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Firearms Licensing | South Hadley, MA - Official Website
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Firearms Licensing
FIREARMS LICENSING
FIREARMS LICENSING
**NEW, online PORTAL to complete at Firearms License Application
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a new ONLINE portal to submit an Application for a Firearms License. The portal will be the preferred submittal method moving forward to make the process more convenient and streamlined for applicants. To access the portal, click HERE .
October 2, 2024: UPDATE to Firearms Law
Pursuant to An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws, signed into law by Governor Healey on July 25, 2024, effective October 2, 2024, any new LTC or FID applicant who applied on or after 08/01/2024 will be required to attend a Basic Firearms Safety Course (BFS) with live fire. The South Hadley Police Department will continue to accept BFS courses without live fire taken prior to April 2, 2026; however, applicants will be required, by law, to attend a BFS with live fire and provide that certificate upon renewing your LTC or FID.
Business Owner Update: Can I apply for or renew a LTC in the town where I own a business? Answer: No. Applicants can only apply for, or renew, a firearms license in the city/town where they reside. Non-residents of the Commonwealth must apply through the Firearms Records Bureau.
When submitting an application for a firearms license, please adhere to the following process ONLY if you are unable to use the online portal : Priority scheduling will be to those that use the online PORTAL
1. MAIL IN YOUR APPLICATION, SHPD, 41 Bridge St., South Hadley, MA do not come to the station to drop it off
2. If you have SCANNING ability, you may email your completed application form (PDF) to [email protected]
3. You will be contacted by phone shortly thereafter to schedule your appointment.
Please, provide an email address on your application to allow us to send documentation confirming we have received your application**
Policy
It shall be the policy of the South Hadley Police Department to issue Licenses to Carry firearms (LTC) or an FID in such a manner that the safety of the public and the licensee are protected. In order to ensure such safety, the department shall issue said permits in strict accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, section 131.
Firearms License Categories
There are different types of licenses based on the type of firearms to be possessed:
o License to Carry (LTC) M.G.L. Ch. 140 Sec. 131: Permits the purchase, possession, transportation, and carrying of all large- and non-large-capacity handguns, rifles, shotguns, stun guns, and feeding devices, as well as ammunition. This is the only license that allows the carrying of concealed handguns-either loaded or unloaded.
o Firearms Identification Card (FID) M.G.L. Ch. 140 Sec. 129B: Permits the purchase, possession, and transportation of non-large-capacity rifles, shotguns, ammunition.
o Firearms Identification Card (Restricted): Permits (15-17 year of age) to purchase, possess, and transport self-defense sprays (18 and older can possess without FID).
License to Carry (LTC) Requirements
o 21 years of age
o South Hadley Resident
o MA Certified Firearms Safety Course Certificate (after 04/02/26, all courses must include live fire)
o Driver's License or picture ID w/DOB
o Two proofs of residency (utility bill, credit card bill, excise tax/real estate bill, bank statement, etc.)
o Copy of Naturalization Certificate (If Applicable)
Firearms Identification Card (FID) Applicants
o At least 15 years of age (15-17) w/parent or legal guardian consent. Please print out and submit the required Parental Consent Form.
o South Hadley Resident
o MA Certified Firearms Safety Course Certificate or a MA Basic Hunter Education Course Certificate
o Driver's License or picture ID w/DOB (15-17 YOA School ID or Passport)
o Two proofs of residency (utility bill, credit card bill, excise tax/real estate bill, bank statement, etc.) (15-17 YOA Parent/Guardian provides proofs of residency)
FID Restricted (Self Defense Spray Only) Requirements (only applies to 15-17 YOA)
o 15-17 years of age w/parent or legal guardian consent
o South Hadley Resident
o Driver's License, School ID, Passport, etc.
o Parents/Guardian provides two proofs of residency (utility bill, credit card bill, excise tax/real estate bill, bank statement, etc.)
Training Requirements
In accordance with MGL Ch. 140, Sec. 131P (a) all first time Massachusetts firearm license applicants must successfully complete a Massachusetts Certified Firearms Safety Course or a Massachusetts Basic Hunter Education Course (FID ONLY) and submit a certificate of completion with their firearms license application. (after 04/02/26, all courses must include live fire)
o Certified Firearms Safety Courses are taught by independent instructors certified by the Massachusetts Department of State Police and are usually a 1-day course. Many local gun clubs and shooting ranges offer the approved course. Be careful in choosing the course because some approved courses incorporate live fire, others don't. Taking a firearms safety course is your best option if you are simply trying to fulfill the training requirement to apply for a Massachusetts firearms license.
o Basic Hunter Education Courses are administered by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife and are taught throughout the state by certified volunteer instructors and agency staff. The Basic Hunter Education course includes the recommended guidelines for all new hunters and is designed to teach proper safety and ethics in the field while hunting. (NOT valid for obtaining an LTC; FID ONLY)
o Link to the Firearms Safety Course List for the approved Basic Firearms Safety Course List
o MILITARY UPDATE: Current members of the United States Military are NO LONGER exempt from the basic firearms safety course requirements. You must complete an approved course and submit your certificate with your application.
