Bristol County. 2 documents captured.
Firearms Licensing
The first step in applying for or renewing a firearms license is to submit an application to the Taunton Police Department.
Click Here to download an application and view other resources.
PDF
Excel
Word
Zip
Powerpoint
Image
MP3
By Date
By Name
By Type
Show all files
| Size: 75 KB 14th May 2021 Firearms Application Guide
Next Page 1 of Prev
Specific information about licenses are contained below.
License to Carry Firearms
(High Capacity Firearms, Rifles and Shotguns)
This first step in applying for or renewing a Class A License is to submit an application to the police department.
First time applicants are required to complete a Basic Firearms Safety Class or approved Basic Hunter Education Courses and provide three references to include telephone numbers and addresses. The class must be a class approved by the Executive Office of Public Safety and taught by a certified instructor.
An applicant for a License To Carry Firearms, must be 21 years old, not be a “prohibited person” as defined in G.L. c. 140, §131 , and deemed to be a suitable person.
The holder of a License To Carry Firearms is entitled to purchase, possess and carry firearms, rifles and shotguns, including large capacity weapons and feeding devices and ammunition, for all lawful purposes, subject to such restrictions relative to the possession, use, and carrying as the licensing authority deems proper.
Please be advised that the Taunton Police Department will only issue firearms licenses to residents of the City of Taunton and that we do verify addresses.
Once you have completed your application and have your Basic Firearms Safety/Hunter Safety Course Certificate, if required, bring your application, certificate and application fee to the Clerk’s Office at the police station on Monday through Thursday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
There is a $100.00, non-refundable fee for all first time applicants and renewals under seventy (70) years of age. The Clerk’s Office will take cash, personal checks or money orders. Licenses will not be processed until personal checks have cleared. Upon receipt of your application, an appointment will be made with a licensing detective to go over your application. During this appointment, you will be fingerprinted and your photograph will be taken.
The Taunton Police Department uses the Massachusetts Instant Records Check System (MIRCS). This is a computerized system that cross references numerous databases across the country. We cannot overemphasize the importance of carefully answering the questions in the application. False statements or incomplete information serve as grounds for denial of the application and potential criminal charges. Every question needs to be answered. Many people fail to answer questions concerning build and complexion. These questions need to be answered in order for the application to be entered into the computer system. Failure to answer all questions will result in your application being delayed. Pay special attention to Question Four. If you have ever been a defendant in a criminal matter, it will show during the records check. It does not matter if the case was dismissed, sealed or you were told that it would not show up on your record. As part of the records check, we will check your record in all fifty states. The information from that offense may not disqualify you from obtaining a firearms license. The failure to disclose the incident may subject you to criminal charges for not completing the application truthfully.
Firearms Identification Card
This first step in applying for or renewing a Firearms Identification Card is to submit an application to the police department.
First time applicants are required to complete a Basic Firearms Safety Class or approved Basic Hunter Education Courses and provide three references to include telephone numbers and addresses. The class must be a class approved by the Executive Office of Public Safety and taught by a certified instructor.
An applicant for a Firearms Identification Card, must be 18 years old, or 14 to 18 years old with parental consent, not a “prohibited person” as defined in G.L. c. 140, §129B , and deemed to be a suitable person and not be statutorily disqualified. A person who is 14 years old may submit an application, but a Firearms Identification Card cannot be issued until the application reaches the age of 15.
The holder of a Firearms Identification Card is entitled to purchase, possess and carry non-large capacity rifles and shotguns. A restricted Firearms Identification Card may be issued to applicants between the ages of 15 and 17 for the sole purpose of buying and possessing self-defense spray, including “pepper spray”. Persons 18 years old and older are no longer required to have any type of license for self-defense sprays.
Please be advised that the Taunton Police Department will only issue firearms licenses to residents of the City of Taunton and that we do verify addresses.
