§ 122D — Persons prohibited from purchase or possession of self-defense spray; penalty for violation

Massachusetts § 122D

• Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
• Part I: ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
• Title XX: PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOOD ORDER
• Ch. 140: LICENSES

Text

[ Text of section effective until October 2, 2024. For text effective October 2, 2024, see below.]Section 122D. No person shall purchase or possess self-defense spray who:(i) in a court of the commonwealth, has been convicted or adjudicated a youthful offender or delinquent child as defined in section 52 of chapter 119 for the commission of: (A) a felony; (B) a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for more than 2 years; (C) a violent crime as defined in section 121; (D) a violation of a law regulating the use, possession, ownership, transfer, purchase, sale, lease, rental, receipt or transportation of weapons or ammunition for which a term of imprisonment may be imposed; or (E) a violation of a law regulating the use, possession or sale of a controlled substance as defined in section 1 of chapter 94C including, but not limited to, a violation under said chapter 94C; provided, however, that except for the commission of a violent crime or a crime involving the trafficking of controlled substances, if the person has been so convicted or adjudicated or released from confinement, probation or parole supervision for such conviction or adjudication, whichever occurs last, for 5 or more years immediately preceding the purchase or possession, that person may purchase or possess self-defense spray;(ii) in another state or federal jurisdiction, has been convicted or adjudicated a youthful offender or delinquent child for the commission of: (A) a felony; (B) a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for more than 2 years; (C) a violent crime as defined in section 121; (D) a violation of a law regulating the use, possession, ownership, transfer, purchase, sale, lease, rental, receipt or transportation of weapons or ammunition for which a term of imprisonment may be imposed; or (E) a violation of a law regulating the use, possession or sale of a controlled substance as defined in section 1 of chapter 94C; provided, however, that, except for the commission of a violent crime or a crime involving the trafficking of weapons or controlled substances, if the person has been so convicted or adjudicated or released from confinement, probation or parole supervision for such conviction or adjudication, whichever occurs last, for 5 or more years immediately preceding the purchase or possession and that applicant's right or ability to possess a rifle or shotgun has been fully restored in the jurisdiction wherein the subject conviction or adjudication was entered, then that person may purchase or possess self-defense spray;(iii) has been committed to any hospital or institution for mental illness unless the person obtains, prior to purchase or possession, an affidavit of a licensed physician or clinical psychologist attesting that such physician or psychologist is familiar with the applicant's mental illness and that in the physician's or psychologist's opinion the applicant is not disabled by such an illness in a manner that shall prevent the applicant from possessing self-defense spray;(iv) is or has been in recovery from or committed based upon a finding that the person is a person with an alcohol use disorder or a substance use disorder or both unless a licensed physician or clinical psychologist deems such person to be in recovery from such condition, in which case, such person may purchase or possess self-defense spray after 5 years from the date of such confinement or recovery; provided, however, that prior to such purchase or possession of self-defense spray, the applicant shall submit an affidavit issued by a licensed physician or clinical psychologist attesting that such physician or psychologist knows the person's history of treatment and that in that physician's or psychologist's opinion the applicant is in recovery;(v) at the time of the application, is younger than 15 years of age;(vi) at the time of the application, is at least 15 years of age but less than 18 years of age unless the applicant submits with the application a certificate from the applicant's parent or guardian granting the applicant permission to apply for a card;(vii) is an alien who does not maintain lawful permanent residency or is an alien not residing under a visa pursuant to 8 U.S.C § 1101(a)(15)(U), or is an alien not residing under a visa pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1154(a)(1)(B)(ii)(I) or is an alien not residing under a visa pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(T)(i)(I)-(IV);(viii) is currently subject to: (1) an order for suspension or surrender issued pursuant to section 3B or 3C of chapter 209A or section 7 of chapter 258E; or (2) a permanent or temporary protection order issued pursuant to chapter 209A or section 7 of chapter 258E; or(ix) is currently the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant in any state or federal jurisdiction.Whoever purchases or possesses self-defense spray in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than 2 years or both such fine and imprisonment.Chapter 140: Section 122D. Persons prohibited from purchase or possession of self-defense spray; permit; change of address[ Text of section as amended by 2024, 135, Sec. 36 effective October 2, 2024. For text effective until October 2, 2024, see above.]Section 122D. (a) No person under 18 years of age may purchase or possess self-defense spray without a self-defense spray permit issued by a licensing authority in accordance with section 121F. A self-defense spray permit shall be valid to purchase and possess self-defense spray, including all chemical mace, pepper spray or other similarly propelled liquid, gas or powder designed to temporarily incapacitate.(b) A local licensing authority may issue to a person at least 15 years of age but less than 18 years a self-defense spray permit if the person is not a prohibited person or unsuitable under section 121F. A self-defense spray permit shall be issued for the sole purpose of purchasing and possessing self-defense spray and shall clearly state that it is valid for such limited purpose only. This permit may be issued to a person at least 12 years of age but less than 15 years if the person is not a prohibited person or unsuitable under section 121F and if the applicant submits with their application a certificate from the applicant's parent or guardian granting permission to apply for this permit.(c) A self-defense spray permit shall be valid for a period of 3 years and shall expire on the anniversary of the permit holder's date of birth occurring not less than 3 years nor more than 4 years from the date of issue. Any permit issued to an applicant born on February 29 shall expire on March 1.(d) A permit holder shall report any change of address via the electronic firearm registration system administered by the commissioner of the department of criminal justice information services. Such notification shall be made on the portal within 30 days of its occurrence. Failure to so notify shall be cause for revocation or suspension of such permit.