Essex County. 2 documents captured.
Firearms Licensing Essex Police Department
To apply for a Firearms Identification Card (F.I.D.) or License To Carry (L.T.C.)
Contact the Essex Police Department – and schedule an appointment with one of our Licensing Officers.
Fill out the attached Massachusetts Resident LTC/FID Application and bring it along with any supporting documents with you to your scheduled appointment.
FEES : Please bring a CHECK for $100 payable to the Town of Essex at the time of submitting your application. (Check only, cash is not accepted). Persons over 70 years of age: No cost for renewal.
Questions regarding Firearms and/or Firearm Licensing?
Please refer to our Firearms FAQ s
New LTC applicants
Must be 21 years of age or older to obtain a permit. In accordance with MGL Ch. 140, Sec. 131(a) & (b); Issuing of LTCs is also “subject to such restrictions relative to the possession, use or carrying of firearms as the licensing authority deems proper” An LTC costs $100.00 and is valid for 6 years.
New FID applicants
Must be 18 years or older (or 14-17 years of age with parental consent. Applicants 14 years old may apply, but will not be issued the card until they reach age 15). In accordance with MGL Ch. 140, Sec. 129B; “Any person residing or having a place of business within the jurisdiction of the licensing authority or any person residing in an area of exclusive federal jurisdiction located within a city or town may submit to the licensing authority an application for a firearm identification card, or renewal of the same, which the licensing authority shall issue if it appears that the applicant is not a prohibited person”. The fee for an FID card is $100.00 for people 18 years of age or older and $25 for applicants under 18 years of age. It is valid for 6 years.
Firearm License Renewals
Firearm licenses are valid for 6 years. You must submit a request with Essex Police Department for a renewal prior to the expiration date of your current license. If your application for renewal is made prior to the expiration date, your current license remains valid until the renewal is either approved or denied. Additional training is not required.
Chemical Spray (MACE)
FID card for Chemical Spray is not required unless applicant is under the age of 18.
Training Requirements
In accordance with MGL Ch. 140, Sec. 131P (a) all first time firearm license applicants must successfully complete a MA Certified Firearms Safety Course or a Basic Hunter Education Course and submit a certificate of completion with their firearms license application.
Certified Firearms Safety Courses
Courses are taught by independent instructors certified by the Mass. Department of State Police and are usually a 1-day course. Taking a firearms safety course is your best option if you are simply trying to fulfill the training requirement to apply for a Mass. firearms license.
Basic Hunter Education Courses
Courses are administered by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife and are taught throughout the state by certified volunteer instructors. The Basic Hunter Education course includes recommended performance guidelines for all novice hunters. People interested in obtaining a hunting license as well as apply for an FID should take this course.
Licenses will be issued for the following reasons and restrictions will apply in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140 Sections 129B and 131.
Licenses to carry are subject to the following restrictions relative to possession, use or carrying firearms as the Licensing Authority deems proper.
No Restriction
Basic Safety Course Certificate plus proof of completion of an “Advance Gun Course” 1 .
Restricted – For Target, Hunting, Sporting, Collecting, and Re-enactment.
Basic Safety Course Certificate
Any improper use reported to our department may result in the permanent revocation of your License to Carry Firearms on the grounds of suitability. If you are denied or disqualified for any reason you will be notified in writing of both the reason for denial and the appeal process.
1 Instructor course pamphlets are available in the Police station lobby. (Instructors are not affiliated with the Essex Police Department).
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FAQs - CivicPlus.CMS.FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions
Police Department (archive)
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Motor Vehicle Law FAQ
My child is 17 years old and just got her driver’s license. When it comes to passengers in the vehicle, and time of day, what do I need to know?
A Junior Operator is by definition, any person who is under the age of 18 years old and holds a valid driver’s license. Under the Junior Operator’s Law, otherwise known as JOL, there are (3) restrictions as follows:
JOL licensees may not operate a motor vehicle with a passenger(s) under 18 years old within the first 6 months of receiving the JOL. The only exceptions are; any immediate family member (i.e. sibling); or when accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years old, with at least 1 year of driving experience and occupying the seat next to the JOL; or the JOL is an “emancipated minor”.
No person holding a Junior Operator's license shall operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; or the JOL is an “emancipated minor”. A junior operator operating a motor vehicle during these hours is considered unlicensed and is subject to arrest.
No person holding a Junior Operator’s license shall operate any vehicle requiring a Commercial Driver’s license (CDL).
How old does my child have to be to get a permit to operate a motor vehicle?
Any person who is at least 16 years of age and has not had a driver's license or right to operate taken away by the Registrar, may apply for a Class D (passenger) permit at any RMV full service office.
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Drugs & Alcohol FAQ
I have decided to apply for a license to carry firearms. Am I required to take any classes before applying?
Yes, all first time applicants are required to have taken and successfully completed a Basic Firearms Safety course sanctioned by the Mass. State Police.
