Jonah Patel
Massachusetts is not a constitutional carry state. A License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification (FID) card is required to carry firearms in Massachusetts. However, there have been petitions to make Massachusetts a constitutional carry state, with proponents arguing that it would allow citizens to protect themselves from criminals with firearms. As of June 23, 2022, Massachusetts is a shall-issue state, meaning that licenses to carry are issued at local police stations or through the State Police Firearms Records Bureau for non-residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry state | No |
| Concealed carry laws | Legal with a CCW permit |
| License to Carry (LTC) | Required to purchase a firearm and ammunition |
| Firearm Identification (FID) card | Required to possess firearms |
| Background checks | Required to buy a handgun from a private individual |
| Open carry | Allowed for non-large capacity firearms with a Class B license |
| Licensing standards | Updated in 2022 following the Supreme Court's ruling on NYSRPA v. Bruen |
| License duration | Up to six years |
| License fee | Yes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Massachusetts is a shall-issue state
- Firearm Identification (FID) card or LTC is required to purchase a firearm
- Background checks are required to buy a handgun from a private individual
- A LTC is also required to buy ammunition
- Massachusetts does not allow the names and addresses of license holders to be made public
Massachusetts is a shall-issue state
Massachusetts has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. The state requires firearm owners to be licensed through their local police department or the Massachusetts State Police if no local licensing authority is available. Massachusetts residents 15 years and older who wish to possess, carry, and transport firearms, ammunition, and feeding devices are required to have a firearms license. All applications, interviews, fees, and fingerprinting are done at the local police department and are then sent electronically to the Massachusetts Criminal History Board for mandatory background checks and processing.
Massachusetts restricts the sale of handguns not appearing on an "approved firearms roster" issued periodically and prohibits the sale or possession of certain firearms deemed to be "assault weapons". Gun dealers may only sell handguns that appear on a state-approved firearms roster, although this does not prohibit LTC holders from lawfully possessing handguns not on the roster.
Massachusetts is a may-issue state, meaning that it requires a license to own a firearm and a separate license to carry. However, in June 2022, the US Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association ("NYSRPA") v. Bruen was interpreted as invalidating these specific aspects of Massachusetts's public carry licensing laws. As a result, Massachusetts may change its laws from "may issue" to "shall issue" concealed carry and handgun permits for people who are otherwise eligible. This means that Massachusetts residents who are qualified to own a firearm will likely be able to obtain a concealed carry permit without having to demonstrate "good cause," as is typically required in shall-issue states.
Massachusetts issues the following types of firearms licenses:
- Firearms Identification Card ("FID"): Permits the purchase of rifles and shotguns with a capacity of no more than 10 rounds and their carrying for hunting and sporting purposes. FIDs are shall issue, except if the applicant fails a background check.
- License to Carry ("LTC"): Allows the possession and purchase of handguns for permanent resident non-citizens (green card holders). Non-residents who plan on carrying firearms in the state must apply for a temporary LTC through the Massachusetts State Police before their travel.
Idaho's Constitutional Carry: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Firearm Identification (FID) card or LTC is required to purchase a firearm
In Massachusetts, a Firearm Identification (FID) card or License to Carry (LTC) is required to purchase a firearm. The state is a "shall-issue" one, meaning that licenses are issued at local police stations or, for non-residents, through the State Police Firearms Records Bureau. Massachusetts residents aged 15 and older who wish to possess, carry, and transport firearms, ammunition, and feeding devices are required to have a firearms license. Those aged 15-17 can apply with parental consent, while anyone 18 and older can apply without it.
A firearms license is also required to carry or possess firearms in Massachusetts. This includes both residents and non-residents. The LTC entitles the holder (aged 21 and over) to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess, and carry firearms, including rifles and shotguns, as well as large-capacity and semi-automatic firearms and handguns. The FID card entitles the holder to transfer, possess, and carry rifles or shotguns that are not large capacity or semi-automatic, and ammunition.
To obtain a firearms license in Massachusetts, applicants must successfully complete a basic firearms safety course and submit a certificate of completion with their application for an LTC or FID card. Alternatively, applicants can submit a Basic Hunter Education certificate as a valid substitute. These courses are typically taught by independent instructors certified by the Massachusetts Department of State Police or the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.
Background checks are required to buy a handgun from a private individual in Massachusetts, as the seller must verify the buyer's Firearm Identification Card with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. A LTC is also required to buy ammunition. Although the registration of handguns is not mandatory, all sellers of firearms must report sales and transfers to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, which maintains comprehensive records.
Executive Power: How the Branch Functions
You may want to see also
Background checks are required to buy a handgun from a private individual
Massachusetts is not a constitutional carry state. A License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification (FID) card is required to possess or carry firearms in Massachusetts. An LTC entitles a person to carry handguns and other firearms in public spaces.
