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1. WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A FIREARMS LICENSE?

A Massachusetts approved Firearm Safety Course is required for all residents of Massachusetts who wish to obtain the FID or LTC.  Anyone is eligible to take the safety course provided they are 15 years old and eligible to obtain a firearms license. In order to obtain a license, in general (and additional circumstances may apply), your record must be free of felonies and domestic abuse orders (209A).  Also if you have been convicted of drunk driving from 1994 to the present, you will only be eligible to apply for a FID license 5 years after you have served out the sentence you were given.

Please note, if an applicant is seeking a License To Carry without restrictions, it is strongly recommended they complete a Basic Safety Course with a Live-Fire component or an advanced firearms safety course to increase proficiency with carrying a concealed handgun on his/her person for defense, either in the home or workplace.

2. DO I NEED AN FID OR DO I HAVE TO TAKE A FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE TO CARRY PEPPER SPRAY/MACE?

No, unless you are under the age of 18. 

3. WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT TO OBTAIN AN FID/LTC?

New FID applicants must be 18 years or older (or 14–17 years of age with parental consent). Applicants 14 years old may apply, but will not be issued the card until they reach age 15)

21 to obtain an LTC.

4. WHERE CAN I OBTAIN THE PROPER APPLICATION FORM FOR NEW OR RENEWAL FID CARD OF LICENSE TO CARRY?

Please fill out the Massachusetts Resident LTC/FID/Machine Gun Application. Print the form, fill out ALL necessary information and bring it to the police station. Forms can also be obtained at the Longmeadow Police station. 

5. HOW LONG IS AN LTC OR FID CARD GOOD FOR?

Six years. 

6. DO I HAVE TO NOTIFY THE POLICE OF A CHANGE OF ADDRESS?

Yes. You must notify, in writing, the licensing authority who issued the license, the chief of police into whose jurisdiction you move to and the Executive Director of the Criminal History Systems Board. Notification must be by certified mail within 30 days. 

7. I JUST MOVED INTO MASSACHUSETTS. DO I NEED A LICENSE RIGHT AWAY?

Not right away. You can possess any firearm, rifle or shotgun for up to 60 days without a LTC or FID card. You cannot lawfully carry these items, you can only possess them. 

8. IF I AM OUT IN PUBLIC CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM, I LEGALLY POSSESS A LTC, AND A POLICE OFFICER REQUESTS THAT I SHOW MY LTC, DO I HAVE TO PRODUCE IT?

Yes. This is true for both LTC and FID cards. You must produce a valid license on demand.  If you do not, the police can take your firearm until you produce such license. However, any inappropriate act while carrying a firearm may result in the immediate revocation of the license. 

9. I HAVE A VALID CLASS B LTC, CAN I CARRY A LOADED FIREARM IN MY VEHICLE?

No. The weapon must be unloaded and contained within the locked trunk or in a locked case. This carries a $500 fine if violated. 

10. I HAVE A VALID CLASS A LTC, ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON CARRYING A LOADED FIREARM IN A VEHICLE?

In order to carry a loaded firearm, you must have a Class A LTC- Non Restricted.  Carrying a loaded firearm under a Class A license must be under your direct control.  It cannot be under the seat, in the trunk, etc. This carries a $500 fine if violated. 

11. WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RULE TO REMEMBER WHILE IN POSSESSION OF FIREARMS IN MASSACHUSETTS?

Massachusetts has very strict firearms storage laws.  If you are the lawful owner of a firearm and it is not under your direct control, the firearm(s) must be secured so that it is "inoperable by any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user".  That means that if you do not have the firearm within arms reach it should be "secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock".  NEVER leave a firearm unattended unless it is secured in an appropriate container or with an appropriate lock.

The laws for transporting a firearm differ.  If you have an unrestricted LTC you may ONLY transport a loaded handgun under your direct control on a public way.  If you do not have an unrestricted LTC or if you are transporting rifles or shotguns, all firearms (handguns, rifles and shotguns) MUST be unloaded and in a locked container.   A locked trunk or rear storage area (out of reach by the driver and passengers) complies with this rule however, having the firearms in a locked container prevents misunderstandings that might occur in the event of a mechanical breakdown or traffic stop by a Law Enforcement Officer.  Also, note that having the firearm only secured with tamper-resistant mechanical lock DOES NOT comply with the rule.