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Firearms Licensing | Salem, MA
Departments
Police Department
Licensing & Services
Firearms Licensing
Firearms Licensing
The Process of Obtaining Your License
Application processing for new and renewal firearms licenses are conducted by appointment only . No written (or mailed) applications are accepted.
First: Review the laws below to make sure you are not disqualified from obtaining a license.
Call or email Sergeant Ball for an appointment (and for answers to any questions you might have).
Review the application and be prepared to answer the questions.
Review the procedures to apply for or renew your license. Click here for the procedures . Expect to be fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed. You will be asked for two references (name, address and telephone), please, no letters of recommendation .
NOTE: If you are a naturalized citizen, or permanent resident alien, you must bring Naturalization papers, or your permanent resident alien card.
NOTE: For a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID), you will need to take a Massachusetts State Police-approved training course. Click here for Massachusetts State Police-approved courses.
NOTE: In most cases the fee is $100, otherwise if you are applying for a class D (mace permit) the fee is $25.
Application & Laws (For Review Only)
Application will be completed online by Sergeant Ball during your interview, however application and questions can be viewed at the following link:
MA Firearms Forms and Applications
It is not necessary to print an application as the process is done electronically. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Firearms Registration and Laws website .
We hope the information you find on this page is helpful to you.
Please read the following information completely:
Massachusetts Firearms Law Disqualifiers
All of the following crimes will disqualify a person from immediately obtaining an FID. However, if it is not a crime of violence, the person will be entitled to receive the FID after five years from the date of conviction or release from prison, probation or parole (whichever is longer). If this is the case, the person may only possess non-large capacity weapons with the FID card. On the other hand, if a person has been convicted of any of these misdemeanors, it will act as an automatic disqualifier for life from obtaining a LTC. In other words, if a person has been convicted of OUI he or she can never be issued a LTC in the Commonwealth.
All Massachusetts General Law (MGL) updates are maintained by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and this page is merely a reference and may be outdated or inaccurate.
Disqualifiers for FIDs & LTCs
The following partial list of offenses appear to meet the statutory criteria for violent crimes in Massachusetts. Violent crime shall mean any crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year or any act of juvenile delinquency involving the use or possession of a deadly weapon that would be punishable by imprisonment for such term if committed by an adult:
That has an element the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force or deadly weapon against the person of another
That is burglary, extortion, arson or kidnapping
That involves the use of explosives
That otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious risk of physical injury to another
Motor Vehicle Law MGL Chapter & Section
Driving While Under Influence Chapter 90 24
Crimes Against The Person MGL Chapter & Section
Murder Chapter 265 1
Manslaughter Chapter 265 13
Simple Assault Chapter 265 13A
Simple Assault and Battery Chapter 265 13A
Indecent Assault and Battery on Child Under Fourteen Chapter 265 13B
Assault and Battery to Collect Money Chapter 265 13C
Assault and Battery on a Public Employee Chapter 265 13D
Indecent Assault and Battery on a Mentally Retarded Person Chapter 265 13F
Simple Assault and Battery on a Mentally Retarded Person Chapter 265 13F
Indecent Assault and Battery on Person 14 or Older Chapter 265 13H
Assault on an EM.T., Ambulance Operator or Ambulance Attendant Chapter 265 13I
Assault and Battery on an EM.T., Ambulance Operator or Ambulance Attendant Chapter 265 13I
Wanton and Recklessly Permitting Injury to a Child Chapter 265 13J
Assault and Battery on an Elderly or Handicapped Person Chapter 265 13K
Mayhem Chapter 265 14
Assault With Intent to Murder or Maim Chapter 265 15
Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon Chapter 265 15A
Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon Chapter 265 15B
Attempted Murder Chapter 265 16
Armed Robbery Chapter 265 17
Assault While Armed With Intent to Rob or Murder Chapter 265 18
Armed Assault in Dwelling House Chapter 265 18A
Home Invasion Chapter 265 18C
Unarmed Robbery Chapter 265 19
Assault With Intent to Rob or Steal - Unarmed Chapter 265 20
Stealing by Confining or Putting in Fear Chapter 265 21
Carjacking Chapter 265 21A
Rape and Aggravated Rape Chapter 265 22
Rape of a Child by Force Chapter 265 22A
Assault With Intent to Commit Rape Chapter 265 24
Assault of Child With Intent to Commit Rape Chapter 265 24B
Attempt to Extort Money by Threat Chapter 265 25
Kidnapping Chapter 265 26
Use of Poison With Intent to Kill or Injure Chapter 265 28
Assault With Intent to Commit a Felony Chapter 265 29
Interfering With Constitutional Rights - if bodily injury results Chapter 265 37
Abuse of Patients in Long-Term Care Facilities Chapter 265 38
Assault and Battery or Committing Property Damage to Intimidate Chapter 265 39
Causing Injury in a Physical Exercise or Training Program Chapter 265 40
Stalking Chapter 265 43
Assault and Battery on Child Under Eighteen - Coercion to Join Gangs Chapter 265 44
Crimes Against Property MGL Chapter & Section
Arson of Dwelling or Aiding in Burning Chapter 266 1
Willful and Malicious Burning of a Building/Arson of Non-Dwelling Chapter 266 2
Burning Personal Property Over $25 - Burning Motor Boats and Vehicles Chapter 266 5
Burning Insured Property Chapter 266 10
Failure to Report Hotel Fire Chapter 266 13A
Burglary While Armed - Assault On Occupant Chapter 266 14
Burglary - Unarmed Chapter 266 15
Breaking and Entering With Intent to Commit Felony Chapter 266 16
Entering in Nighttime Without Breaking, B&E Daytime Building, Ship, Vessel or Vehicle Chapter 266 17
Entering Dwelling House in Night or B&E in Daytime Without Putting In Fear Chapter 266 18
Larceny from a Common Carrier Chapter 266 30(1)
Larceny from a Person Carrying on an Express Business Chapter 266 30(1)
Larceny Under $250 from an Elderly or Disabled Person Chapter 266 30(5)
Shoplifting Over $100 Chapter 266 30A
Obtaining Commercial Computer Service by Fraud Chapter 266 33A
Receipt of Deposit by Insolvent Banking Institution Chapter 266 54
Receiving Stolen Property Under $250 Chapter 266 60
False Statement to Motor Vehicle Insurer Chapter 266 111B
Obstruction of Medical Facility - Subsequent Offense Chapter 266 120E
Wanton Destruction of Property Over $250 Chapter 266 127
Destruction of Church or School Property Chapter 266 127A
Destruction of Jail Property Chapter 266 130
Restraining Orders 209A / 3B
Violation of a Restraining Order - 209A
Violation of a restraining order is a "violent crime", for the purposes of firearms licensing disqualification, if in violating the order, the defendant caused the victim physical harm, or threatened or attempted to cause the victim physical harm, or placed the victim in fear of imminent serious physical harm, or caused the victim to engage in sexual relations by force, threat of force or duress.
View the May 2023 Secure Firearms Storage Notification Resolution (PDF) .
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).