What You Need to Know
The Massachusetts Gun Control
Act of 1998
has significantly changed the
requirements regarding the purchase, possession, carrying, storage and
licensing of firearms. This law also increases the criminal penalties
for unlawful possession and use of firearms.
The information provided on the
EOPS Web site is intended to highlight relevant sections of the law. It
is not intended to set forth all of the obligations and rights of
individuals with regards to firearms laws.
New Gun Laws
Firearms Identification Card
(FID)
Your current FID card will expire
on your birthday in 1999 if you were born between July 1 and December
31. It will expire on your birthday in the year 2000 if your birthday
falls between January 1 and June 30.
The new FID card will be valid for
4 years and permits the possession and carrying of non-large capacity
rifles and shotguns.
A restricted FID is available
solely for the possession of mace or pepper spray.
You must be 18 or older, or 15 to
18 years of age with parental consent to apply for an FID card.
The fee for an FID card is $25.00.
If you possess an FID card on
October 21, 1998, together with a handgun which you obtained with a
permit to purchase, your FID card allows you to validly possess this
handgun in your residence or place of business.
If you possess an FID card on
October 21, 1998, together with a large capacity rifle or shotgun, you
may continue to possess the rifle or shotgun until your FID card
expires. At that time you must apply for a Class B LTC.
Strict new eligibility
requirements now apply. Please contact your local police department
officials for details.
LICENSE TO CARRY
The new law creates two types of
licenses to carry (LTC).
CLASS A
The class A LTC permits the
purchase, possession and carrying of large-capacity handguns, rifles,
shotguns and feeding devices.
CLASS B
The Class B LTC permits the
purchase, possession and carrying of non-large capacity handguns and
large-capacity rifles and shotguns.
CLASS A and CLASS B LTC
INFORMATION
Your current LTC will be valid
until its stated expiration date.
New applicants must be 21 years of
age or older to obtain a CLASS A or CLASS B LTC.
The new CLASS A and CLASS B LTCs
are valid for 4 years.
The fee for a CLASS A or CLASS B
LTC is $25.00.
Strict new eligibility
requirements now apply. Please contact your local police officials for
details.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where do I apply for an LTC or FID card?
Apply for an FID Card or CLASS A
or B LTC at the police department in the city/town where you live or
where your principal place of business is located.
I have an FID card and a LTC. Do I need both?
No. On October 21,1998, your
current LTC will automatically become CLASS A LTC until its stated
expiration date.
I obtained a license to carry prior to October
21, 1998. When does it expire?
Your current LTC is valid until
the stated expiration date. Any new LTCs issued are valid only for 4
years.
