Firearms Licensing

The state legislature made sweeping and extensive changes to the Commonwealth’s gun laws in 1998. The laws are multi-faceted and complex, and this website is offered for informational purposes only. It is not offered as any definite legal position, guarantee of issuance or binding legal interpretation by the Great Barrington Police Department. If you have a specific legal issue regarding ownership, possession or transportation as well as eligibility (or lack thereof) for various types of firearms you are advised to speck to a lawyer for a qualified legal opinion.

Steps to Follow in Applying for a License
All applications for firearms licenses are done in person at the police station. You must be a resident of Great Barrington to apply. You will be required to show proof of residency.

Applications will ask for biographical information and will request address and contact information for two personal references (non-relatives). Please have that information available including telephone numbers. Applications will be filled out on-line at your interview so it is not necessary to fill one out beforehand. However we do strongly advise that you review it on-line prior to coming in so that you know what questions will be asked of you. All answers are given under pains of perjury and any incorrect information can be grounds for disapproval of your application request. Failure to disclose any and all criminal history record(s) is grounds for disapproval. Failure to answer Question #10 fully and completely is grounds for disapproval. Applications can be found at on-line at the Firearms Records Bureau website.

The first step in the process is to contact the Great Barrington Police Department, Firearms and Licensing Unit in order to schedule an appointment for an interview, and for additional requirements. To schedule an appointment or for further questions, you may call 413-528-0306 (ext. 6) to speak with the licensing person. All permits that are issued are valid for six years.

Fees:

• Firearms Identification Card (FID Card) $100 (no charge on renewals if you are70 years of age or older)
• Firearms Identification Card-Restricted $25 (no charge for renewals)
• Firearms Identification Card-Ages 15-18 ($25)
• License to Carry Firearms (LTC) $100 (no charge on renewals if you are 70 years of age or older)
• Dealers License (including Gunsmiths $100
• License to Sell Ammunition $100

All checks will be made out to the Town of Great Barrington. No cash or credit cards accepted. Fees are non-refundable.

The licensing authority of the police department reviews the applications. The processing time for all applications is 30-45 days. Renewal applicants are advised to make an appointment at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on their license. There is no grace period for expired licenses unless you have begun the application process.

Applicants will be notified by telephone once the application process is completed.

If you have a License to Carry Firearms (LTC) or a Firearms Identification Card (FID) and you need to renew you will need to bring the following:

• Your current LTC or FID
• Your Massachusetts driver’s license with a Great Barrington address
• $100 check payable to the Town of Great Barrington (if you are over 70 years of age or if you are renewing a Restricted FID for chemical sprays only, there is no charge).

FID Card (Class C)

Allows you to possess non-large capacity rifles, shotguns, and Mace or chemical sprays. Weapons that exceed these limits require a Class B LTC or above to possess.

Ages 15-18 must bring a check for $25 and written permission from a parent or guardian to apply for a license. See Forms, etc. You also need a Basic Firearms Safety Course certificate or one from the Environmental Police. Such parent or guardian must accompany the minor child to the station for the application.

FID Card restricted (mace, chemical spray only (Class D License) RED RED

Allows you to purchase, possess and carry Mace, or any other chemical spray which is designed for use on humans. Valid for six years. There is no renewal fee for this license. The license does not allow you to possess or carry any type of firearm, shotgun or handgun. You must bring a check for $25.

LTC Class A

Allows holder to possess and carry Mace, and chemical sprays, non-large and large capacity rifles and shotguns, and non-large and large capacity handguns. You must be age 21 or older to apply.

IMPORTANT:

Before applying for all of the above licenses (except the Class D FID Card restricted) applicants must have completed a certified Basic Firearms Safety Course approved by the Massachusetts State Police. These approved course issue a page size certificate with the words “Department of State Police” at the top. These are the only certificates accepted for applications. **

Only Massachusetts courses are accepted. There are several classes being given in other states that claim to be acceptable in Massachusetts, but they are not. **The Environmental Police conduct “Hunter Safety Courses” and their certificates are also acceptable. Check with local sportsman’s clubs or go to www.goal.org to find a certified course. The Firearms Records Bureau also has a list of instructors on their website.

