Massachusetts technically permits open carry with a valid License to Carry, but the practice is rare and discouraged, with municipalities and businesses commonly prohibiting visible firearms.
Open carry is not specifically prohibited by Massachusetts statute when the carrier holds a valid LTC under MGL Chapter 140 Section 131. However, openly displayed firearms can trigger disorderly conduct charges or breach-of-peace concerns, and chiefs may consider repeated incidents in suitability reviews. Most public spaces, businesses, and government buildings prohibit open display, and the cultural norm in Massachusetts is concealed carry only. Long guns generally must be unloaded and cased when transported in public.
Open carry without a valid LTC subjects holders to felony unlicensed-possession charges; alarming display can also lead to disturbing-the-peace prosecution.
Brookline, MA
Brookline's General By-Laws and nuisance control provisions prohibit animals from creating persistent noise disturbances. Animal Control handles complaints a...
Brookline, MA
Brookline's Article 8.15 restricts construction noise activities on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays to hours before 8:00 PM. Weekday construction hour limit...
Brookline, MA
Brookline regulates noise under General By-Laws Article 8.15 (Noise Control). The bylaw prohibits Noise Pollution, defined as sound exceeding the Background ...
Brookline, MA
Brookline prohibits parking for more than 2 hours on streets between 6 AM and 1 AM (Sunday/holiday exempt). Overnight parking of more than 1 hour is prohibit...
Brookline, MA
Brookline issues commercial parking permits for $600/year allowing parking on designated residential side streets within 1/4 mile of a commercial district. T...
Brookline, MA
Brookline residents may use private driveways for personal vehicles. The overnight street parking ban applies to those without off-street parking. Blocking a...
See how Brookline's open carry rules stack up against other locations.
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