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Firearms Division

License to Carry/FID Card Application Process Guidelines

The Firearms Division shall be closed from March 7th 2024 till March 13th 2024 and
shall open on March 14th 2024

 

Officer Anthony Matos

Office Telephone:781-286-8334

Office hours: Thursdays 8:00am to 2:00pm (Except Holidays)

 

NEW APPLICANTS

All new applicants must turn in their application in-person during office hours. All those interested in applying need to fill out an application and obtain several required documents. Once all items are in order, you may come in during office hours to ensure everything is filled out properly and begin the process.

The required documents are as follows:

Massachusetts LTC application – can be downloaded from the following link: Massachusetts Resident LTC/FID Application

  • Copy of Birth Certificate or Passport
  • Copy of any Naturalization paperwork (if applicable)
  • Copy of your Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Certificate
    • Only exception to the safety certificate is if you are CURRENT active duty military or National Guard. If so, please include a copy of your current military ID.
  • Copy of either a voter registration card or copies of 2 pieces of mail that have been sent to your home – DO INCLUDE ENTIRE BILLS, JUST COVER PAGE WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
  • 3 Letters of reference – Letters must include the name, address, and phone number of the person who wrote it, how long they have known you, and that they understand the recommendation is regarding your application for a firearms permit.
  • $100 Check or Money Order made out to the City of Revere.

NOTE: On the Mass LTC application it states that the social security number is optional, that is incorrect, we need that number in order to process certain aspects of your background check.

 

Furthermore: BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SOMEWHERE AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT PAGE OF THE APPLICATION. This will make it easier for us to contact you if we have follow up questions

RENEWAL APPLICANTS

THE REVERE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RENEWAL APPLICATIONS UNTIL YOU ARE WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF EXPIRING.

The required documents are as follows:

  • Massachusetts LTC application – Complete entire application with the exception of the references section, you can leave that blank. Be sure to Sign and Date.
    • DO NOT FORGET TO FILL OUT AND SIGN PAGE 4 OF THE APPLICATION as well
  • $100 Check or Money Order made out to the City of Revere
    • Renewal applicants 70 years of age or older are free so DO NOT include the check if that is the case.

NOTE: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SOMEWHERE AT THE TOP OF THE FIRST PAGE

RENEWAL applications can be dropped off to Officer Matos during normal office hours.

 

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

PAST OFFENSES AND ISSUES WITH QUESTION 4 ON APPLICATION:

On page 2 of the application on Question 4, it asks: “Have you ever been arrested or appeared in court as a defendant for any criminal offense.” This question commonly creates issues for applicants. It does not matter if your case was dismissed, if you were a juvenile when it happened, if the charge was sealed, or if someone told you that you did not have to admit to that. Criminal record databases are very detailed and regardless of the final resolution in court, the charge will still appear on your record for life. It is best to be forthcoming in your application and check YES to question 4 if you at all meet the criteria in Question 4. Admitting to Question 4 in no way means you will not be given a permit, it just makes the background check process easier for you.

 

RENEWAL APPLICANTS: Be sure to answer question 4 truthfully, even if your charges had already been vetted during your initial application process. Even with a renewal, if question 4 is not answered correctly, it can delay your renewal.

 

TIME FRAME:

The RPD will seek to process your application as quickly as possible but as of January 2024, we are still currently operating at approx. 2 months between receiving the application and approval or denial.  Upon an Approval being sent to the State for printing, it can take approx. 4 to 8 weeks to receive that LTC/FID card back so we can activate it. Once we active the card, we then send it in the mail to you at the address listed on your application. If there are criminal matters in your background that need to be reviewed, the process will inherently take longer. If you do have a criminal matter in your past, it can significantly speed up the process if you include with your application, a copy of the original Police report from the charge as well as a copy of the Court Docket concerning the case in question if it was a court matter.