Non-residents

Persons who are non-residents of Massachusetts may apply directly to the Criminal history Systems Board (CHSB) for a non-residential license to carry firearms. This permit is valid for one year. You may contact the CHSB at 617-660-4638 for an application.

Change of Address

If you possess an LTC or an FID Card you are required to make notification if you move within 30 days of its occurrence. You must send written notification. Forms can be found on-line at the Firearms Records Bureau website.

1. A CONVICTION (OR ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT OR AS A YOUTHFUL OFFENDER) FOR A FELONY, A MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE BY MORE THAN TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT, A VIOLENT CRIME AS DEFINED IN SECTION 121; OR
2. A VIOLATION OF ANY LAW REGULATING THE USE, POSSESSION, OWNERSHIP, TRANSFER, PURCHASE, SALE, LEASE, RENTAL, RECEIPT, OR TRANSPORTATION OF WEAPONS OR AMMUNITION FOR WHICH A TERM OF IMPRISONENT MAY BE IMPOSED; OR
3. A VIOLATION OF ANY LAW REGULATING THE USE, POSSESSION, OR SALE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1 OF CHAPER 94C INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A VIOLATION UNDER SAID CHAPTER 94C;
   EXCEPTION: EXCEPT FOR THE COMMISSION OF A VIOLENT CRIME OR A CRIME INVOLVING THE TRAFFICKING OF WEAPONS OR DRUGS, FIVE YEARS AFTER RELEASE FROM CONFINEMENT, PROBATION OR PAROLE THIS DISQUALIFIER IS REMOVED.
4. CONFINEMENT TO ANY HOSPITAL OR INSTITUTION FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, UNLESS YOU SUBMIT AN AFFIDAVIT OF A REGISTERED PHYSICIAN ATTESTING THAT SUCH PHYSICIAN IS FAMILIAR WITH YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS AND THAT IN SUCH PHYSICIAN’S OPINION YOU ARE NOT DISABLED BY SUCH ILLNESS IN A MANNER THAT SHOULD PREVENT YOU FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN.
5. ARE OR HAVE BEEN UNDER TREATMENT FOR OR CONFINEMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION OR HABITUAL DRUNKENNESS.
   EXCEPTION: UPON THE PASSAGE OF 5 (FIVE) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF CONFINEMENT OR TREATMENT AND UPON PRESENTATION OF AN AFFIDAVIT ISSUED BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN TO THE EFFECT THAT HE OR SHE KNOWS YOUR HISTORY OF TREATMENT AND IN HIS OR HER OPINION YOU ARE DEEMED CURED, THIS DISQUALIFIER IS REMOVED.
6. LESS THAN 18 (EIGHTEEN) YEARS OF AGE FOR AN FID CARD.
   EXCEPTION: IF YOU ARE 15, 16 OR 17 YEARS OLD, AND SUBMIT A NOTARIZED LETTER
   FROM YOUR PARENT OR GUARDIAN GRANTING THE APPLICANTS PERMISSION TO
   APPLY FOR A CARD.
7. ARE AN ALIEN.
8. ARE CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT TO AN ORDER FOR SUSPENSION OR SURRENDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3B OR 3C OF CHAPTER 209A OR A SIMILAR ORDER ISSUED BY ANOTHER JURISDICTION, OR A PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY PROTECTION ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 209A OR A SIMILAR ORDER ISSUED BY ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
9. ARE CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF AN OUTSTANDING ARREST WARRANT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL JURISDICTION.

DISQUALIFIERS FOR ALL OTHER LICENSES (CLASS A LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS, CLASS B LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS, PERMIT TO PURCHASE AND LICENSE TO POSSESS A MACHINE GUN).

WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS, THE DISQUALIFIERS ARE THE SAME AS THE DISQUALIFIERS

1. THE EXCEPTION IN PARAGRAPH 1 ABOVE DOES NOT APPLY HERE. ANY FELONY CONVICTION, A MISDEMEANOR CONVICTION PUNISHABLE BY MORE THAN (2) TWO YEARS IN PRISON, A VIOLENT CRIME CONVICTION PUNISHABLE BY MORE THAN 1 YEAR IN JAIL OR A WEAPONS OR DRUG OFFENSE CONVICTION DISQUALIFIES YOU FOR LIFE FROM OBTAINING ONE OF THESE LICENSES.
2. ARE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE, YOU MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO APPLY FOR AN LTC.

