Massachusetts Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien;
• Be a suitable person to be issued such license, and have good reason to fear injury to his or her person or property, or for any other reason, including the carrying of firearms for use in sport or target practice only;
• Complete a firearms training course;
• Not have been convicted or adjudicated a youthful offender or delinquent child;
• Not have been committed to a hospital or institution for mental illness, alcohol or substance abuse, unless after 5 years the applicant submits an affidavit from a registered physician endorsing his or her ability to possess a firearm;
• Not be subject to an order of the probate court appointing a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated person on the grounds that the applicant lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage the applicant’s affairs;
• Not be subject to a temporary or emergency restraining order or order of protection;
• Not have any outstanding warrants;
• Not have been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under dishonorable conditions;
• Not be a fugitive from justice; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Massachusetts.

Initial License and Renewals $100

6 years

40 days

Link to Resident LTC/FID application

The process is similar to that for residents, although an in-person appearance at the Firearms Records Bureau is necessary for first time applicants and then once every 6 years thereafter. Processing may take up to 90 days. You will still need to renew your LTC annually, however, the application will be processed solely by mail until the next required in-person appearance. Non-resident LTCs are valid for only 1 year. Non-residents are notified by mail when firearms license applications have been processed.

First time applicants must submit a copy of a certificate showing completion of a Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Course. This course must have been taken with an instructor who is certified by the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police. 

Non-resident licenses can have restrictions placed on them depending on the information provided in your application. They include employment, target and hunting and “other” restrictions.

Link to Non-resident LTC application

Complete and mail a copy of the Change of Address Form to all of the following:

• The licensing authority that issued your firearms license;
• The Chief of Police of the city or town that you moved to; and
• The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.

There is also a Firearms License Address Change Hotline at (617) 660-4722.

Contact your issuing authority.

Moving to Massachusetts and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?
Massachusetts issues resident and non-resident licenses, so you can apply for your license at any time. You may need to provide proof that you reside in or have a place of business in the state for a resident license. 

Moving from Massachusetts and have a Massachusetts resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Massachusetts license remains valid?
If a person with a Massachusetts license to carry establishes residency in another state, the license is valid until it expires provided you submit the above referenced change of address form.