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After you receive you`re State Firearm Safety Certification the first thing you should know is that it will be a waste of your time if you go to the police station thinking that you can just walk in and fill out the gun permit application, 99% of police stations will send you away and tell you to make an appointment. So save your time by following these tips and good advice. It is not really an ‘Interview’ in the sense you might think, what they want is for you to fill out an application, they take your picture, fingerprints, safety certification, and your $100…….
*Save anything/everything you give to the police by making copies for your records, ANYTHING!* Duplication is key!
Follow these 6 steps to successfully gain your LTC or FID……
To read this chapter in full, and any other articles in the #Gun Sense series, it is available as an Ebook and a Paperback at Amazon under:
Gun Sense Massachusetts Gun Law Information and Common Sense Firearm Safety By Mark R. Shean Sr.
Gun safety for anyone anywhere.
The Kindle version is working now, the paperback Rated #1 at AMAZON in the Shooting section!! Check out GUN SENSE now. $15 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gun+sense+mark+shean&crid=2SFB5821L4UM7&sprefix=Gun+Sense%2Cstripbooks%2C146&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_9
Posted in Gun Sense
Yes, the law states 40 days, but do not hold your breath, on average it takes about 4 months.
Receive my LTC this week after my inquiry with you. Two days short of 6 months for the Town of Plymouth.
Hi, six months is quite a bit longer than normal which is around 4 months….but you got it! Safe shooting, please read #4 Gun Sense.
Mine has got approved within 42days i called to check on status and they said it was approved waiting on physical ID now ……2 weeks later
You are lucky, the average wait is 4 months, be patient.
Mark—Should I really refuse to accept a target and hunting restriction if applying in boston, where they almost exclusively give target and hunting restricted licenses?
That’s right Frank, if you do not fall under the reasons to be denied they do not have the legal authority to the deny the license that you apply for. Ask politely for a written denial letter and read #13 Gun Sense.
On the application where it asks to list any crime you have been in front of a judge for (I have a violation or 2 from years ago) can I type up all the information on my computer and print it and then attach it to the application, signed, or does it have to be hand written on paper?
Type it up and sign it Frank. On the application put an * and ‘See Attached Paperwork’, also make a copy for your file, you will need to submit the same info every time you reapply.
So on question 9 “have you ever been convicted as an adult” they are not specific at all. If I plead guilty to a violation (think harassment in the 2nd) does that mean, YES, I have been convicted?
Great article. Thanks for the post. I just got my unrestricted LTC in Salem, which I was shocked to get. All together time frame was early December I emailed for appointment, about 6 weeks just to meet with officer in mid January. The state approved and issued my permit 9 days later, but it took until mid march to actually have it sent from state to ny local PD. 3.5 months start to finish, and amazingly approved for unrestricted first attempt in salem who from my understanding hardly ever issues unrestricted.
Did you follow my tips when you applied?
I did not, I didn’t find this article until a few weeks ago when trying to figure why I had not heard back yet. Certainly going to recommend it to anyone I know that is applying! My interview wasn’t even an interview as much as only filling out application. Was never asked a reason for wanting/needing it.
I applied for my LTC on 12/8 and as of my follow up call the second week of February, she indicated they were just processing November’s applications and it would be a few more weeks. Since I applied in December, I bought a new house and moved. Do I need to notify the PD that I applied with that I moved or can I wait until the LTC is finally in and then follow all of the notification protocols? Some people are telling me I may have to reapply for the LTC in my new town but that seems ridiculous. Any insight? Thank you!
Hi Nick, On the application they ask for a reason. And if they ask for a ‘reason’ letter from you read #19 Gun Sense. Mark
The officer did not have me fill it out personally. She just asked me the info and typed it in herself, she never asked me that question.
Hi Krista, No, Wait until you get the license, (average wait is 4 months) then read #14 Gun Sense and follow the simple directions, you DO NOT need to apply again.
Very interesting, what town do you live in? It seems strange. This could mean they will issue it with a restriction like ‘Target and Hunting’ and wanted to slip it by you……always speak up and say the reason you want it ‘All Lawful Reasons’ or ‘Personal Protection’.
Time to renew!
PD says I must re-do entire application, to include two letters of reference (+ the affidavit) and application will not be accepted otherwise. True?? A renewal is the same as first time application?
True. They can ask for 5 letters if they want by law. The affidavit is simply stating that ‘no guns were stolen or lost in the last 6 years’. Read #33 Gun Sense. Also, you have to repeat the same court related information, (if any) every 6 years, so always keep a copy of your application to remind you what you said 6 years ago, and if anything new happened you have to bring that up now and every six years. Re-Read #39 G.S. carefully.
Having some trouble in my town- I have left incredibly polite messages for my renewal for 5 weeks or so now and haven’t heard a single peep back. My birthday (expiration) is in less than three weeks. Getting nervous. I called the station for an email, and the one they gave me was no good/it bounced back undeliverable…..
Last time I renewed there was no problem- it was all handled so quickly….