“VIOLENT CRIME” – SHALL MEAN ANY CRIME PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM EXCEEDING ONE YEAR, OR ANY ACT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY INVOLVING THE USE OR POSSESSION OF ANY DEADLY WEAPON THAT WOULD BE PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT FOR SUCH TERM IS COMMITTED BY AN ADULT, THAT HAS AS AN ELEMENT THE USE, ATTEMPTED USE OR THREATENED USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE OR A DEADLY WEAPON AGAINST THE PERSON OF ANOTHER IN BURGLARY, EXTORTION, ARSON OR KIDNAPPING, INVOLVES THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES, OR OTHERWISE INVOLVES CONDUCT THAT PRESENTS A SERIOUS RISK OF PHYSICAL INJURY TO ANOTHER. A SIMPLE ASSAULT AND BATTERY IS CONSIDERED A VIOLENT

Misdemeanor Conviction Disqualifier for FID cards and LTC’s

Under Massachusetts law, misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment for more than two years;
include the following offenses:

• Crimes Against the Person:
  • Assault (c. 265, § 13A)
  • Assault & Battery (c. 265, § 13A)
  • A&B on Public Employee (c. 265, § 13D)
  • A&B on Ambulance Personnel (c. 265, § 13I)
  • Permitting Injury to a Child (c. 265, § 13J)
  • Gross Negligence by Common Carrier (c. 265, § 30)
  • A&B/Property Damage to Intimidate (c. 265, § 39)
  • Causing Injury in a Physical Exercise Program (c. 265, § 40) Resisting Arrest (c. 268, § 32B)
• Crimes Against Property :
  • False Statement to Insurer (c. 266, § 11B)
  • Failure to Report Hotel Fire (c. 266, 13A)
  • Larceny from Common Carrier/Business (c. 266, § 30(1))
  • Larceny Under $250 from Elder/Disabled Person (c. 266, § 30(5))
  • Shoplifting Over $100 (c. 266, § 30A)
  • Falsely Obtaining Commercial Computer Service(c. 266, § 33A)
  • Receipt of Deposit by Insolvent Bank (c. 266, § 54)
  • Receiving Stolen Property Under $250 (c. 266, § 60)
  • Obstruction of Medical Facility – Subseq. Offense (c. 266, § 120E)
  • Wanton Destruction Property Over $250 (c. 266, § 127)
  • Destruction Church/School Property (c. 266, § 127A)
  • Destruction Jail Property (c. 266, § 130)
• Motor Vehicle Offenses:
  • Operating after Suspension for OUI/MVH, etc. (c. 90, § 23)
  • Operating Under the Influence (c. 90, § 24(1)) – AFTER MAY 1994
  • Motor Vehicle Homicide While OUI and OTE (c. 90, § 24G(b))
  • OUI with Serious Bodily Injury (c. 90, § 24L(2))
  • OUI on a Vessel (c. 90B, § 8(a))
  • OUI on a Vessel With Serious Bodily Injury (c. 90B, § 8A(1))
  • Homicide by Vessel While OUI and OTE (c. 90B, § 8B(2))

1 Excluding weapons related and controlled substance offenses, which are disqualifiers on a separate basis.
2 Please note that this list may not be exhaustive. When in doubt, reference should be made to the current version of the relevant statute.

• Effective June 1, 1998, all new firearm license applicants must complete a certified firearms safety or hunter education course.
• Effective October 21, 1998, all firearms must be stored in a locked container or be equipped with an approved locking device.
• Effective October 21, 1998, the law imposes a ban on covert guns, unreliable guns (junk guns), and certain assault weapons.
• Effective October 21, 1998, the law establishes a new category of large capacity weapons and feeding devices. A weapon is large capacity if it is: a semiautomatic handgun or rifle that is capable of accepting a feeding device that hold more than 10 rounds, or more than 5 shotgun shells (in case of a shotgun)