D. Mass. · FirearmsFY2018–FY2025
Districts › District of Massachusetts
Firearms in the District of Massachusetts
D. Mass. · First Circuit · Firearms nationally
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms
Interquartile range 20–60 months; mean 43. 0 cases at the Commission's 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
349 firearms offences were sentenced in the District of Massachusetts across 8 fiscal years (FY2018–FY2025), 44 of them in FY2025; that is 9% of the district's caseload.
The median prison term was 37 months (3 yr 1 mo), close to the national median for firearms offences (41 months) and close to the First Circuit median (33). Half of prison terms fell between 20 and 60 months; — of cases carried a prison term.
36% of these sentences were within the guideline range (nationally for this offence type: 52%); 26% were below the range on a government motion and 33% below it for other reasons.
FY2025 had more cases than FY2018 (44 against 36). The median prison term was about the same in FY2025 as in FY2018.
These are aggregates of past cases. The guideline range for any case depends on its offence level, criminal history and statutory minimums, and the sentence on the court's findings; no figure here estimates an outcome.
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 36%Above range 5%Below range, government sponsored 26%Below range, other 33%Not determinable 0
§ 4Compared with the district, the circuit and the nation
| Measure | D. Mass., firearms | D. Mass., all offences | 1st Cir., firearms | US, firearms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases per fiscal year | 44 | 481 | 243 | 8,251 |
| Share of district caseload | 9.1% | 100% | — | — |
| Median prison months | 37 | 30 | 33 | 41 |
| Mean prison months | 43 | 50 | — | 53 |
| Cases with a prison term | — | 93% | 94% | 94% |
| Within guideline range | 36% | 29% | 51% | 52% |
| Above range | 5% | 3% | 12% | 6% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 26% | 33% | 19% | 17% |
| Below range, other | 33% | 36% | 19% | 26% |
| Median final offence level | 19 | 21 | — | 19 |
§ 5Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 36 | — | 42 | 44% | — | 28% | — |
| FY2019 | 48 | — | 30 | 44% | — | 46% | 0% |
| FY2020 | 39 | 100% | 30 | 44% | — | 44% | — |
| FY2021 | 45 | 100% | 32 | 33% | — | 47% | — |
| FY2022 | 57 | — | 37 | 25% | 39% | 32% | — |
| FY2023 | 34 | — | 45 | — | 50% | — | — |
| FY2024 | 46 | — | 42 | 33% | 39% | — | — |
| FY2025 | 44 | — | 45 | 41% | 25% | 30% | — |
§ 6Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: firearms offences nationally.
§ 7Guidelines applied
- §2K2.1 Unlawful receipt, possession or transportation of firearms or ammunition · 345 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §none · 95 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X3.1 Accessory after the fact · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
Primary guidelines the Commission associates with this offence type, with the district's caseload under each across all offence types.
§ 8Questions and answers
What is the typical sentence for firearms offences in the District of Massachusetts?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 37 months (3 yr 1 mo), with the middle half of terms between 20 and 60 months. — of cases carried a prison term. The national median for firearms offences is 41 months.
How often are firearms offences sentenced below the guideline range here?
26% of sentences were below the range on a government motion and 33% below it for other reasons; 36% were within the range. The Commission's categories are explained in the guide to how the guidelines work.
How does this compare with the rest of the country?
Nationally, firearms offences had a median prison term of 41 months and a within-range share of 52% over the same period. The district's figures are close to on median term and lower than the national within-range share.
Which guidelines are involved?
The most common primary guidelines for these cases are §2K2.1, §none and §2X3.1.
Is this a prediction for a particular case?
No. The figures are aggregates of sentences already imposed, as recorded by the US Sentencing Commission. They are not legal advice and do not estimate the outcome of any case.
§ 9Other offence types in the District of Massachusetts
- Drug Trafficking 1,423
- Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement 660
- Immigration 364
- Money Launder 230
- Tax 123
- Child Pornography 120
- Robbery 90
- Sex Abuse 77
- Extortion/Racketeering 60
- Assault 59
- Bribery/Corruption 39
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 13; district is CIRCDIST 03. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.