Massachusetts Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

In Massachusetts, which one of the following best defines a 'large capacity weapon'?

1. Any firearm with a magazine capacity over 10 rounds

2. Any rifle with a capacity over 5 rounds

3. Any semi-automatic firearm

4. Any firearm without a fixed magazine

The correct answer is: Any firearm with a magazine capacity over 10 rounds

The definition of a "large capacity weapon" in Massachusetts specifically refers to any firearm that has a magazine capacity of more than 10 rounds. This definition is rooted in Massachusetts law, which aims to regulate firearms and limit high-capacity magazines to enhance public safety and reduce the potential for mass shootings. The other options, while related to different aspects of firearm capacities or types, do not align with the legal definition established in Massachusetts. For example, defining a rifle based on its capacity over 5 rounds does not reflect the legal threshold for large capacity weapons. Similarly, identifying any semi-automatic firearm or firearms without a fixed magazine fails to accurately capture the parameters set forth in the state's regulations regarding magazine capacity. Thus, the correct choice provides a clear and specific understanding of what constitutes a large capacity weapon in Massachusetts.