What do I have to do to renew my License to Carry Firearms or F.I.D. card?
Come in to the Essex Police station between 4:00pm and 6:00pm any Thursday evening and bring with you a photo id (current LTC or FID), and a check for $100.00 made out to the “Town of Essex”, or $25.00 check for a Chemical Propellant Only license.
My son is 17 years old. Can he acquire an LTC or an F.I.D. card?
Although Massachusetts law states one must be 21 years old for an LTC and 18 for an F.I.D. card, a 15 year old and above can be issued an F.I.D. card, with the written permission of a parent or legal guardian providing he or she is not otherwise disqualified.
I have applied for an LTC and paid the $100.00 fee. After the police processed my application, I was advised that I was Statutorily Disqualified due to a drunken driving case that I had. Am I entitled to my fee back?
Once you apply and the process has started, the fee does not have to be returned if you fail to qualify to get your license.
Police Department (archive)
Firearms FAQ
I have decided to apply for a license to carry firearms. Am I required to take any classes before applying?
Yes, all first time applicants are required to have taken and successfully completed a Basic Firearms Safety course sanctioned by the Mass. State Police.
What do I have to do to renew my License to Carry Firearms or F.I.D. card?
Come in to the Essex Police station between 4:00pm and 6:00pm any Thursday evening and bring with you a photo id (current LTC or FID), and a check for $100.00 made out to the “Town of Essex”, or $25.00 check for a Chemical Propellant Only license.
My son is 17 years old. Can he acquire an LTC or an F.I.D. card?
Although Massachusetts law states one must be 21 years old for an LTC and 18 for an F.I.D. card, a 15 year old and above can be issued an F.I.D. card, with the written permission of a parent or legal guardian providing he or she is not otherwise disqualified.
I have applied for an LTC and paid the $100.00 fee. After the police processed my application, I was advised that I was Statutorily Disqualified due to a drunken driving case that I had. Am I entitled to my fee back?
Once you apply and the process has started, the fee does not have to be returned if you fail to qualify to get your license.
Police Department (archive)
Accident Reporting Requirements FAQ
I was involved in an accident. Do I have to report it?
Any accident where damage to property is over $1000, where there were injuries sustained or the driver of one of the vehicles left the scene MUST be reported to the police. Even if you were involved in a minor motor vehicle accident, you are required to stop and exchange information with the other driver; name, address and license/registration information.
If I have been involved in an accident as described above, what should I do now?
Police should be called to the scene. Notify police as to where the accident took place, if anyone is injured and how many cars are involved. If it is safe to do so, move the vehicles out of the roadway. Provide your driver's license and vehicle registration to the responding officers. Avoid arguments with the other driver about who caused the collision. The responding officers will ask you questions about the accident and the possible causes. Do I have to complete an accident report?
If your accident is as described above, YES you must complete an accident report. You may pick up a copy of an accident report from any police station, or download the form from this website. Three copies of the report must be completed. One copy will be returned to the police station, one
Police Department (archive)
Restraining Orders / Harassment Prevention FAQ
My ex-boyfriend has been very threatening toward me. How do I get a restraining order?
I f you need a 209A Restraining Order and the Gloucester District Court at 197 Main Street in Gloucester is open (Monday-Friday 8:30am - 4:00 pm), please go directly to the Court and the staff in the Clerk’s Office will assist you. If the situation is an emergency and the Court is closed, please come into the Essex Police Department and speak with an officer, who will assist you with the proper paper work and judicial notifications. In the event that you are in imminent danger, call 911. An officer will be dispatched to your location to speak with you. In some circumstances, a temporary restraining can be issued at the scene by an on-call judge. Once you receive a restraining order, keep a copy near or with you at all times in the event the defendant attempts to contact or harm you.
I started a new job recently and a new co-worker has been harassing me. Can I get a 209A Restraining Order against her?
In the event that you are being harassed by someone that you are not related to, have never lived with nor had any sort of relationship with, you would not qualify for a 209A Restraining Order, but may qualify for a 258E Harassment Prevention Order. Gloucester District Court and the Essex Police Department can guide you in this process.
What can I do about the annoying or harassing phone calls I have been receiving?
If you are receiving annoying, harassing telephone calls, the police department should be called because making such calls is against the law. An officer will speak with you and provide you with an "incident number" that your carrier will need. Call your carrier and request to speak with a representative from their Annoyance Call Bureau. Your phone carrier will give you detailed instructions on handling further calls and then will attempt to determine the origin of the calls. Once the location of the calls had been identified, the phone carrier will notify the Essex Police and an officer will investigate the incident. The Verizon "Unlawful Call Center" can be reached at 1-877-TRACE4U (1-877-872-2348).
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The provisions a municipal licensing page most often touches: G.L. c. 140, § 131 (licenses to carry), G.L. c. 140, § 121F (applications, suitability, judicial review), G.L. c. 140, § 131P (the safety certificate).