Massachusetts Concealed Carry Permit Information

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Concealed Permit:
May Issue to Residents and Non-Residents.

A Class A license authorizes carrying of handguns, including large capacity handguns, for all lawful purposes, subject to such restrictions relative to the possession, use or carrying of handguns as the licensing authority deems proper, and carrying of rifles and shotguns, including large capacity rifles and shotguns, for all lawful purposes, subject to restrictions imposed by the licensing authority. A class A license holder may carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle, if it is under his direct control. However, this does not apply to large capacity rifles or shotguns. Such firearms must be carried unloaded, in the locked trunk or in a locked case or other secure container.

A Class B license authorizes carrying of non-large capacity handguns for all lawful purposes, subject to such restrictions relative to the possession, use or carrying of such handguns as the licensing authority deems proper, and carrying of rifles and shotguns, including large capacity rifles and shotguns, for all lawful purposes, subject to restrictions imposed by the licensing authority. However, a class B license does NOT entitle the holder to carry or possess a loaded firearm in a concealed manner in a public way or place. A class B license holder may not carry a loaded firearm of any type in his vehicle; all firearms must be carried unloaded, in the locked trunk or in a locked case or other secure container.

 

Example Resident Permit:
Massachusetts Concealed Firearm Permit

Issuing Authority:
This is your police chief or state police if you are a resident. If you are not a resident, you will need to contact the Firearms Record Bureau at (617) 660-4780.

NICS check:

Permit Valid For:
Resident – 6 Years
Out Of State – 1 Year

Processing Time:

Receive your license within 40 days. If it is denied, you have 90 days to petition the district court for a review. Click here for the Firearm License Review Board Petition.

Cost:
Resident LTC fee is $100 for 6 years
Non-Residents are $100 per year

The fee for a temporary license is $100

 

Requirements:

Required Documents:
1. Approved training course given by a Massachusetts state certified instructor within the last year

2. Completed application
3. Copy of driver’s license or ID card
4. Copy of birth certificate or passport
5. You will be required to justify your request in writing. Make your request as detailed and specific as possible. Valid reasons for requesting a concealed handgun include personal threats, being in a high-risk profession or routinely carrying large amounts of cash.
6. Two passport photographs
7. 2 Fingerprint cards
8. Proof of residency ( may be a utility or cable bill)
9. Report from your home state Bureau of Criminal Records listing your arrest record

10. To receive a Non-Resident LTC you must already possess a permit from your home state
or a permit from another state
11. If you’re a Vermont resident, you must get a letter from the Police Chief in your town attesting to your good character

Renewal Information:

Change of Address:
Change Of Address Notification Form

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:

Automobile carry:
Unlawfully carrying a firearm in a vehicle, or in one’s possession
outside one’s residence or place of business, without the required license or card, subjects a person to a mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year in jail, or 2 1/2 years in prison. This mandatory sentence does not apply to a person holding a valid card but not the required license.

A non-resident may possess a rifle or shotgun in Massachusetts:
1. While hunting and in possession of a valid hunting license.
2. While on a firing or shooting range.
3. While traveling in or through Massachusetts if the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and enclosed in a case.
4. While at a firearms show organized by a “regularly existing gun collector’s club or association.”
5. If he or she has a license or permit to possess any firearm in his or her home state, if its licensing requirements are as stringent as those of Massachusetts, as indicated by a published list of such states promulgated by the colonel of state police.

A non-resident United States citizen with a license to carry a handgun issued by his home state may carry a handgun in Massachusetts for the purpose of taking part in a competition or exhibition of an organized group of firearms collectors, or for hunting provided he has a valid hunting license issued by Massachusetts or the state of his destination.

Places off-limits when carrying:

Alcohol and Drugs:
Waiting For Information. As always, alcohol/drugs don’t mix with firearms. That’s a pretty simple rule of thumb.

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
Massachusetts is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law. Click here for the law.

 

Open Carry:
Prohibited in most public areas.

Localities with Varying Laws:

Forms & Links:
Mass.gov – Firearms Forms and Appliations

 

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  • Soto

    The information here provided is as vague or misleading as Massachusetts Law…
    1. “Unlawfully carrying a firearm in a vehicle, or in one’s possessionoutside one’s residence or place of business, without the required license or card, subjects a person to a mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year in jail, or 2 1/2 years in prison.
    1A. What is unlawfully? Does this apply if one forget their license at home? or the 1 year bid still apply just for forgetting the license? 

    2. This mandatory sentence does not apply to a person holding a valid card but not the required license.
    2A. What is the difference between the valid card and required license?