 

APPLICATION STATUS:

If you would like to check the status of your application. Please contact the Firearms License Application Status Hotline at 617-660-4722.

 

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

Massachusetts Resident LTC/FID Application NEW/RENEWAL

Change of Address Notification Form

Change of Name Notification Form

Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal (state.ma.us)

**All applicants must deliver paperwork in hand to Officer Matos. Incomplete applications will NOT be processed. **

If you are looking to renew a license or permit, or just want some information, please read the attached document: Gun Permit requirements and FAQs

General Information

How to apply for a Licence to Carry (LTC) and Firearms Identification (F.I.D.) Card

License to Carry (L.T.C.)

A License to Carry (L.T.C.) permits it’s bearer to legally purchase and carry a firearm in the State of Massachusetts. A LTC permits the holder to possess any weapon which would be allowed with an FID Card, as well as additional weapons depending on the Class of License. CLICK HERE for application

Firearms Identifiaction (F.I.D.) Card

A Firearms Identifiaction (F.I.D.) Card is issued by the State of Massachusetts and permits it’s bearer to:

  • Legally purchase and store weapons in your home (if combined with a Permit to Purchase said firearm)*

An FID card application must be completed and returned to your home town police department. If you are a resident of Revere, you can print a copy of the FID application and return it to Lt. Mangino Thursdays 9am – 3pm.

For more specific information on FIDs refer to our Instructions and MGL page

* A F.I.D. card does not permit the bearer to carry a weapon on his or her person. If this is purpose, please see “License to Carry (LTC)”.

FAQS

Is a license required to possess an air gun (i.e. bb or pellet guns, so-called air rifles or air pistols, paint ball guns) or ammunition therefore (i.e. bb's, pellets, CO2 cartridges, paint balls)?

An FID Card is not required to possess an air gun in Massachusetts. Air guns are regulated by M.G.L. c. 269, %uFFFD12B which limits their use by minors who are not accompanied by an adult, holding a sporting or hunting license, or holding a permit from the chief of police. Massachusetts law also prohibits anyone from discharging air rifles from across streets, alleys, public ways or railroads or railway right of ways. It should also be noted that an FID Card or an LTC are not required to purchase an air gun or ammunition. As such, the state FA10 form should not be used to record the sale of such air guns.

Can a nonresident obtain a permit to carry a weapon in Massachusetts?

M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD 131F allows the Colonel of the State Police or his designee to issue a temporary LTC to nonresidents or persons not falling within the jurisdiction of a local licensing authority. Currently, the Firearms Record Bureau (FRB) has been designated to issue permits to nonresidents. The phone number of the FRB is (617) 660-4780.

Do I need an FID Card or an LTC Firearms to possess a gun in my home?

Yes. At a minimum you need an FID Card for non-large capacity rifles and shotguns. For handguns you need either an LTC,, or an FID Card combined with a Permit to Purchase firearms for the particular handgun in question.

Should a valid holder of an LTC renew their FID Card based upon notification from the Criminal History Systems Board that the FID card is about to expire?

Not necessarily. An individual with an LTC is not required to maintain an FID Card also, although an individual may hold both. An LTC permits the holder to possess any weapon which would be allowed with an FID Card, as well as additional weapons depending on the Class of License.

Where do I apply for a License to Carry (LTC) or a Firearms Identification (FID) Card?

Generally, application is made to the local police department where the applicant resides or has a place of business. For more specific information on FIDs refer to M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD129B, or for LTCs refer to %uFFFD131(d).

I am changing my address. Who do I notify?

Under M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD129B(10), and %uFFFD131(l), a holder of an FID Card or an LTC must notify, in writing, the licensing authority that issued the Card or License, the chief of police into whose jurisdiction the Card or License holder moves, and the Executive Director of the CHSB. The notice must be made by certified mail within 30 days of its occurrence.

How many guns a year can a person sell without being a dealer?

Under M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD128A, a properly licensed resident who is not a dealer may sell up to four guns in any one calendar year through a private transfer of ownership.

