Important Note: IF YOU
HAVE THE OLD VERSION OF THE FID CARD, (issued prior to 1998) it is
expired, despite the fact it says on it that it never expires. There is
no exception for the possession of any firearms, rifles or shotguns
under an expired FID card. Do not carry or transport any arms out of
your home under any circumstances. We would advise you to secure any
weapons with a properly licensed friend, relative or dealer until such
time as you obtain the proper permit.
The Medford Police Firearms Licensing Section,
issues firearms permits to Medford Residents, pursuant to MGL Chapter
140.
Steps to Follow in Applying
for a License:
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The first step in the process is returning a
completed application, with a check made out to the City of
Medford in the amount of $100.00. Note:
Restricted FID cards for Mace/Pepper Spray is
$25.00. Click here for the site to obtain the
application form.
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The next step is to take an approved Firearms
Safety Course that is approved by the State Police. This is
required by state law for all new issue permits after June 1,1998.
Check at your local gun club or
www.goal.org to find a certified training program. A background
check of criminal and other histories is run, and a set of the
applicants’ fingerprints must be sent to the state police. All
applications are sent through central processing and certified by
the Colonel of the State Police, so we have no control over the
amount of time this takes. It could be as long as a few months
depending on their workload.
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The next step (after steps 1&2 are completed), is
a person from the Firearms Licensing Section will contact you for an
appointment. Please do not call about the status of your
application, we sill contact you.
Types of Permits:
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Firearms Identification Card (FID)
allows the holder to purchase, possess and transport non-large
capacity rifles and shotguns. It also allows a handgun to be kept
in the home or place of business only if the handgun was
purchased with a Permit to Purchase. It does not permit, under any
circumstances, the carrying or transport of a handgun in public by
the FID holder. The FID card is a "shall-issue" permit; the issuing
authority is required to issue unless there is a disqualification. A
License to Carry is a "discretionary issue" permit, with part of the
criteria being the issuing authority’s determination that the
applicant is a "suitable person." The chief also has the authority
to impose any restrictions he deems proper on the terms of the
license. Note: For new residents renewing a License to Carry
originally issued by another agency, the Chief requires proof of
approved training at the time of application in Medford. This is
even if your original permit was issued prior June 1, 1998.
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Class A License to Carry
allows the
holder to purchase, possess and transport Large Capacity Handguns,
Rifles and Shotguns, as well as their respective large capacity
loading devices; It further allows the bearer to carry a loaded,
concealed handgun in public. This is the only permit that
allows the holder to carry a loaded, concealed firearm in public.
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Class B License to Carry
allows the
holder to purchase, possess and transport non-large capacity
handguns, and large capacity rifles, shotguns and their respective
large capacity loading devices. It does grant the bearer a limited
right to carry a non-large capacity handgun, but the holder may
not carry a loaded concealed handgun in a public place. For
example, a security guard could carry an exposed, loaded non-large
capacity handgun. Also, if transporting the firearm in a vehicle, it
must be unloaded and in a locked case or trunk. [Pursuant to
Massachusetts law, regardless of the type of permit held, if
transporting a rifle or shotgun on a public way, said long arm
must be unloaded (including any magazines for such) and in a
case, unless involved in hunting, with a valid hunting license.
Note: Veterans groups, while carrying unloaded rifles for ceremonial
purposes, are exempt from this statute].
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Restricted Firearms Identification Card
allows the holder to possess and carry aerosol incapacitating
spray such as Mace and Pepper Spray. Note: This restricted FID card
is exempt from the firearms training requirement. No firearms,
rifles or shotguns may be purchased or possessed with the restricted
FID. Also, restricted FID cards for Mace/Pepper Spray are
$25.00.
All of the above permits are
valid for at least 5, but no more than 6 years, expiring on your birthday.
Important Note: There is a 90-day "grace period" on expired licenses to
carry.
The term "Large Capacity" means a semi-automatic
rifle or shotgun, with a fixed or detachable feeding device (whether a
magazine or rotating drum or cylinder) capable of or readily modifiable
to accept over 10 rounds or ammunition in a handgun or rifle, or five
shells in a shotgun. It does not include any weapon operated by a manual
slide, bolt or pump mechanism. The state has created a roster of Large
Capacity Weapons. Note that any weapon that meets the above definition
is still considered a large capacity, even if it’s not on the list.
Aliens
A resident alien may apply to the State Police for an
alien permit to possess a non-large capacity rifle or shotgun. There is
no provision for an alien to lawfully possess any handgun or large
capacity rifle or shotgun. This permit is valid for one year, cost is
$100.00 and it expires at Midnight December
31st.
Non-Residents
Persons who are not residents of the Commonwealth may
apply directly to the state police for a non-resident license to carry
firearms. This permit is valid for one year.
Safe Storage Law
Keep your guns locked up! Under Chapter 140 section
131L, all weapons, when not under the direct control of the owner,
MUST be either kept secured in a locked container, or equipped with
a "tamper-resistant safety device" that makes the gun inaccessible to
anyone but the owner. Failure to comply with this carries severe
monetary fines, and prison time, up to ten years in certain
instances, as well as specifically assigning criminal liability to the
weapons owner if it is used in injuring or killing someone.
Change of Address
If you hold a License to Carry Firearms or a Firearms
Identification Card, you are required to make several notifications if
you move. You must send written notification (registered mail is
suggested) to: Chief Issuing FID/LTC and new the Chief for the city you
are moving to and the FRB in Chelsea.
Resources
General Laws of Massachusetts
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/index.htm
FID Issue: Chapter 140 Section 129
LTC Issue: Chapter 140 Section 131
Alien Permit: Chapter 140 Section 131H
Secure Storage: Chapter 140 Section 131L
Criminal History Systems Board, Firearms Records
Bureau
To download the applications for FID/LTC, the new
link is:
Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts
www.goal.org
National Rifle Association
www.nra.org
Fingerprinting
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As a service to Medford Residents only,
MPD will provide fingerprinting...
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on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at a
...
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cost of $5.00 per card (Cash, Personal Check
and/or Money Order Only)
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Note: These fingerprints are no longer taken for
Immigration purposes.
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This is a walk-in service and it does not
apply to Gun permits or F. I. D's. For Gun PERMITS/FID's you
have to make appointments for these.
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Call if you have any fingerprint questions
781-391-6772
