This information is for those who live in Massachusetts and have either a Firearm Identification Card (FID) or a License to Carry permit (LTC). This information can save you from losing your gun permit and or paying a huge fine and loss of gun license;…..

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Gun Sense Massachusetts Gun Law Information and Common Sense Firearm Safety By Mark R. Shean Sr.

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30 Responses to “Gun Sense #14, Change of Address Notification Forms-and a Renewal ‘tip’, Ma.”

  • windangyle6669 says:

    Thank you once again Mark. I know that I sincerly appreciate all the information you post here and I believe that many other people do as well. It is ironic how the government is so quick to locate our guns (law abiding,licensed gun owners) yet they dont seem so interested in the illegal guns that are carried by the criminals. It will be a very sad day when the government goes door to door trying to retrieve the legal firearms- they will have a hell of time getting mine. My fiance (shawn) often says Id rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6. I very much agree with this. It is about time that our country follows the example of Switzerland and excepts the fact that an armed society is a polite society. If a criminal knows that every house in the neighborhood has a firearm they are not as likely to rob these houses. If you know that the man sitting next to you on the bus is carrying, your not as likely to start a fight. If the rapest/robber/mugger knows the small petite female walking to her car is carrying they are not as likely to try and attack her, and if the criminal examples are not that smart- then these inocent people can protect themselves. I have much respect for the police and other public servants, but the truth is they are more often than not a mop up crew to take pictures and clean up a crime scene rather then to save the day. So once again we are at the point where the government will control and put their thumb on the good people and let criminals victimize the innocent- well isnt that an example of a free country. I love my country and my fellow citizens but the government scares the crap out of me. Hold on tight and try to survive the ride, but I fear that if we dont start to speak and defend our selves and our rights we are in for alot of trouble and a long fight against those who claim they have our best intrest in mind. Dont let OUR country turn into a mass genecide example that history has shown us over and over again. Anyone who reads this post or any others should start to speak- comment- if we all speak they will have no choice but to listen! Again thank you Mark for not only giving us a place to learn but also a place to speak. Nelly NOTE: Your comments are always welcome because of their sincerity Nelly, so I thank you. Mark

  • Luke French says:

    Good information, Mark. Just one note: you wrote about sending the form to ‘the chief of police in your old city or town’. The form actually states that you should send it to the licensing authority that issued the FID or LTC. Since I’ve moved a couple times, I think it’s important to note that I’m not sending the info to the town I’m moving out of, it’s the town that gave me the license.

    Thanks!

    Luke

  • Mark Shean says:

    Hi Luke, Thank you for that oversight, I meant what you said only in the sense that ‘old city or town’ meaning where you lived and probably did have your license issued to you in the first place. You are correct, Thanks, M.S.

  • mark says:

    I have already been denied due to an address change, can I appeal it?

  • Mark Shean says:

    I would, please read #13 Gun Sense. And ask for an interview with the Chief, I don’t know what town you’re in but maybe he can be ‘reasoned’ with. it is worth a shot.

  • Peter says:

    What if the 30 days has come and gone. Will filing it late bring more attention on yourself? Also what if you changed residences but In the same town?

  • Mark Shean says:

    Could you give me a call tomorrow? 508-333-6151

  • Russell Joe says:

    I will be moving to a new location with in the second township would I still need to fill out forms and send?
    Thanks
    Russell

  • Russell Joe says:

    I will be moving to a different location within the same town do I need to fill out these forms and mail
    Thanks
    Russ

  • Mark Shean says:

    No Joe, only if you move to another town. The next time on the application just put your new address. I will look at Gun Sense #14, I thought I had put that in there?

  • Mark Shean says:

    If you received the license in the town where you live and you move to another street in that town then you do not need to fill out the forms. If you move to a different town you will need to fill out the forms within 30 days of moving.

  • Steve says:

    Mark, Thank you for the information you provide. I’m moving out of state and can’t seem to get the same answer from anyone regardless of who I speak with. Hoping you can help. If I move out of state and don’t notify the MA entities you noted my take is that my license will be revoked and that would hamper my ability to get a license in the state in the future if I chose to. My concern/question is that IF I fill out the form does the state then notify the state I’m moving to what guns I owned? I don’t feel it’s their business to know the guns I’ve owned and the state I’m moving to doesn’t ask what guns I own.

