Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 12B (2026)

Air rifles; possession by minors; shooting

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 12B. No minor under the age of eighteen shall have an air rifle or so-called BB gun in his possession while in any place to which the public has a right of access unless he is accompanied by an adult or unless he is the holder of a sporting or hunting license and has on his person a permit from the chief of police of the town in which he resides granting him the right of such possession. No person shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or so-called BB gun into, from or across any street, alley, public way or railroad or railway right of way, and no minor under the age of eighteen shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or BB gun unless he is accompanied by an adult or is the holder of a sporting or hunting license. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, and the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall be confiscated. Upon a conviction of a violation of this section the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall, by the written authority of the court, be forwarded to the colonel of the state police, who may dispose of said article in the same manner as prescribed in section ten.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 13 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1977–2025 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Garrett, 473 Mass. 257 (Mass. 2015).

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Commonwealth v. Garrett, 473 Mass. 257 (Mass. 2015). · cites it 5× “269, § 12A (“Air rifles; sale to minors”); G. L. c. 269, § 12B (“Air rifles; possession by minors; shooting”).”

Commonwealth v. Gouse, 965 N.E.2d 774 (Mass. 2012). “140, § 13IF]; or (4) having complied with the provisions of [G.”

Commonwealth v. Rhodes, 451 N.E.2d 1151 (Mass. 1983). · cites it 3× “The motion to dismiss was allowed on the ground that G. L. c. 269, § 12B, contains the exclusive regulatory scheme for the use of air rifles and BB guns and that no violation of that section was charged with respect to this defendant.”

Commonwealth v. Jones, 361 N.E.2d 1308 (Mass. 1977). “140, §§ 129C and 131G, or with G. L. c. 269, § 12B. The cross references bring into play not only exceptions for holders of licenses but also the “exempted persons and uses” in G.”

Commonwealth v. Horne, 995 N.E.2d 773 (Mass. 2013). “140, § 192C] upon ownership or possession of rifles and shotguns; or “(6) having complied as to possession of an air rifle or BB gun with the requirements imposed by [G. L. c. 269, § 12B]; “shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than two and one-half…”

Commonwealth v. Sayers, 780 N.E.2d 24 (Mass. 2002). · cites it 3× “641 (1983), that “the provisions of G. L. c. 269, § 12B, contain the exclusive regulatory language governing the possession of air rifles and BB guns.”

Commonwealth v. Fenton, 478 N.E.2d 949 (Mass. 1985). · cites it 3× “We granted the Commonwealth’s application for further appellate review to consider whether G. L. c. 269, § 12B (1984 ed.), 1 is the exclusive statutory regulatory scheme *93 for all types of air guns.”

Gov't of the Virgin Islands v. King, 31 V.I. 78 (1995). “140, § 130 or § 131F, or complying with G.L. c. 269, § 12B.) When 23 V.I.C. § 470(c) was enacted in 1968, unlawful possession of firearms was prosecuted under 23 V.”

Dist. Attorney for the N. Dist. v. Superior Court Dep't, 122 N.E.3d 1051 (Mass. 2019). “269, §§ 11B, 11C (firearms with removed identification numbers); G. L. c. 269, § 12B (BB guns); G. L. c. 269, § 12D ( c ) (rifles and shotguns carried on public ways).”

Commonwealth v. Amorin, 440 N.E.2d 1305 (Mass. App. Ct. 1982). · cites it 5× “The defendant states that the only prohibition against the carrying of BB guns is that found in G. L. c. 269, § 12B, which forbids the possession of BB or air guns by a minor, except by permit or when under adult supervision.”

Shaw v. Martin, 16 Mass. L. Rptr. 188 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2003). · cites it 6× “269, §§12A, 12B (Count VII) The plaintiff claims Daniel violated G.L.c. 269, §12B, 4 by possessing the paint ball gun.”

CMJ Mgmt. Co. v. Wilkerson (Mass. App. Ct. 2017). · cites it 2× “The judge found that the juvenile's conduct was in violation of G. L. c. 269, § 12B, a criminal statute. 5,6 Wilkerson contends that because violation of c.”

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