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Purchase of Firearms-Massachusetts

Article 17 of the Massachusetts Constitution recognizes the right to bear arms.  It reads as follows: “The people have a right to keep and bear arms for the com­mon defense. And as, in time of peace, armies are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be maintained without the consent of the legislature, and the military power shall always be held in an exact subordination to the civil authority, and be governed by it.”

In Massachusetts, a Firearm Identification License (FID) is required for the purchase of rifles and shotguns and a permit is required to purchase a handgun[i]. When an application of a person qualified to be granted a license is received, the authority may grant a permit to purchase, rent or lease a firearm if it appears that such purchase, rental or lease is for a proper purpose, and may revoke such permit at will[ii].  The purchaser should not be a minor.  An applicant must have passed a State approved firearm safety course before applying for a license.  The Police Department issues all approved applicants their license and all licensing information is stored by the Criminal History Board.

The laws governing firearms are stated under ALM GL ch. 140, § 121 et.seq.

The main government offices that regulate laws relating to firearms are:

Firearms Records Bureau

Attn: Firearms License

200 Arlington Street

Suite 2200

Chelsea, Massachusetts 02150

Phone: (617) 660-4780

and

Massachusetts State Police

470 Worcester Road

Framingham, Massachusetts 01702

Phone: (508) 820-2300

Email: [email protected]

[i] ALM GL ch. 140, § 131E  

[ii] ALM GL ch. 140, § 131A


Inside Purchase of Firearms-Massachusetts