    The other option is to just notify the town that issued my license that I’m moving out of state and not fill out the form or don’t fill out the new address on the form. I’d appreciate your thoughts and knowledge on this topic. Thank you..

  • Mark Shean says:

    Hi Steve, if you move out of state it is no ones business but your own, you do not need to contact anyone in Ma. You will be required to fill out what ever the state your moving into requires you to do, that’s all.

  • Steve says:

    Thank you. So the only risk I have is if I were to ever move to MA again (which ain’t happening) that I wouldn’t be able to get my license there. There is no tracking of the movement of guns or anything like that to your knowledge where it would be kept and or reported on a national basis in the state that I move to correct? Thanks for your indulgence.

  • Mark Shean says:

    No, there is no tracking of guns, I do not know what state/town you are moving to but you will need to find out what you need to do, once there to get that states gun license, if they require one.

  • Kyle says:

    Mark, thank you for all of this helpful info. I applied for my LTC in my current town of residence (in MA) two weeks ago. They told me to expect it to take 9-12 weeks to process. Since then, I have found out that I am going to be moving to a new town, also in MA, while my LTC application is still in process. If it takes more than 10 weeks, it’s possible that the 30-day grace period for changing address will have passed, and I won’t even actually have my LTC yet.

    How do I handle this? Can I just wait for my current town to issue my LTC, even if I won’t be living there when they finally do so, and immediately file a change of address? Or do I have to re-apply in my new city when I move?

  • Mark Shean says:

    It normally takes an average of 4 months to get your license back Kyle, read #39 Gun Sense. What is your phone number? I will call you on this question. Email it to mshean1955@yahoo

  • Steve says:

    Thanks for this clear and in-depth article explaining everything.

    I just moved from Downtown to Charlestown, both boroughs of the city of Boston. Do I need to perform this change of address notification?

  • Mark Shean says:

    Hi Steve, Yes, unless they are both under the same police chief.

  • Thomas says:

    Hi Mark,
    Out of curiosity as someone as mentioned what if the 30 days has already passed. What would be the appropriate approach to that?

  • Mark Shean says:

    Would you like to email me Tom? Add your phone and I will call you tomorrow.

  • Bill Mccarthy says:

    Was just wondering. I reapplied for my mass LTC. I received a missed certified letter from the chief of police in my town West Springfield MA. I can not remember if that means my LTC is in come get it.

  • Mark Shean says:

    (“I received a missed certified letter”)
    Im not sure what that means? Call the station and ask.

  • Jennifer McPhee says:

    I moved to NC from Massachusetts. Do I just send the letter to the NC chief and DOD or all 3?

  • Mark Shean says:

    You moved out of state, you DO NOT have to notify anyone. You will need to see what the laws in NC say as far as what their requirement are concerning a gun license, if any. The change of address is only if you move WITHIN Ma. I thought I put that info under #14 Gun Sense?

  • Troy says:

    Mark, what is the definition of change of address? Is it the date from when you changed address with the RMV? Is proof of residency required for this form? For example: if you had a lease that was a few months old but you just “officially” changed address with the RMV within the 30 day period. Thanks.

  • Mark Shean says:

    30 days from the time you move is the ‘window’ to notify. You can email me if you want.

  • Kristin says:

    What about if you get married and change your last name. I can’t find any information on what to do in that case. I just called the bureau and they said to fill out the address form and write name change on it. Does the 30 day rule apply in this case because I got married in June and that was when I changed my last name. Also, will they send me an updated card I was denied purchase because my license and ltc didn’t match.

  • Mark Shean says:

    Hi Kristin, No there is no 30 day rule on this, this situation is not addressed at all. I tell people if this happens the next time that you renew your license, at that time on the application just put your new name. On the application you will find a question asking if you have ever been known by any other name, check ‘yes’ and just put your maiden name there. If you have any other question feel free to email me directly, it is on the home page.

  • Kyle says:

    My mass LTC expired in November 2017. I moved from the suburbs to Boston a year ago. I never did the change of address. I’m about to reapply for my LTC in Boston. Should I still do the change of address?

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