Once you have completed your application and have your Basic Firearms Safety/Hunter Safety Course Certificate, if required, bring your application, certificate and application fee to the Clerk’s Office at the police station on Monday thru Thursday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
There is a $100.00, non-refundable fee for all first time applicants and renewals under seventy (70) years of age. The restricted license for self-defense spray for people under the age of 18, the fee is $25. The Clerk’s Office will take cash, personal checks or money orders. Licenses will not be processed until personal checks have cleared. Upon receipt of your application, an appointment will be made with a licensing detective to go over your application. During this appointment, you will be fingerprinted and your photograph will be taken.
The Taunton Police Department uses the Massachusetts Instant Records Check System (MIRCS). This is a computerized system that cross references numerous databases across the country. We cannot overemphasize the importance of carefully answering the questions in the application. False statements or incomplete information serve as grounds for denial of the application and potential criminal charges. Every question needs to be answered. Many people fail to answer questions concerning build and complexion. These questions need to be answered in order for the application to be entered into the computer system. Failure to answer all questions will result in your application being delayed. Pay special attention to Question Four. If you have ever been a defendant in a criminal matter, it will show during the records check. It does not matter if the case was dismissed, sealed or you were told that it would not show up on your record. As part of the records check, we will check your record in all fifty states. The information from that offense may not disqualify you from obtaining a firearms license. The failure to disclose the incident may subject you to criminal charges for not completing the application truthfully.
Renewals (Licenses to Carry & Firearms ID Cards)
Any firearms renewal applicant utilizing the portal to complete their application will need to drop off payment to the Taunton Police Records Office or their application will not be processed. Payment is $100 and can be by cash, check, money order or credit card, Checks or money orders payable to The City of Taunton . If you are 70 years of age or older and renewing your LTC / FID is free.
If payment is not received within 60 days of submitting your application, the application will be cancelled.
New applicants that utilize the portal still need to come in for fingerprinting, therefore please drop off a copy of your LTC/FID application with a copy of your safety certificate and the records department will schedule you for an appointment.
Records Department: 508-821-1471 ext. 3013 or 3018
Detective MacDougall: 508-821-1471 ext 3032
Detective Sergeant Balmain: 508-821-1471 ext 3030
OUR MISSION
The Taunton Police Department shall strive for excellence in performance and delivery of services to the total community. We will recruit, employ, and maintain personnel who reflect high professional standards. As we look to the future, it will be in a progressive and flexible manner that will meet tomorrow’s community needs.
Read more
Chief Edward James Walsh
Taunton Police Department
Edward James Walsh
Chief of Police
90 County St.
Taunton, MA 02780
24 Hour Emergency Line: 508-823-5000
Business Line: 508-824-7522
Always dial 911 in case of emergency.
Taunton Police Department Firearms Applications Guide
This guide has been completed to assist individuals applying for firearms licenses or renewals. Looking
at applications over time we have identified certain questions that we feel applicants may need assistance in
answering. Hopefully this guide will assist you in completing your application. If after reading the guide you
still have questions, feel free to contact the Licensing Division at (508) 821-1471, extension 123.
Demographic Information
This information is very important. All fields require an entry. Failure to fully complete this section will result
in a delay in processing your application.
LAST NAME: Your current, legal last name. If you have a suffix such as Jr. or the III, please annotate such.
MIDDLE NAME: Your full middle name, not just your middle initial. If you have no middle name, indicate
NMI (No Middle Initial).
IF CLUB LICENSE (Old Form): Do not enter any information here. This space is used by a club seeking a
special club license. It is not asking whether you belong to a gun club.
PLACE OF BIRTH: City and State. If you were born outside the United States indicate the city and country.
MOTHER’S MAIDEN NAME: Enter your mother’s full maiden name, not just her last name.
FATHER’S FULL NAME: Enter your father’s full name.
BUILD: There are three options. Large, Medium or Small. Choose one.
COMPLEXION: The state lists thirteen options. They are: Albino, Black, Dark, Dark Brown, Fair, Light,
Light Brown, Medium, Medium Brown, Olive, Ruddy, Sallow, and Yellow. Pick the one most appropriate for
your skin tone. If you are a new applicant, enter your race as well. This is required for the fingerprint card.
Renewals are not required to enter race information if they were previously fingerprinted as part of the
application process.
