Massachusetts Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

Who is responsible for conducting the background check when purchasing a firearm in Massachusetts?

1. The seller

2. The Massachusetts State Police

3. The Federal Bureau of Investigation

4. The local police department

The correct answer is: The local police department

In Massachusetts, the responsibility for conducting background checks when purchasing a firearm typically falls to the seller. When a firearm is sold, the seller must perform a background check through the Massachusetts State Police. This process involves checking the buyer's eligibility to own a firearm based on state and federal laws. While the local police department plays a role in the overall regulation of firearm transfers and can be involved in certain aspects of law enforcement, they are not directly responsible for conducting background checks in retail firearm sales. Instead, it is primarily through the seller, who coordinates with the Massachusetts State Police to ensure that all necessary background checks are completed before the sale can proceed. This reflects the system designed to ensure public safety by verifying that the purchaser does not have any disqualifying factors for firearm ownership.