Should a special form be used when selling guns through a private sale?

The state form required for private sales is an FA10 Form. The FA10 replaced what was known as the “Blue Card” previously used for private sales. This is essentially the same form used by dealers except that instructions are included with each private sale form. This form can be obtained from any police department. The seller must fill out the form and forward it to the Firearms Record Bureau (FRB) within seven days of the transaction.

Do weapons purchased by Massachusetts residents while in another state have to be reported in Massachusetts?

M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD128B, residents who purchase from someone other than a Massachusetts dealer, either within or outside the Commonwealth, must report the purchase within seven days to the FRB. The FA10 form, which can be obtained from any police department, is the simplest way to make such a report.

Can a Massachusetts resident sell a gun without being a licensed dealer?

Yes. Under M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD128A, a Massachusetts resident may sell a gun provided that he lawfully possesses it with an appropriate FID Card or LTC, or is otherwise exempt, and that the person buying the gun is also properly licensed with the appropriate FID Card or LTC (depending on the type of gun being bought).

Should all weapons sold within the Commonwealth be equipped with a safety lock?

M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD131K states that all sales of firearms and large capacity weapons in Massachusetts MUST include a safety device approved by the colonel of state police. This requirement applies to any seller including a wholesaler. The seller is not required to install the device so long as the weapon is accompanied by it. Failure to comply with this provision will constitute a breach of warranty and an unfair trade practice. This section does not apply to non-large capacity rifles and shotguns.

If an individual buys a handgun or large capacity rifle or shotgun from a dealer, can he supply his own trigger lock to avoid paying for a new one from the dealer?

No. M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD131K states that a state approved safety device must be sold with the weapon. This places the burden on the dealer to provide the safety device and does not allow the dealer an option of letting the purchaser provide a trigger lock.

Are state-approved trigger locks required any time a trigger lock is used?

No. State-approved trigger locks are only required under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD131K which applies to dealers who provide them with handguns and large capacity rifles and shotguns that they sell. State-approved trigger locks are not required in any other section of chapter 140. However, most common trigger locks that would be used to help the gun owner comply with section 131L are likely to be state approved even though that approval is not required

How do I transport a gun in my vehicle?

A person with a Class “A” LTC may transport a handgun loaded or unloaded on his person or under his direct control in the vehicle. If the handgun is not under his direct control, it must be unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container.

A person with a Class “B” LTC must transport handguns unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container. All persons transporting large capacity rifles and shotguns must transport them unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container. Trigger locks do not meet the requirements of securing a weapon during transport in motor vehicle.

For more specific information see M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD131C.

Do I need to lock my non-large capacity rifles and shotguns in a case while transporting them in a vehicle?

No. They must be transported unloaded, but are not required to be in a locked case while transporting.

Can I leave my gun in my car if I need to go into the store on my way home from the range or from hunting?

If your handgun or large capacity rifle or shotgun is transported in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD131C (i.e. unloaded and in a locked case, locked trunk or other secure container) then the gun may be left unattended in the vehicle. Weapons transported in this manner will automatically be considered “stored or kept” in compliance with the safe storage requirements of %uFFFD131L.

A person leaving a non-large capacity rifle or shotgun in an unattended vehicle is required to lock the rifle or shotgun in a case/container or in the trunk, or install a mechanical locking device on the weapon (i.e. cable or trigger lock).

Can an individual who is the subject of a restraining order, seek to have the judge remove the surrender portion of the restraining order with regards to weapons permits so that he/she can possess a weapon?

Previously, the surrender order could be lifted by the judge, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 209A, %uFFFD3C, and guns and permits could be returned even though the restraining order remained in effect. Under recent changes in M.G.L. c. 140, %uFFFD%uFFFD129B and 131, the suspension and surrender of a defendant’s FID Card or LTC must continue as long as the underlying restraining order is in effect.