Are Launchers and Projectiles Legal In Massachusetts?

Launchers and Projectiles in MA is Legal.

Status not settled - confirm before purchasing or carrying Massachusetts has no statute that squarely addresses CO2-powered projectile launchers. We are not able to state the legal status of a pepper-ball or kinetic launcher in Massachusetts with confidence, and we recommend confirming with the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, your local licensing authority, or your own counsel before purchasing or carrying one. OC-loaded configuration: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, Section 121 defines self-defense spray as "chemical mace, pepper spray or any device or instrument which contains, propels or emits a liquid, gas, powder or other substance designed to incapacitate" - language broad enough on its face to reach a device propelling an OC payload. Section 122D, however, describes the covered items as chemical mace, pepper spray or other similarly propelled liquid, gas or powder, which reads as aerosol-oriented. No case or agency guidance resolves which reading governs. If the self-defense spray framework applies, persons 18 and over may purchase and possess without a firearms card, persons under 18 need a self-defense spray permit under Section 121F, prohibited persons under Section 121F(j) may not possess, and retail sale requires a seller license under Section 122. Kinetic-only configuration: The self-defense spray statutes would not apply. The closest framework is the air rifle and BB gun scheme in ch. 269, Sections 12A-12B, under which no person under 18 may possess such a device in a place to which the public has a right of access unless accompanied by an adult or holding a sporting licence plus a police chief's permit, and no person may discharge a projectile into, from, or across any street, alley, public way, or railroad. Open question: The definition of "firearm" in ch. 140, Section 121 was rewritten in 2024 and now reads "designed to or may readily be converted to expel a shot or bullet," with no propellant qualifier. Whether that reaches a CO2 launcher has not been resolved by any authority we located, and it is the highest-consequence open question for this state. Massachusetts weapons law is restrictive by default. Its silence on CO2 launchers should not be read as permission. Statute last amended: July 25, 2024 (Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, "An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws," approved by the Governor July 25, 2024, which rewrote both the firearm and self-defense spray definitions in Section 121). The official section pages publish no per-section amendment history or currency date. Official source (Massachusetts General Laws): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Section122D Definitions: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Section121 Verified against those sources: August 26, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change. Confirm current requirements with Massachusetts authorities or your own counsel before purchasing or carrying.