Hi Derek, Sounds like your going above and beyond. Send a certified letter to the licensing officer at the station and one to his chief, keep a copy for yourself. If they now allow your license to expire your old license will still be good until they get you the new one, read 39 again.
In this article you write “after 40 days if you have not been denied, your not going to be”. Are you saying that after 40 days if your not denied they will end up approving it or after 40 days there just not gonna send you a denial letter? I’m going on 10 months waitin for my ltc 2-3 phone calls 2 emails and about 4 visitors and no response from the LO!
I would contact the Firearms Record Bureau in Chelsea and ask them what’s going on. And I would send the Chief a certified letter asking why his department refuses to respond, and send the same certified letter to your selectmen, at the bottom of all letters including the chiefs put cc to every name you sent the letter to, this way they all know who got it and it makes it very difficult to avoid responding to you. Ten months is insane….
I put my application in 4 months ago with no response so I called the person in charge of licensing, he told me that I needed to make a appointment to be printed and photo and pay the 100$ but when I dropped off app there was no mention of that ! I have an appointment now to get printed and photo after that process can I still be denied?
Mike, I have never, ever heard of a town taking the application WITHOUT also taking you’re picture, finger prints and money all at the same time……What town do you live in? This is a bizarre story!
I spoke with the very nice woman at the state firearms bureau. And she told me Imhad been approved for my LTC (only 6 days after my interview). How long should it take to receive my actual license?
The average time frame is 4 months, it sounds like you may get yours sooner.
17 days after interview I received my unrestricted LTC
That is outstanding!! Wow! Some sort of new record! What town do you live in?
I still have not gotten any response it’s for my Ltc it’s been over 40 days!!
That’s a good sign, just be patient.
I took the gun safety course many years ago (15). husband did not feel I should get a LTC so I got a FID card for Mace. I let it lapse and now I want to get a LTC. Do I have to retake the safety course or just bring my certificate in with an application?
Hi Dee, Yes you would need to take the class again, a lot has changed in the laws since then. What town are you in? I travel the state giving the class, read my home page. By taking my class you will not need to be sending me questions later because you took the class somewhere else that was substandard. Most of my questions come from people that went to these so-called ‘schools’….
Hey Mark its been 45 days I know they had my application on hold for 2 weeks now does that still count as part of my 45 days?
No, I guess you have not read #39 Gun Sense yet….
Hey Mark, do you know if they mail you your LTC or do they call you to come pick it up? Im moving to a different location in plymouth and dont want it getting sent to my previous address if I already move by the time the card comes in
Hi Dom, just fill out a change of address card at the post office and it will be forwarded to you.
I had a TRO 10 years ago that was vacated by the court. Stamped and signed by the court under section F saying prior order shall be destroyed by all law enforcement. No court appearance or arrests ever on my record. What is the correct answer to being a subject of a 209a that was temporary and then vacated because the plaintiff never showed and the order was to be destroyed.
The best avenue is to mention it as accurately as you can. That way your base is covered and they can never say that you held any information back. It will not be a factor, I confident you will get your license if that’s all there is to report Chris.
Mark, yes my BOP was run and they had no records of me being in court for anything and I have never had any type of criminal activity nor have I ever been arrested. Just a civil case for a traffic violation involving a stop sign.
Do the best way to answer would be to say I did receive a 209a under subsection 4 but the order was vacated by the court?
Yes, with an the timeframe.
Hey Mark got a quick question!! Police station had my application on hold because they wanted a letter for employment! I ended up going to the station and told the clerk that my situation had changed so for now I just wanted it for all lawfull purposes the clerk made the changes and as of that day to today’s date it will be 40 days so is this a good sign or a bad sign?
Mark,
So I got a copy of the order that the court vacated nine day after the TRO was issued. The Plaintiff and myself both never showed up to the initial hearing.
I told the LO this as I did not want to put the wrong info down. The LO checked NO for me on the app and said it would not be a problem. Showed me my BOP and said even though it does show up in their system it has my last name spelled wrong, my birthday wrong and not my full name on the order and in their records of it. The LO said that it legally can not be used since all of that info is wrong and does not match my legal name and DOB. Also was told that they basically are looking to see if there is an active order or if the order was extended for a year. The LO approved everything on the PD side and gave it to the Chief. Waiting now for FBI and Mental Health Department checks. On my way out the LO said I would expect to have your FID card in by 2nd week in January.
Read Gun Sense #39
Sounds good
Mark,
I’ve read a lot about licenses expiring on your birthday. However, my current FID says it expires 6 years from the issue date, which is actually two months after my birthday. Is this a recent change in the law?
Thanks,
Brock
That is a mistake, it expires on your birthday just like your drivers license. So follow #39 when the time comes.
Today hits my 40 day after my application was on hold I’ve waited already a total of 80 days called the police station spoke to the clerk and she told me the chief is still reviewing it am I ok or should I worry
I would not worry, by law they either deny you within 40 days or they miss their chance.