HAIR COLOR: Once again the state has provided a series of options: Bald, Black, Blonde, Blue, Brown,
Gray or partially gray, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Sandy, or White. Select a color from the list.
EYE COLOR: Choices are: Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Hazel, Maroon, Multicolored, and Pink.
EMPLOYED BY: Regardless of the type of license you are applying for, your employer’s information is still
required as part of the application. If you are unemployed, self-employed or at home, put that down.
Page Two
One of the biggest problems we face in processing firearms license applications is the failure of applicant to
fully answer questions 1 through 14. These questions need to be answered thoroughly and accurately. As the
warning on the application states, entering false information is a criminal offense. If you have any doubts
whether to include something, include it and provide an explanation. Failure to fully answer a question may be
perceived as an attempt to deceive the licensing authority. Whatever you do, do not lie on the application as it
is a crime.
QUESTION 1: ARE YOU A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES? Your answer will be either yes or no.
If you are naturalized, enter the date you were naturalized, the city and state where you were naturalized, and
the naturalization number.
QUESTION 2: HAVE YOU EVER USED OR BEEN KNOWN BY ANOTHER NAME? The largest
problem that we have encountered here are married women who fail to list their maiden name or a name from a
previous marriage. Maiden names and names from previous marriages need to be listed. Likewise, if you were
adopted and your name was changed, or you had a legal name change through the courts, we need that
information. If you adopted the use of a different name on your own, list it here.
Taunton Police Department Firearms Applications Guide
QUESTION 4? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY? A felony is defined by statute
as a crime punishable by death or imprisonment in a state prison. If you do not know if you have been
convicted of a felony, look at the charge and asked whether there was a possible state prison sentence. It does
not matter whether you were sent to prison, but whether the possible punishment could have been state prison
time. If the crime has a potential state prison sentence, then it is a felony.
QUESTION 5? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF THE UNLAWFUL USE, POSSESSION,
OR SALE OF NARCOTIC OR HARMFUL DRUGS AS DEFINED IN M.G.L. c.94C,§1? This question is
asking whether you have been convicted of a drug offense. This would include possession of marijuana.
QUESTION 6? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY
INCARCERATION BY MORE THAN (1) ONE YEAR? As with the previous question concerning
felonies, this question is asking you to look at the offense and determine whether the maximum punishment
exceeded one year in jail.
QUESTION 7: This question is asking whether you convicted as either an adult or a juvenile in any state or in
federal court for any of the offenses listed. (a) The definition of felony was provided in Question 4. (b) A
misdemeanor is a crime that is not a felony. So if a crime has a potential punishment in the House of Correction,
but not state prison, then it is a misdemeanor. If the potential penalty for the offense was more than two years in
the House of Correction, then you need to answer yes. (c) A violent crime is defined as 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: (i) has as an element the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force or a deadly weapon
against the person of another; (ii) is burglary, extortion, arson or kidnapping; (iii) involves the use of
explosives; or (iv) otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious risk of physical injury to another.” (d)
These are crimes in which a person is charged with illegally having a firearm or ammunition. (e) These would
be drug offenses discussed previously.
QUESTION 10: HAVE YOU EVER APPEARED IN ANY COURT AS A DEFENDANT FOR ANY
CRIMINAL OFFENSE (EXCLUDING NON-CRIMINAL TRAFFIC OFFENSES)?
This is the question that trips up applicants. If you have ever been to court as a defendant in a criminal matter,
you need to answer yes. It does not matter if the case was dismissed, whether you were found not guilty or
whether the record was sealed. Even if the judge told you that it would never show up on your record, it needs
to be reported. This includes juvenile offenses. If you were ever a defendant in a criminal matter, it will show
up on our records check. The offense involved may not disqualify you from getting a license. Failure to list the
offense is grounds for denial. If you have any doubt, list it.
Sign the back of the application and return it to the records section of the police department on
Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays) between 9 a.m and 4 p.m. When you bring your
application in, you will need to bring your application fee. The application fee is non-refundable. An
appointment will be set up for you to come in and be photographed, fingerprinted and interviewed.
The only thing you will need for the appointment is positive identification.
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).