) a shroud that encircles either all or part of the barrel designed to shield the bearer’s hand from heat, excluding a slide that encloses the barrel.
(c) a semiautomatic shotgun that includes at least 2 of the following features: (i) a folding or telescopic stock; (ii) a thumbhole stock or pistol grip; (iii) a protruding grip for the non-trigger hand; or (iv) the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device.
(d) Any firearm listed on the assault-style firearm roster pursuant to section 128A.
(e) Any of the following firearms, or copies or duplicates of these firearms, of any caliber, identified as: (i) Avtomat Kalashnikov, or AK, all models; (ii) Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI and Galil; (iii) Beretta AR70 (SC-70); (iv) Colt AR-15; (v) Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR and FNC; (v) SWD M-10, M-11, M-11/9 and M-12; (vi) Steyr AUG; (vii) INTRATEC TEC-9, TEC-DC9 and TEC-22; and (viii) revolving cylinder shotguns including, but not limited to, the Street Sweeper and Striker 12;
(f) a copy or duplicate of any firearm meeting the standards of or enumerated in clauses
(d) and (e); provided, that for the purposes of this subsection, “copy or duplicate” shall mean a firearm: (A) that was manufactured or subsequently configured with an ability to accept a detachable magazine; and (B)(i) that has internal functional components that are substantially similar in construction and configuration to those of an enumerated firearm in clauses (d) and (e); or (ii) that has a receiver that is the same as or interchangeable with the receiver of an enumerated firearm in said clauses (d) and (e); provided further, that the firearm shall not be considered a copy or duplicate of a firearm identified in clauses (d) and (e) if sold, owned and registered prior to July 20, 2016.
(g) “Assault-style firearm” shall not include any: (i) firearm that is operated by manual bolt, pump, lever or slide action; (ii) firearm that has been rendered permanently inoperable or otherwise rendered permanently unable to be designated as a semiautomatic assault-style firearm; (iii) firearm that is an antique or relic, theatrical prop or other firearm that is not capable of firing a projectile and which is not intended for use as a functional firearm and cannot be readily modified through a combination of available parts into an assault-style firearm; (iv) any of the firearms, or replicas or duplicates of such firearms, specified in appendix A to 18 U.S.C. section 922 as appearing in such appendix on September 13, 1994, as such firearms were manufactured on October 1, 1993; or (v) semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than 5 rounds of ammunition in a fixed or detachable feeding device.
MA General Law (H4885) - Full "Grandfather" Clause
Section 131M. (a) No person shall possess, own, offer for sale, sell or otherwise transfer in the commonwealth or import into the commonwealth an assault-style firearm, or a large capacity feeding device.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to an assault-style firearm lawfully possessed within the commonwealth on August 1, 2024, by an owner in possession of a license to carry issued under section 131 or by a holder of a license to sell under section 122; provided, that the assault-style firearm shall be registered in accordance with section 121B and serialized in accordance with section 121C.
What the FCAB Says Instead
In July, the FCAB published a long and extremely dense explanation that effectively undercuts the idea that anything made after 1994 could be legally grandfathered—even if it was possessed on August 1, 2024 and even if it’s registered now.
The key points from their notes can be summarized like this:
• A post‑1994 rifle that had two or more “assault‑style” features was never lawful to possess in MA, even before H4885.
• Therefore, even if you had it before August 1, 2024, and even if you register it, they consider it still unlawful today.
• Only firearms with zero or one banned feature, and possessed prior to July 20, 2016, fall under an older exemption the FCAB says still applies.
This interpretation essentially wipes out the “August 1, 2024” grandfather clause for a huge number of rifles—including many AR‑15s—because the board claims they were never legal in the first place.
Whether that interpretation matches the actual text of the law is… questionable at best.
Why This Matters: Enforcement in MA Doesn’t Work the Way You Think
Some people say, “I’ll just follow the law as written. FCAB’s notes aren’t law, so who cares?”
Here’s the problem:
Massachusetts does not need to charge you with a crime to take your guns.
In the 31 years that our assault‑weapons ban has existed:
• Not one person has been convicted of possessing an illegal assault weapon.