Application Fees
License to Carry (LTC) & Firearms Identification Card (FID) $100/New Applicants & Renewals
*Over 70 Free to Renew only (New applicants over 70 are still $100)
*15-17 $25 for FID & FID Restricted
*Retired Law Enforcement Officer $25 to Renew
All fees are payable to "The Town of South Hadley" by Bank Check or Money Order upon initial interview. Personal checks, cash, and credit cards will NOT be accepted. All fees paid are used to process the application and are non-refundable. Note: Please do not send payment in with your application.
Application Processing
Once the applicant has completed the initial steps required of him / her, the department shall process the application as follows:
1. The application shall be given to the Chief of Police, or their designee, for processing.
2. The application shall be checked for accuracy and completeness.
3. The Chief of Police, or their designee, shall conduct a personal interview with all applicants prior to the issuance or denial of any license. The purpose of this interview is to clarify any matters still in doubt and assist in the determination of the applicant's suitability to be granted a license to carry a firearm.
4. Within 7 days of the receipt of a completed application and a personal interview for a License to Carry / FID, or renewal of same, the South Hadley Police Department shall forward a copy of the applicant's fingerprints to the Colonel of State Police, who shall within 30 days advise the South Hadley Police Department, in writing, of any disqualifying criminal record of the applicant arising from within or outside the Commonwealth and whether there is reason to believe that the applicant is disqualified for any of the reasons listed in this statute.
5. The department shall be sure that all forms, letters, and certificates required are attached to the application.
6. The Chief of Police, or their designee, shall then make a determination of whether a person is suitable to possess a firearm based on the facts of the particular application. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following persons are considered to be unsuitable to carry a firearm under M.G.L., Chapter 140, Section 131, and shall be denied a license:
o Anyone who has been convicted (or adjudicated delinquent or as a youthful offender) of a felony, a misdemeanor punishable by more than 2 years imprisonment, a violent crime, or a weapons or drug offense;
o Anyone who has been confined to a hospital or institution for mental illness, unless he / she has an affidavit from a physician stating he is not disabled by such illness in a manner that prevents him / her from possessing a firearm;
o Anyone who is or has been under treatment for or confinement for drug addiction or habitual drunkenness, unless deemed cured by a physician;
o Anyone who is undocumented;
o Anyone who is subject to an outstanding arrest warrant;
o Anyone who is subject to a suspension or surrender order or a protection order issued pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 209A.
7. License process can take 60 days or more. If approved, your permit will be mailed to you. Please, only contact the department for status updates if it has been MORE than 60 days since you applied.
8. Have you moved? A change of address must be reported ONLINE to the Massachusetts Firearms Record Bureau (FRB) Contact FRB with any questions (617) 660-4722. A change of address notification must be made within 30 days of its occurrence. Failure to so notify shall be cause for revocation or suspension of said license.
Disqualification
All applications will be approved or denied within the sound discretion of the Chief of Police, or their designee, subject to Massachusetts General Laws and the policy and procedures of this department as outlined above. Further, upon the occurrence of a disqualifying event, a license or permit which had been issued shall be revoked or suspended.
Any applicant or holder aggrieved by a denial, revocation, or suspension of a license, unless a hearing has previously been held pursuant to chapter 209A, may, within either 90 days after receiving notice of such denial, revocation, or suspension or within 90 days after the expiration of the time limit during which the South Hadley Police Department is required to respond to the applicant, file a petition to obtain judicial review in the District Court of Hampshire County having jurisdiction in the Town of South Hadley wherein the applicant filed for, or was issued, such license. A justice of such court, after a hearing, may direct that a license be issued or reinstated to the petitioner if such justice finds that there was no reasonable ground for denying, suspending or revoking such license and that the petitioner is not prohibited by law from possessing same.
Please contact Lt. David Gagne @ (413) 538-8231 Ext. 6312 or via email with any questions regarding the LTC & FID process.
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).