The Medford Police Firearms Licensing Section issues firearms permits to Medford residents pursuant to MGL Chapter 140.
You must be a current resident of Medford to renew your license with us.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. All renewal applications must contain the following:
- A completed application.
- A completed money order or a personal check made out to the City of Medford for $100.00. *If you are over the age of 70, there is no cost when renewing. New applicants over 70 still must pay the fee.
- If you are renewing with Medford for the first time we will require a copy of your current LTC or FID and proof of residency in the form of a utility bill or credit card bill.
Applications can be mailed or dropped off in our Firearms mailbox in the front lobby at 100 Main St Medford, MA.
- Take a Firearms Safety Course that is approved by the State Police. This is required by state law for all new issue permits after June 1, 1998. Check at your local gun club or www.goal.org to find a certified training program.
- The next step in the process is to fill out the application.
- Make an appointment with our firearms licensing Detective by calling (781) 219-5608. Bring with you to your appointment: a completed application, a check made out to the City of Medford in the amount of $100, and proof of your completion of an approved Firearms Safety Course.
A background check of criminal and other histories is run, and a set of the applicants’ fingerprints must be sent to the state police. All applications are sent through central processing and certified by the Colonel of the State Police. We have no control over the amount of time this takes. It could be as long as a few months depending on their workload. Please do not call about the status of your application, we will contact you.
Note: On the State application it states to have two photographs. Medford Police Department will take the photographs for licenses that we issue.
Firearms Identification Card (FID) allows the holder to purchase, possess and transport non-large capacity rifles and shotguns. It also allows a handgun to be kept in the home or place of business only if the handgun was purchased with a Permit to Purchase. It does not permit, under any circumstances, the carrying or transport of a handgun in public by the FID holder. The FID card is a “shall-issue” permit; the issuing authority is required to issue unless there is a disqualification. A License to Carry is a “discretionary issue” permit, with part of the criteria being the issuing authority’s determination that the applicant is a “suitable person.” The chief also has the authority to impose any restrictions he deems proper on the terms of the license. Note: For new residents renewing a License to Carry originally issued by another agency, the Chief requires proof of approved training at the time of application in Medford. This is even if your original permit was issued prior June 1, 1998.
License to Carry allows the holder to purchase, possess and transport Large Capacity Handguns, Rifles and Shotguns, as well as their respective large capacity loading devices; It further allows the bearer to carry a loaded, concealed handgun in public. This is the only permit that allows the holder to carry a loaded, concealed firearm in public.
Note from the Firearms Record Bureau (FRB): On June 23, 2022, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The case involved New York’s requirement that applicants demonstrate “proper cause” in order to obtain a permit to carry a firearm in most public places. The Court held that New York’s “proper cause” requirement violated the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. Although Bruen concerned a New York law, the Court specifically identified the “good reason” provision of a Massachusetts law, G.L. c. 140, § 131(d), as an analogue to New York’s “proper cause” requirement.
Based on this decision, any restrictions appearing on any license holder’s License to Carry (“LTC”)—limiting the license holder to carrying a firearm only for such activities as hunting, target shooting, employment, or the like—are no longer enforceable. As a result, if your LTC has any such restrictions, those restrictions are no longer enforceable. If you would like a new license issued to you to reflect this change before your renewal, you may contact your licensing authority. Otherwise, when you reapply for an LTC in the future, you will be provided a new LTC without any such restrictions provided that the licensing authority does not deem you to be a “prohibited person” or “unsuitable” under the law.
All of the above permits are valid for at least five, but no more than six years, expiring on your birthday. Important Note: There is a 90-day “grace period” on expired licenses to carry.
If you have the old version FID Card, (issued prior to 1998) it is expired, despite the fact it says on it that it never expires. There is no exception for the possession of any firearms, rifles or shotguns under an expired FID card. Do not carry or transport any arms out of your home under any circumstances. We would advise you to secure any weapons with a properly licensed friend, relative or dealer until such time as you obtain the proper permit.
You must notify in writing the licensing authority that issued the license, the chief of police into the town where you are moving, and the Commissioner of the DCJIS. The notice must be made by certified mail within 30 days of its occurrence.
You may request a name change through the licensing authority that issued the license. You can also complete a name change form online at the link above. You will not receive a replacement license for a change of name.