Hey guys BigNate84 here
Bringing you all kinds of professional and informative how to videos and product reviews
In this video I’ll be explaining the process of obtaining a firearms license in the state
of Massachusetts
I'm going to break down the process for you step by step
Here's what I'll be discussing in this video
Feel free to skip around by clicking on whatever interests you the most
And I figured this would be a fitting video repsonse to Pete over at the armory channel
He uploaded a video a couple weeks ago titled "How Gun Friendly Is Your State"
You should also be familiar with the Massachusetts Gun Control Act of 1998
Go to the Massachsuetts Division of Wildlife & Fisheries website
To read more about how that law will effect you
Well I guess before I get started I should talk about what you're seeing here before
you
This right here is my 9mm Beretta 92FS the first firearm I ever bought
And this rigth here is a Remington 700 ADL chambered in 30-06
And this bag you see right here wa smade by US PeaceKeeper it's actually a rifle bag
It's called the Drag Mat and it's pretty nice you can carry your rifle around with it
Lay it out in the field if your shooting down on the range
And it's got a pouch here for some shells and anothe rpouch over here
And it's a nice little Drag Mat
So you live in Massachusetts and youw ant to buy a gun
Step 1: Take the safety course
You need to complete a firearm safety course or a basic hunter education course
At the end of the course you will receive a certificate
This will allow you to apply for your Class A LTC, Class B LTC or FID card
The cost of this course was $100 when I took it in 2009
And it is offered at many training centers across the state
For example you can take either of these courses at the American Firearms School in North Attleborough
Or the Massachusetts Firearm School in Holliston
Both of these centers offer these courses and have ranges on site
Step 2: Get the application
You’ll need to contact your local police department to acquire a firearms licence application
Each town may have a slightly different application
For example the town of Norfolk has the standard FA-2526 application
But if you live over the town line in Walpole in addition to the standard application
You may have to provide 2 letters of recommendation from unrelated individuals
After you fill out this form definietly make a hard copy for your own records
Since the renewal application is the same exact form
And the licesne will expire every five years on your date of birth
Step 3: Once your application is filled out submit it to your local police department
With your application you'll need to include a copy of your firearms safety certificate
Or basic hunter education certificate
There is an application fee of $100
Again this is as of 2009 when I had to pay for it
So if your crunching the numbers as we go here
That's $200 so far, $100 for the basic trainign course and $100 for the application fee
Welcome to Taxachusetts
Step 4: Fingerprints and pictures
Once you have submitted the application Someone from the local police department should give
you a call
To schedule an appointment and you basically just need to go down there for about a half
hour
And get your fingerprints taken and get a picture taken
Step 5: Pick up your license
After about 40 or 50 days and your information has been processed
You should get a call to come down and pick up your license
You could be denied a firearms license if you have a criminal record or if you lied
on your application
You may be fined or imprisoned for lying on your application
If you feel you have been wrongfully denied you can appeal
And at that point in time it's probably worth while to get a good lawyer who specializes
in firearms cases
Alright we're not done yet
Step 6: Re-new your license every 5 years
As mentioned previously the licence lasts for 5 years so don’t let it expire
Keep track of the expiration date and send in your renewal application
At least 40 days prior to your license expiration date
This renewal application needs to be submitted again to your local police department
I recommend dropping it off in person so that they have a hard copy or using certified mail
So that you have confirmation that the form was delivered
The last thing you want to happen is for your renewal form to get lost in the mail
And before you know it you’re getting charged with a firearms violation
Due to a paperwork mishap, that’s not a good situation to put yourself in
Alright step:7 here's the last thing you need to worry about Change of address
If you move from one town in Massachusetts to another town in Massachusetts
You need to notify three parties
The town that you're moving out of
The town you're moving into
And the firearm record bureau in Chelsea Massachusetts
You are given a grace period of 30 days from the date of your move
To send in this change of address notification form
Failure to do this can result in a revocation or suspension of your license
You’ll need to make three copies of both the front and back of your license
And three copies of the form then send it out to all three parties involved
You must send this as certified mail to the firearm record bureau
It can be sent by regular mail to both local police departments
But while your sending smomthing certified you might as well send it certified to all
three places
It's just better to know for sure that they recieved your document
So that's pretty much it being a responsible gun owner is an on-going process
Here's a quick recap of my firearms check list
Step 1: Take the basic safety course or hunter education course
Step 2: Get the application from your local police department
Step 3: Submit the application to your local police department
Step 4: Get your fingerprints and picture taken
Step 5: Pick up your license
Step 6: Renew your license every 5 years on your birthday
Step 7: If you move fill out the change of address form and send it in to all three parties
involved
So that's pretty much the process in Massachusetts
I'm hoping this video helps somebody out
If you're watching from another state and yoru just curious about getting a firearm
in Mass
That's how to do it
And if you live in Massachsuetts and your're thinking about doing it
Hopefully this information will get you headed in the right direction
I'm not an expert but at least this should answer some of the basic questions you might
have
my channel is dedicated to how to videos but if you want to learn more about firearms
Here are some channels deciated completetly to firearms
Watch some of these videos posted by these other guys and girls out there and you can
learn a whole lot
Hickok45, 22plinkster, TheArmoryChannel
TheFirearmGuy, tnoutdoors9, FateofDestinee
Military Arms Channel
Alright guys hopefully you found this information helpful thanks for watching