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Massachusetts Suppressors & Silencers Laws (2026)

Restricted: Firearm silencers are banned for civilians in Massachusetts.

RestrictedVerified Jul 18, 2026

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Firearm silencers are banned for civilians in Massachusetts. Under M.G.L. c.269 10A it is a felony, punishable by up to five years, for anyone other than a federally licensed manufacturer or law-enforcement officer to possess one. A stamp under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) does not make a silencer legal in Massachusetts.

Official source: malegislature.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Suppressors & Silencers in states bordering Massachusetts

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

ConnecticutConditional
You may own a suppressor in Connecticut, which has no possession ban, by going through the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) process. But C.G.S. 26-75 prohibits using a silencer while hunting, so a suppressor is fine for range and target use but not for hunting.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: cga.ct.gov · Full Connecticut rule →
New HampshireConditional
Suppressors are legal in New Hampshire, which has no ownership-ban statute, once you complete the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) process. The former prohibition on hunting with a silencer (RSA 207:4) was repealed in 2016, so hunting with a suppressor is now allowed.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: gc.nh.gov · Full New Hampshire rule →
New YorkRestricted
Firearm silencers are banned in New York. Under N.Y. Penal Law 265.02(2), possessing one is criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony, and a tax stamp under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) does not make a suppressor legal in New York.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: nysenate.gov · Full New York rule →
Rhode IslandRestricted
Firearm silencers are banned in Rhode Island. R.I. Gen. Laws 11-47-20 makes it unlawful to manufacture, sell, purchase, or possess one, with a minimum of one year's imprisonment. Registration under the federal National Firearms Act (NFA) does not make a silencer legal; the only exception (2024) is for law-enforcement tactical teams.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: webserver.rilegislature.gov · Full Rhode Island rule →
VermontConditional
Suppressors are legal in Vermont, whose former total ban was amended in 2015 and 2021 so that 13 V.S.A. 4010 no longer bars simply possessing a suppressor that complies with the federal National Firearms Act (NFA). Using one is lawful at sport shooting ranges and, expressly, for taking game.
Verified Jul 18, 2026 · Source: legislature.vermont.gov · Full Vermont rule →

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