Massachusetts permit process

How To Get Your Massachusetts Concealed Carry Permit

Whether you're new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed handgun permit may seem daunting. It doesn't have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing Massachusetts's concealed carry laws. Applying for a LTC varies by state.

Read about the process for getting a Massachusetts License to Carry below.

Steps To Get A Massachusetts Concealed Carry Permit

1

COMPLETE an approved basic firearms safety course

2

DOWNLOAD the application

3

CONTACT your local firearms licensing office for its specific requirements. Non-residents must apply in-person at the Firearms Records Bureau for first time applicants and then once every six years thereafter. You will likely need the following documents:

  • Completed application
  • Firearms safety course certificate
  • Fingerprint cards
  • A form of ID
  • Proof of residency, if required
  • Application fee


4

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX and keep tabs on your phone.

You will be notified by your local licensing authority when your firearms license application has been processed, either by telephone or by mail. You may need to pick up your firearms license in person.

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What Are the Firearms Training Requirements in Massachusetts?

Applicants must complete training for a Firearms Identification (FID) card or LTC.

A course used as a prerequisite for an FID shall use rifles and/or shotguns as the primary subject matter of the curriculum. A course used as a prerequisite for an LTC shall use pistols and/or revolvers as the primary subject matter of the curriculum. Course curriculums that do not contain a firearms-related law component can meet Department of State Police curriculum criteria by utilizing guest speakers familiar with firearms laws or by utilizing or distributing to its students written informational pamphlets/books/videos by an entity/individual familiar with firearms laws to cover that portion of the course.


Exemptions: Training requirements do not apply to:


  • Any officer, agent or employee of the commonwealth or any state of the United States
  • Any member of the military or other service of any state or of the U.S.
  • Any duly authorized law enforcement officer, agent or employee of any municipality of the commonwealth, provided that any such person described in the above clauses, inclusive, is authorized by a competent authority to carry or possess the weapon so carried or possessed and is acting within the scope of his duties


Effective Jan. 1, 2021, a current member of the United States military or the Massachusetts National Guard who has not been prohibited under said Section 129B from owning a firearm and has received adequate training while serving in the military shall be exempt from being required to submit a basic firearms safety certificate to the licensing authority upon submitting a copy of the member’s most current military identification form.


Be sure to verify that any firearms training you receive in order to obtain your license is approved by the state of Massachusetts.

What Are the Massachusetts License to Carry a Handgun Requirements?

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.

What are the Fees and Terms?

$100 for Initial License

40 Day Processing Time

Valid for Six Years from Date of Issue

$100 for Renewals

Where Can I Find Application Forms?

What Concealed Carry Permit Options Exist Based on Residency?

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:

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

Residency Changes:

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.

 

How Do I Renew My Concealed Carry Permit in Massachusetts?

Renewals are the responsibility of the licensee. You must renew your resident firearms license to carry or firearms identification card through your local police department in the town where you reside. You must submit your renewal application prior to the expiration date of your current license. If submitted prior to expiration, you will have an indefinite grace period in which your current license will remain valid after expiration. This grace period will stay in effect until the submitted application for renewal is either approved or denied by the licensing authority. If you do not submit your application for renewal prior to expiration of your current license, that license will expire and no longer be valid and you will need to apply for a new FID or LTC.

Non-resident and resident alien firearms licenses expire annually and must be renewed through the Firearms Records Bureau. There is no grace period for non-resident firearms licenses or resident alien permits.

1

Renewal applications must be submitted before the expiration date on your permit. If submitted before the expiration date, you will have an indefinite grace period and your license will remain valid until you receive your approval or denial. If you do not submit your application for renewal prior to expiration of your current license, that license will expire and no longer be valid and you will need to apply for a new FID or LTC.


Non-resident and resident alien firearms licenses expire annually and must be renewed through the Firearms Records Bureau. There is no grace period for non-resident firearms licenses or resident alien permits.

2

COMPLETE your appropriate LTC application form (Resident, Non-Resident).

3

SUBMIT your application and the required application fee.

You may need to submit:

  • A Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Course certificate
  • A form of identification
  • Proof of residence

Residents must mail the complete renewal package to your local licensing authority.


Non-Residents and Resident Aliens must mail the complete renewal package to the Firearms Records Bureau at:

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services

Firearms Records Bureau

200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200

Chelsea, MA 02150

4

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX.

You will be notified within 60 days (90 days for Non-Residents and Resident Aliens) when your firearms license application has been processed, either by telephone or by mail. You may need to pick up your firearms license in person.

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Make sure you understand Massachusetts Gun Laws and Massachusetts concealed carry reciprocity with other states.