    • Phillip Ley

      1A – Unlawfully means without the proper license allowing you to transport a firearm.  If it’s a rifle or shotgun then if you do not have an FID card you go to jail.  If it is a handgun or some large capacity weapon then you need a class A or Class B LTC or you go to jail. 

      If you forget your permit at home you have 30 days to provide the valid permit. 

  • Maine

    I often drive from my home in Maine down to VA, forcing me to travel through states such as Mass and NY whose automobile carry laws are draconian.  Is it legal to carry a handgun locked in a case separated from ammo, or do I have drive around half the eastern seaboard to get to VA?

    • Luke Larsen

      According to Federal laws, you are protected to cross state borders if you keep the gun locked up with ammunition in a separate case. Let alone its your 2nd amendment, you could fight it in court.

    • Newbedford100

      Trigger lock or in a locked container with ammo separated; you must attempt to move in a straight line to Virginia and not double-back.
      You can stop and visit or check into a hotel but take the gun into the room/house and leave the ammo in the car. Never drive in circles, you can go back for reasonable reasons, tire repair, gas, storm, etc..
      If you are black, you are unrestricted.
      Good luck.

  • Billiesingletary

    can  an open case stop you from getting your L.T.C Because is not an conviction 

  • Anonymous

    Does anyone know about a recent change in the Massachusetts license to carry law where new people who are applying for their first class A LTC will not be able to get an Non Restricted LTC for their first application? I went with a good friend who I helped with his application process, he lives in a town that was always known for issuing All Lawful Purposes and I was told that its a new state law that superseded the city/towns rules that the license you receive is the license you are stuck with unless you have a job that requires you to carry, I went to my towns police station and talked to the firearms license authority who is a very nice down to earth detective and she told me about the new change in law, She told me that my non restricted class A LTC is grandfathered but all new applicants would get a Class A for Target & Hunting per state order unless they have some job that requires you to carry. If you look at who runs this state you will see that these people were all defense attorneys and thats why illegals and criminals have more rights then we do, we need to change this.

    • Foo

      AFAIK every town sets its own policy on what license it will issue to whom. Some towns are very permissive; Boston won’t even issue a LTC to their own off-duty police officers!

      • Zazainktattoos

        Being a commenwealth, everything is governed by town or district. From permits to health regs. Some towns r more liberal than others for sure. Worcester is the worse.

      • Egenlauf97

        In 2004 the federal goverment passed a law that a law enforcement and retired law enforcement officers can carry a firearm anywhere in the usa.

        • Chrbronson

          They have to obtain a permit, and qualify with their weapon to do so.  Not as easy as it sounds.

          • Matthew Hood

            they do have to maintain their qualifications but do not need a permit, the thought is that having people already trained carrying would make things safer for them since officers sometimes get targeted by criminals, also military who are designated “federal law enforcement officers are included, but the USCG as a service does not endorse this but doesnt prohibit it just discourages it,

    • Chopphadog

      no shit!!!!!! spent $2500.00 on lawyer fees to sue the town of Amesbury and have a juge ORDER my “RIGHT” JOKE, And all the court officials ,so on, are quit aware of the loop wholes,and our rights beening stomped on!! Ohh they love to tell u that its there”discretion” BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!File a law suit, unortunaly thats what it has come to,and see what happens! you don eaven need a good lawyer if your record is good, the julic officer a new asswhole!!! YUP this is what its come 2 in good old MASS! GO over the border,2 vermont/f_newhampshire!they actually have it rite,no felonys u can carry!no kissin some pricks ass for your god given rights!Sorry bro,it sucks, but if you are as vigilante as me u can file ur own lawsuit,$180 court fee!! and have it heard by a JUDGE who has 2 follow the law!! Good Luck

      • Whaeva73

        Know what your saying, live in Salem Ma. and got my LTC but only for target & hunting.. Lt. said what 2 yrs. and you could have the restriction taking for but in 2 yrs. they said NO due to chief… This shit sucks should State Laws and no by laws for each city…

    • OGZ

      I haven’t heard about this new law and I just applied for mine as well. It all depends on the city your in. it’s the cities law not a state law. Actually I shouldn’t even use the word law. It’s the cities choice to do that. I had no issues getting an unrestricted Class A for being a first timer.

  • Anonymous

    I’m a non resident and have held a MA non-resident concealed carry permit for many years.  My latest renewal is taking extra long – I was told that in the future I should plan on submitting my renewal six moths in advance. 
    Six months to wait for a twelve month permit is ludicrous and should also be illegal….