• Thousands have lost their LTCs under “suitability” because they possessed a rifle that the state claimed was an assault weapon.
Most of those people spend years and thousands of dollars trying to get their license back. Most fail. Meanwhile, the state quietly drops the actual assault‑weapon charge every time.
Why?
Because the last thing Massachusetts wants is for an assault‑weapon prosecution to move far enough through the courts to reach the Supreme Court—where there is a very real chance the entire H4885 framework could be struck down.
It is far easier for the state to:
• revoke your LTC,
• seize your firearms,
• drop all charges,
• and leave you fighting your local PD in court.
This is why FCAB’s interpretations matter—even if they contradict the law. They heavily influence how licensing authorities, police departments, and prosecutors treat your case.
This influence isn't speculation, It is a reality that I have seen multiple examples of first hand since the rollout of H4885.
The Bottom Line
The law says one thing.
The FCAB says something else.
And Massachusetts will act based on whichever interpretation gives them the most control.
Your AR‑15 may be legal under the text of H4885, yet still put your LTC at risk under FCAB’s guidance.
This article is meant to simplify the situation, but the truth is that every “answer” raises two new questions. The rules are unclear, contradictory, and shifting month by month.
How can I guarantee that my next AR purchase is compliant?
If all of this sounds overwhelming, that’s because it is. The rules are vague, the interpretations keep changing, and one wrong feature can put your entire LTC at risk. That’s why Bay State Surplus only sells AR‑15s and modern sporting rifles that are 100 percent Massachusetts compliant with no grey areas and no “maybe legal” configurations. Every rifle we stock is vetted to meet the strictest interpretation of the law, so you don’t have to guess. Save yourself the legal headache and stop by the shop today—or order directly through our website with total confidence.
Your Guide to Understanding AR-15 Compliance in Massachusetts
Here is a clear, straightforward breakdown of the most common AR‑15 legality scenarios under H4885 (the actual law) vs. FCAB interpretation. This avoids legal jargon and gives gun owners a realistic picture of how each situation is likely to be treated in Massachusetts today.
Scenario 1: A true pre‑ban AR‑15 (manufactured before Sept 13, 1994)
Law as written:
• 100% legal to possess if it was in MA on Aug 1, 2024 and you register/serialize it.
FCAB interpretation:
• Also considered exempt. • Pre‑ban rifles remain the only category the FCAB clearly acknowledges as lawful.
Practical reality:
• Safest category.
• Least risk to your LTC.
Scenario 2: Post‑1994 AR‑15 with two or more banned features (typical modern AR‑15: threaded barrel, pistol grip, collapsible stock, flash hider, etc.)
Law as written:
• Appears legal if you lawfully possessed it in MA on Aug 1, 2024 and register it.
FCAB interpretation:
• Considered never legal to possess at any time after 1994. • Registration does not “fix” it.
• Treated as an assault weapon now—grandfather clause does not apply.
Scenario 3: Post‑1994 AR‑15 with zero or one banned feature (“featureless” build)
Law as written:
• If you owned it in MA on Aug 1, 2024 and register it, it should be legal.
FCAB interpretation:
• Only protected if it was possessed and registered before July 20, 2016.
• Anything after 2016 may still be treated as an illegal copy/duplicate depending on configuration.
Practical reality:
• This category is protected under both interpretations, but you better protect that FA10 registration form like its the golden ticket to the Wonka factory.
• Police departments will likely be confused about this category.
Scenario 4: An AR‑15 built from a stripped lower before Aug 1, 2024
Law as written:
• Appears legal if the rifle was assembled and possessed in MA on Aug 1, 2024.
FCAB interpretation:
• Likely considered illegal if the final configuration includes a detachable magazine—even though the lower was lawfully owned.
• Now that the "copies & duplicates" clause is written into law, an AR that was registered/manufactured in MA after 7/20/16 would be considered unlawfully possessed if it was in the commonwealth on 8/1/24, whether it is featureless or not.
Practical reality:
• This is one of the most vulnerable categories.
• The FCAB is treating legality based on features, not possession date.
Scenario 5: 80% lowers or home‑built guns
Law as written:
• Legal if completed and possessed in MA on Aug 1, 2024, then serialized and registered.