To obtain an LTC, an applicant must submit a basic firearms safety certificate to the licensing authority. The colonel of the state police must certify firearms safety course curriculum and its instructors. An applicant must generally reside or have a place of business within the jurisdiction of the licensing authority. However, the colonel of state police may issue a temporary license to carry firearms to a non-resident of Massachusetts or any person not falling within the jurisdiction of a local licensing authority for purposes of firearms competition.
Massachusetts is now a shall-issue state following the Supreme Court's ruling on the NYSRPA v. Bruen case on June 23, 2022. Licenses to Carry (LTC) are issued at the local police station or, for non-residents, through the State Police Firearms Records Bureau. Prior to June 2022, Massachusetts law provided local law enforcement with broad discretion to issue or deny LTCs. However, the US Supreme Court's decision has been interpreted as invalidating these specific aspects of Massachusetts's public carry licensing laws. In response, Massachusetts passed legislation to update its licensing standards in 2022.
Governor Signs Constitutional Carry: What Does It Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
A LTC is also required to buy ammunition
Massachusetts is not a constitutional carry state. A License to Carry (LTC) is required to purchase ammunition, as well as to possess or carry firearms. An LTC can be obtained by applying to local law enforcement agencies, and the application must include a basic firearms safety certificate. The LTC is valid for up to six years from the date of issue.
Massachusetts is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that local police stations issue Licenses to Carry (LTC) to residents, and the State Police Firearms Records Bureau issues LTCs to non-residents. A Firearm Identification (FID) card is also accepted in place of an LTC for purchasing firearms and ammunition. Background checks are required for private handgun purchases, and sellers must verify the buyer's LTC or FID card with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
Massachusetts gun laws are regulated by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, §§ 121-131Q. To obtain an LTC or FID card, applicants must complete a basic firearms safety course. The curriculum for an LTC course focuses on pistols and revolvers, while the curriculum for an FID course centres on rifles and shotguns.
There have been petitions to make Massachusetts a constitutional carry state, arguing against the license fee that "serves no purpose except [the] profiting of Constitutional Rights and [the] Denying [of those] who cannot afford said Right." However, as of the last update on December 11, 2024, Massachusetts still requires an LTC or FID card for the purchase of firearms and ammunition.
Greg Abbott Signs Constitutional Carry into Law
You may want to see also
Massachusetts does not allow the names and addresses of license holders to be made public
Massachusetts has strict laws and requirements in place for those seeking to obtain a firearm license. An applicant must reside or have a place of business within the jurisdiction of the licensing authority. The colonel of the state police may, however, issue a temporary license to non-residents or those not within the jurisdiction of a local licensing authority for firearms competition purposes. To obtain a license, applicants must submit a basic firearms safety certificate to the licensing authority. This certificate is a prerequisite for the application to be accepted and processed. The firearms safety course curriculum must be certified by the colonel of the state police, and its instructors must also be certified.
Massachusetts is a “shall-issue" state following the Supreme Court's ruling on the NYSRPA v. Bruen case on June 23, 2022. Licenses to Carry (LTC) are issued at local police stations or, for non-residents, through the State Police Firearms Records Bureau. A Firearm Identification (FID) card or LTC is required to purchase a firearm and its ammunition. While handgun registration isn't necessary, sellers must report firearm sales and transfers to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, which maintains comprehensive records.
Massachusetts allows individuals to carry firearms in public if they have the appropriate license. A License to Carry entitles a person to carry handguns and other firearms in public spaces. Prior to June 2022, local law enforcement had broad discretion to issue or deny Licenses to Carry. However, the US Supreme Court's decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen invalidated these aspects of Massachusetts' public carry licensing laws, leading to updated licensing standards.
There have been petitions to make Massachusetts a constitutional carry state, with residents citing personal experiences with criminal threats and advocating for the repeal of license fees that profit from constitutional rights.
Colorado's Constitutional Carry: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Constitutional Carry refers to the ability to carry a firearm in public without a license.
Massachusetts is not a Constitutional Carry state. A License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification (FID) card is required to carry firearms in the state.
Applicants for an LTC must be residents or have a place of business within the jurisdiction of the licensing authority. They must also complete a basic firearms safety course and submit a certificate.
Yes, non-residents can obtain an LTC through the State Police Firearms Records Bureau. The colonel of state police may also issue a temporary LTC to non-residents for purposes of firearms competition.
Yes, there have been petitions and support for Massachusetts to become a Constitutional Carry state, with arguments focusing on self-defence and the repeal of license fees.
![Byrna SD [Self Defense] Kinetic Launcher Ultimate Bundle - Non Lethal Kinetic Projectile Launcher, Home & Personal Defense | Proudly Assembled in The USA](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81wu-phEIPL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
