Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC) - The Basics

What License Authorizes What

Massachusetts uses two distinct licenses for civilian firearm possession and carry. Both are issued by the local police chief or, for non-residents, the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police, and both are governed by M.G.L. c. 140.

License to Carry (LTC) - M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131

The LTC is the broad firearms license. A valid LTC authorizes the holder to:

• Purchase, possess, transport, and carry handguns, including loaded handguns, on the person or under control in a vehicle.
• Purchase, possess, and transport non-large-capacity rifles and shotguns.
• Purchase, possess, and transport large-capacity rifles, large-capacity shotguns, and large-capacity feeding devices (where lawful under the Chapter 135 of 2024 framework).
• Purchase ammunition for any lawfully possessed firearm.

The LTC is the only Massachusetts permit that authorizes carry of a handgun. It is valid for six years unless revoked or suspended.

Pre-2024 Massachusetts issued two LTC subtypes (Class A and Class B); Chapter 135 of 2024 collapsed these into a single LTC and amended M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131 accordingly.

Firearm Identification Card (FID) - M.G.L. c. 140, Section 129B

The FID is a narrower license. A valid FID authorizes the holder to:

• Possess, purchase, and transport non-large-capacity rifles and shotguns.
• Possess and purchase ammunition for lawfully owned long guns.
• Possess chemical mace or pepper spray (for FID holders 15-17 years old, an FID-Restricted variant is issued).

The FID does not authorize possession of a handgun and does not authorize concealed carry of any firearm. An FID holder who carries a handgun is exposed to prosecution under M.G.L. c. 269, Section 10(a) or 10(h) just as an unlicensed person would be.

The FID is also valid for six years.

Who Issues the License

• Residents: the chief of police (or police commissioner in cities) of the city or town where the applicant resides applies to the local department.
• Non-residents: the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police administers non-resident LTCs under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131F. Non-resident applications are filed with the State Police Firearms Records Bureau (FRB).
• Statewide oversight: the Massachusetts State Police Firearms Records Bureau (FRB) maintains the central licensing database, issues physical cards, and conducts background checks. Local chiefs decide suitability; FRB administers issuance.

Eligibility Requirements - LTC

Under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131, an LTC applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Complete an approved Basic Firearms Safety Course under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131P (or a Basic Hunter Education Course under c. 131, Section 14 for the FID equivalent).
• Pass a state and federal background check (NICS plus Massachusetts criminal-history check).
• Not be a prohibited person under state or federal law (felony conviction, certain misdemeanor drug or violence convictions, domestic violence protection order, certain mental-health adjudications, dishonorable discharge, unlawful drug user, certain immigration categories, etc.).
• Be deemed suitable by the licensing authority - the post-Bruen / post-Chapter-135 standard described in the OVERVIEW section.

Eligibility Requirements - FID

Under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 129B, an FID applicant must:

• Be at least 15 years of age (15-17 year olds receive an FID-Restricted card with written parental consent).
• Complete a Basic Firearms Safety Course or Basic Hunter Education Course.
• Pass a state and federal background check.
• Not be a prohibited person.

The FID does not impose a separate "suitability" finding, but the licensing authority may deny an FID for several enumerated statutory reasons (recent restraining-order history, certain juvenile dispositions, etc.).

License Restrictions

Under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131, the licensing authority may issue an LTC subject to written restrictions based on what the authority finds reasonable. Common restriction types include:

• Target & hunting only - the holder may possess and transport for target shooting and hunting, but not for general self-defense carry.
• Employment - the holder may carry only in connection with a specified job (armored car, security, etc.).
• Sporting - similar to target & hunting.
• Unrestricted (none) - full carry rights.

A restricted LTC who carries outside the restriction can face revocation and prosecution. Restrictions are subject to the same de novo District Court appeal as outright denials under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131(f).

License Duration and Renewal

• An LTC or FID is valid for six years from the date of issuance.
• Renewal is governed by the same statute as initial issuance.
• A license that is not renewed before expiration becomes invalid and the holder must surrender any firearms held under it until reissuance.
• A late-renewal grace period exists for limited window (typically the renewal can be filed within 90 days after expiration without re-doing the full process), but the practical safe path is to file the renewal application at least 60 days before expiration.

See the Renewal Process section for the full mechanical sequence.

Categorical Prohibitions on Licensure

Under M.G.L. c. 140, Section 131(d), the licensing authority shall not issue an LTC to a person who:

• Has been convicted of a felony.
• Has been convicted of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for more than two years.
• Has been convicted of a violent crime as defined in M.G.L. c. 140, Section 121.
• Has been convicted of certain drug offenses.
• Is the subject of an active warrant.
• Is the subject of certain protective orders.
• Has been adjudicated a youthful offender for a felony or violent crime.
• Has been confined to a hospital or institution for mental illness unless the requirements for restoration under c. 140, Section 130 are met.
• Is currently being treated for or confined for drug addiction or habitual drunkenness.
• Is an alien who is not a lawful permanent resident or otherwise authorized.
• Has been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions.

The federal Gun Control Act (18 U.S.C. 922(g)) overlays the same and additional prohibitions; both apply in parallel.

Key Takeaways

• The LTC is the only Massachusetts license that authorizes carry of a handgun.
• An FID covers long guns and ammunition only.
• Both licenses are issued at the local level (chief of police) with statewide administration through the State Police FRB.
• Suitability remains a discretionary element of LTC issuance, but is no longer paired with the pre-Bruen "good reason" need-based test.
• Restrictions on an LTC are common and enforceable; carry outside a restriction is a basis for revocation.
• Massachusetts recognizes no other state's permit; non-residents need a Mass. Non-Resident LTC.