    • Tysrydgsxr

      Well if your living in ma and still claim you live out of state so be it since your cheating paying into our state. but if u just hunt in ma then I can see your point

    • Ondrase

      I have my CT carry and want to get MA non resident concealed carry, what advice would you give for what I should say my reasons are? Not sure how much to say.

    • http://profiles.google.com/snatale42 Stephen J Natale

      Do you have to go back to Chelsea every renewal? I’m about to get my non-res and that would suck!

  • Anonymous

    I had mine for many years even before they even started the politically correct A,B and C licenses, I have helped up to 30 people from many different towns and cities get their licenses, What caused this quick change of the towns going from No restrictions to Restricted only to new applicants was some person from the media was interviewing a police chief about hand gun ownership and how he feels about people carring for personal protection, he replyed he supports their right and responsibility,  then that media person reported how he issues Licenses, there was a big stink about it and the govenor signed a bill that changed the state law on issuing of those licenses and now new people will have to have a Class A LTC for sporting purposes, If you know anyone applying for their first LTC ask them to look into this new law thay passed less than a year ago, people who hold non restricted LTC’s are safe till they try to screw with us next.

  • Jimmyjames

    I just got my MA resident LTC class A in October this year.  It’s the first time I’ve had any MA firearms license of any kind, and I had no idea and had no one say anything about mandatory restrictions for new issues.  My LTC is unrestricted.  Please point where this new statue exists, because I don’t believe it does.

    • Anonymous

      There will be some license authorities that will still respect their residents and others that will use the liability issue as their reason to give you Target & Hunting or Employment only per order, I would mention the towns and cities here but that could cause problems for those that use this site and discourage good people of those towns to try to obtain a License.

    • TM

      I just went into my town 2 weeks ago. I was applying for a FID and was talked into applying for a LTCa as it would save me $100 in the long run once I do apply for it later on. If there was or is a new law to where new applicants cannot get LTC I sure the hell was not told about it and don’t think he would have talked me into applying for it then. His words exactly were “The way I look at it is, when I checked your file and the state don’t even have your fingerprints on file and you are willing to give them you will have no problem getting a LTCa”

  • Luke Larsen

    Does anyone else see that Mass gun laws are unconstitutional? 

    • Tysrydgsxr

      Yes but it wont change a thing. Perfect example is, Not being taxed on work wage per the constitution.  

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZEPDFMCRNY6PP3FQN2VXWZQ3ME N E

       You butthurt bro? Maybe you shouldn’t think about robbing someone’s house then. Deal with it.

  • Phusion

    My question is what is a justified reason as mentioned above in the requirements for submitting for a class A license? Isn’t the protection of ones self and family good enough or is this only for the rich who “carry large amounts of cash” on a daily basis? I currently live in Florida and will be moving to mass in the next few months and currently have been carrying concealed for almost 5 years now. If you are a law abiding citizen and have a clean record and are also ex military (such as I) there should be no such reason I couldn’t receive a class A license. This is complete non sense.

    • Kevinbr91

      i live in Boston. when i went to go get my FID and asked the lic. officer that same question, he said that in boston it is next to impossible to get a Class A unrestricted. doesnt matter if you are a veteran or not. at the time my brother was overseas and coming back and he asked me to ask them. and even though hes a veteran he hasnt gotten his class A, he told me that only doctors and lawyers may have the bext chances of gettin a class a in boston. my advice to you. dont move into boston. some cities or towns may give you a Class a .(provided you complete the safety course) . look up online for “green” cities regarding ltc A’s in mass.. and look for a place to move in those cities..

    • Soto

      These are the words used when I applied, “all lawful purpose, Including the protection of life and property”

      That’s it…
      This was for Worcester. The supposed most impossible city to obtain an unrestricted Class A license in the commonwealth

      I believe that when make an attempt to justify their right to carry by using too many words or reasons it raises concerns with the authorities.

      • MassGuns4life

        They did away with the wording Protection of life & Property on licenses because your really not allowed to protect your property or protect your self on private property, Thats why they issued it as Protection of Life, as the Licensing officer said to me Lowell police Dept, When Defense Attorneys took over Massachusetts they kept changing the wording of the issuing of license and then it became All Lawful Purposes, It made it easier to pull your LTC because what is more lawful than the word protection? I went threw three types of these politically correct terms, I held A license to carry way before they started this Class A Crap, Now My class A LTC say restrictions as None, If we are going to have a system where you need government permition to own and carry a firearm then it should atleast be one license across the bored and please bring back the Life time FID card and drop the price back to $35 for the our Licenses, If I had my way I would do away with Licenses and have a stand your ground law and end chapter 180 all together.

