FID & LTC

Learn what Massachusetts law says about the different types of gun licenses.

License Types

Firearm Identification Card (FID)

A Firearms Identification card (FID) authorizes the holder to purchase, possess, and carry rifles and shotguns that are not large capacity or semi-automatic, such as pump shotguns or bolt-action rifles. It does not allow the holder to own or carry pistols.

The FID is valid for 5-6 years and will expire on the holder's birth date. The FID can be issued to someone who is 15+ years old. An applicant who is 14 years old may apply for an FID but it cannot be issued until the age of 15. Applicants under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian. The standard fee for an FID is $100. For applicants under the age of 18, the fee is $25.

License to Carry (LTC)

A License to Carry (LTC) is a card that authorizes the holder to buy, borrow, own, and carry firearms, including large capacity firearms and ammunition. An LTC is necessary to own and/or carry a pistol in Massachusetts. The term "large capacity firearms" has a specific definition that may confuse some people. For simplicity's sake, in the majority of cases this term can be thought of as being the same as "semiautomatic firearms".

The LTC can only be issued to applicants who are at least 21 years old, is valid for 5-6 years, and will expire on the holder's birth date. The standard fee for an LTC is $100. For active and retired law enforcement officers or local, state or federal government entities, the fee is $25.

Temporary License to Carry

A Temporary License to Carry, most commonly issued for non-residents, authorizes the holder to carry firearms, including large capacity firearms and ammunition in the state, much like the standard LTC. It does not, however, authorize the holder to buy firearms in the state. Unlike the FID and the resident LTC, the Temporary LTC is only valid for one year in most cases. The fee for a Temporary LTC is $100.

Citations

Address changes

Licenses must be updated with a current address. If your address changes you must update your license through the MIRCS Unified Gun Portal within 30 days after you move or change your address. This includes if you move out-of-state.

Expiration & Renewals

Massachusetts law requires a notice of renewal to be sent to license holders, either electronicaly or by mail, at least 90 days before the expiration date of the license. Fingerprinting is not required for renewals if they are already on file with the state police. There is no fee for FID/LTC renewal applications for applicants over the age of 70 or for law enforcement officers applying through their agency.

If you submit your renewal application before the expiration date, your license will remain valid until the application is approved or denied, even if the process extends beyond the expiration date. If a renewal application has not been submitted before the expiration date, the license will remain valid for up to 90 days after the expiration date. This 90 day grace period does not apply to Temporary LTCs.

Any licensee whose license expires while they are on active duty in the military will have the license continue to be valid until at least 180 days after release or, if a renewal application was submitted before the expiration date, the renewal application is approved or denied.