In Boston under a vague law it is unlawful to possess, display, transfer, or receive, without a license granted by the Boston Police Commissioner:
- Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder and/or a capacity exceeding six rounds.
- A semiautomatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds.
- Any SKS, AK47, UZI, AR-15, Steyr AUG, FN-FAL, and FN-FNC rifle.
- Any semiautomatic pistol which is a modification of a proscribed rifle or shotgun with a shorter barrel or no stock, and any magazine or belt which holds more than 10 rounds.
An "assault weapons roster board" may add additional firearms to the list of so-called "assault weapons."
Such firearms must have been registered with the Boston Police Commissioner within 90 days of the effective date of the law (12/9/89), or they are unlawful.
An owner of a firearm added to the roster of assault weapons must obtain a license to possess it within 90 days of its addition, or it becomes unlawful.
The provision does not apply to possession by non-residents of Boston at a sporting or shooting club by persons who possess the requisite state license to carry.
It also does not apply to persons taking part in competition or at a collectors’ exhibit or meeting or traveling to or from such event or while in transit through Boston for the purpose of hunting by licensed hunter, provided that in all cases the "assault weapon" is unloaded and packaged and the person has a Massachusetts FID card or has a license or permit to carry or possess firearms issued by another state.