Firearms

NEW!! Applications done at the station on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Holden Police offers the required Firearms Safety Class on the second Wednesday of every month. For more details, go to their website http://www.holdenpd.com/firearms.htm.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Gun Control Act of 1998

Types of licenses:

Firearms Identification Card restricted (Mace/Pepper Spray)
Firearms Identification Card
Class B License To Carry firearms (non-large capacity)
Class A License To Carry firearms (Large capacity)
License to possess a machine gun (issued only to certified instructor or bona fide collectors only)

Effective 10/21/98, the Massachusetts Legislature modified the laws regulating the licensing and possession of firearms and other weapons. These changes will affect all persons currently holding an active FID card, or license to carry. The following definitions apply:

FID card (restricted) - This license allows the licensee to possess mace or other incapacitating chemical sprays.
FID card- (non-restricted)- This allows the licensee to possess non-high capacity rifles or shotguns, as well as those items described in the restricted FID card. A high capacity shotgun or rifle is one that is designed to hold more than 5 rounds of ammunition.
LTC-B- This license allows the licensee all of the privileges mention above, as well as the ability to purchase, carry and possess a non-high capacity handgun. This license does NOT allow the licensee to carry concealed. A non-high capacity handgun is one that contains less than ten rounds of ammunition in its feeding device.
LTC-A- This license allows the licensee to purchase, carry and possess large capacity and on-large capacity firearms, rifles and shotguns. They may carry these concealed. This includes handguns and rifles or shotguns. It also includes all the privileges from the licenses above.

FID cards formerly were issued for life, or until revoked. Under the new law, they are issued for 6 years. No person under the age of 15 may be issued a FID card. No person between the ages of 15 and 18 may be issued a FID card without parental permission.

This information is a brief synopsis of important dates in the legislation and is not intended to set forth all of the obligations and rights of individuals with regard to firearms laws.

Immediate Revisions to Gun Control Act:

Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2004 takes effect immediately and includes the following:

Continued ban on certain assault weapon;
Extending the term of FID cards and LTC from four to six years (applicable to licenses issued on or after September 14, 2004);
Provision for a grace period 90 days following the expiration of a license;
Exemption of the LTC renewal fee for active law enforcement officers;

Establishment of a firearm license review board which will review applications from individuals convicted of a certain misdemeanor offenses who are disqualified under current law. See the Gun Laws section of the Massachusetts Public Safety website for more detailed information at http://www.mass.gov.

Rutland Police Department
242 Main Street - P.O. Box 242
Rutland, Massachusetts 01543