FCAB interpretation:
• Offers no clear pathway for post‑1994 feature‑based rifles.
• Likely treated the same as any modern “assault‑style firearm” with banned features.
Practical reality:
• Extremely high LTC risk.
• Expect scrutiny regardless of paperwork.
Scenario 6: AR‑15 purchased out of state before Aug 1, 2024 but never brought into MA until after
Law as written:
• Illegal. The firearm had to be physically in Massachusetts and lawfully possessed here on Aug 1, 2024.
FCAB interpretation:
• Same conclusion—but with even stricter view on features.
Practical reality:
• Clear‑cut prohibition.
• Do not bring it into MA.
Scenario 7: AR‑15 lowers purchased pre‑ban, but the upper/complete rifle is post‑ban
Law as written:
• The “firearm” under MA law is the serialized lower.
• Appears legal if possessed in MA on Aug 1, 2024.
FCAB interpretation:
• If the lower was manufactured pre 9/13/94, and registered as a rifle in MA on 8/1/24, this would be a compliant rifle.
• It does not matter when the upper was made, this does not affect pre ban status.
Practical reality:
• If the lower was not registered as a rifle on 8/1/24, it can be argued that it was never Assault style firearm to begin with, therefore there was nothing to grandfather into law.
• Another high‑risk category.
Scenario 8: AR pistols
Law as written:
• Treated as assault‑style firearms.
• Legal only if LAWFULLY possessed in MA on Aug 1, 2024.
FCAB interpretation:
• Almost certainly considered unlawful due to feature combinations.
• Pistol braces are functionally treated as banned features.
Practical reality:
• The only legal way to own a pre ban AR pistol legally under either interpretation is to purchase a pre 1994 that was lawfully possessed in MA on 8/1/24, which is extraordinarily rare.
• Among the highest‑risk categories.
• Strong likelihood of LTC revocation.
Scenario 9: Registered but “unlawful under FCAB” rifles (rifles that meet the state’s registration requirement but do not fit FCAB’s interpretation)
Law as written:
• Registration suggests legal possession.
FCAB interpretation:
• Registration does not override their interpretation that certain rifles were “never legal.”
• This creates a direct conflict that will fall onto the gun owner.
Practical reality:
• Police departments will rely on FCAB guidance, not legal nuance.
• LTC revocation extremely likely in any gray‑area case.
Scenario 10: Buying or selling any AR‑15 now
Law as written:
• Only AR15's that were lawfully possessed on 8/1/24 can be transferred.
FCAB interpretation:
• In order to have been lawful on 8/1/24, the AR15 either has to have been featureless and have a registration predating 7/20/16, OR have been manufactured prior to 9/13/1994
AR‑15 Legality Flowchart for Massachusetts (H4885 vs FCAB)
Start
↓
Was the firearm physically in Massachusetts on August 1, 2024?
• Yes → Continue
• No → Illegal to possess or bring into MA
↓
Was it registered and serialized according to the new requirements?
• Yes → Continue
• No → Must be registered; unregistered = unlawful
↓
Was the firearm manufactured before September 13, 1994?
• Yes → Legal under both H4885 and FCAB
• No → Continue
↓
Does the rifle have two or more banned features (common AR‑15 configuration)?
• Yes → FCAB considers it “never legal” after 1994 → Very high LTC risk
• No → Continue
↓
Does the rifle have zero or one banned feature? (featureless build)
• Yes → Continue
• No → Treated as a banned assault‑style firearm under FCAB
↓
Was it possessed and registered in MA before July 20, 2016?
• Yes → FCAB considers it exempt
• No → FCAB may treat it as an illegal copy/duplicate
↓
Is the firearm a home‑built, 80% lower, or assembled rifle?
• Yes → FCAB evaluates based on final configuration → If it has two or more features, treated as unlawful
• No → Continue
↓
Are you attempting to buy, sell, or transfer the firearm?
• Yes → Only pre‑ban rifles may be transferred
• No → Continue
Sources
We are not lawyers, please do not take any of this as legal advice. This article is for commentary purposes only as should never be used as legal advice. Please refer to the law to ultimately make your decisions, not us