      • Maskofdesign

        i have to say your reason for obtaining a class a ltc in Worcester is virtually a mirror image of what i wrote. I did also express my constitutional rights, but not overdone. As a lifelong resident of Worcester and hearing others say “oh man NO WAY are you getting a unrestricted in Worcester” i say HOGWASH!! I think Worcester is a green town , maybe just a little more discriminating when issuing. So yes, in fact ! did recieve my class A unrestricted…first time out of the gate!

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Colby/100001763878956 Robert Colby

      Do you really need to move to MA?  I’m in FL now but will going to home state, MA to finalize my move out of that taxing and socialist state.  After sale of home up there who knows, Nevada?

  • Gladehand25

    can i  shoot at zombe targets in ma

    • J J

       I do not believe that you can legally buy and/or shoot at any target that is of or resembles a human being.

      • Lolwut

        That is false information JJ, That law only applies to Gun clubs that have a Class A license through the state. There is only one that I know of and that is in andover.

        • Rdhiaire

          Cape Ann Sportsman’s Club allows zombies and human shapes

      • http://profiles.google.com/snatale42 Stephen J Natale

        That’s a myth. Many ranges have silhouette targets.

    • FMR AFSP

       Yes you can, they have them in Salisbury, MA range.

  • DMolinari

    I’m a non resident and the cost of a LTC is ridiculous. I
    remember years ago they had a “POLL” tax in some states including Mass. Well
    they deemed it illegal due to the fact it’s charging someone for their
    constitutional right to vote. Wouldn’t the same apply to our second amendment
    right? Secondly why 5 times the price for equal licensing time? Non Resident is
    by the year, resident is for 5 years. I had a business in MA for years and had
    only to pay the resident fee. Well I have retired since and after 25 years of MA
    permits I am getting the shaft. I still pay MA taxes since I part time work in
    MA. These people in MA have their collective heads up their backsides. The gun
    owners should file a class action suit against the state for their attitudes for
    the armed citizen. Talk about communism.

  • MassGuns4life

    Keep in mind, This state is runned by defense attorneys, to have the license issuing put on the state level is Almost impossible, some dems will lose their seats here in mASS this coming electing and that might help us in some areas. My brother lives in Lowell and he has a restricted LTC A  They upgraded his LTC from target and hunting to sporting, that only means he can carry while hiking under sporting, what a fking joke,

  • Lrosado0869

    So im in the military and my home state is mass but not my resident state. Im trying to get a conceal carried permit. I travel there on a regular basis. Does any one know the requirements for a military member. Would i still need to take the class? 

  • Matthew Hood

    My question is: Toward the end of the out of state application, It has emplyment of military use only, commanding officer approval; what is this used for? i’m in the military but want to carry off duty, is this for my command to approve me carrying off duty, or to carry intown while on-duty? anyone who can offer insight before i submit my application would be greatly appreciated.

  • MassGuns4life

    Lets hope we can pass the stand your ground law here, It passed in NH but they didn’t updated on the NH site here.

  • climber55

    I recently applied form my LTC. First off let me say the person who took my application was wonderful and informative. I was told that as a result of my passed record [no convictions] that it was somewhat doubtful if I would be approved for my LTC but there would be no problem with a FID. The person told me that I could not be refused a FID. I have had a LTC in the past but stupidly let it expire.
      But here is the clincher I was told it will take 10 weeks to process my application ?

  • Rcroteauiii

    If I was arrested for missing a court date because of exprired car insurance and registration, can I still get a license to carry?

  • Anthony02126

    I completed my Basic Firearms Course November 22, 2011
    I went to the PD Licensing with my paper work on January 27, 2012
    I went to qualify shoot on February 13, 2012
    and was told by the  officers running it that I’d get my LTC in the mail in 6 weeks.
    It’s been 7 weeks now does anyone have any Idea why this is taking so long?
    I can’t even apply to a job a friend lined up for me until it is physically in my possession.
    GETTING PISSED

    • POL

      I just posted above – took me 47 weeks from application submission to license in hand, and that was with calling a few times in between. The person I went with who simultaneously applied with me got theirs in about 25 weeks.

  • TheSheklly

    i always amazed at how stupid people from MASS are. They seriously have no idea how to get real gun laws enacted and crappy ones thrown out.

  • POL

    I was told it would take 6-8 weeks to process my application. It took 47 weeks, but my LTC class A unrestricted finally arrived. I think I’d better apply for my renewal a year in advance! 

  • literate

    Massachusetts does NOT have a stand-your-ground law. It has been proposed, but the governor has promised to veto it. Until most of our senate decides to end their careers, and Patrick is somehow forcibly prevented from vetoing the bill, murder will remain a crime in Mass.