The Medford Police Department Firearms Licensing Unit processes License to Carry (LTC) and Firearms Identification Card (FID) applications for Medford residents.
According to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 131, the Chief of Police “may
issue to a person residing within their respective jurisdiction, a license to carry firearms in the
commonwealth, if it appears that the applicant is a suitable person to be so licensed, and the
applicant has good reason to fear injury to his or her person or property, or for any other proper
purpose.”
How to Apply or Renew
Online Applications – Preferred Method
The Medford Police Department strongly encourages applicants to submit firearms license applications online through the Massachusetts MIRCS Firearms Licensing Portal.
Through the portal, applicants can complete and submit their application electronically, as well as check on the status of a completed application. Once the application has been received, you will be contacted by the Medford Police Department Firearms Licensing Detective regarding the next steps in the licensing process.
Please do not call to schedule an appointment after submitting your application. You will be contacted by the Firearms Licensing Detective.
Paper Applications
Paper applications will continue to be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Completed paper applications and required documentation may be mailed to the Medford Police Department or dropped off in the Firearms Licensing mailbox located in the front lobby:
Medford Police Department
Firearm Licensing Unit
100 Main Street
Medford, MA 02155
Applications must include:
- A completed firearms license application.
- A personal check or money order for $100, made payable to the City of Medford.
- Applicants age 70 or older are not required to pay a fee when renewing a license.
- New applicants age 70 or older are still required to pay the applicable fee.
- If you are renewing your license through Medford for the first time, please include:
- A copy of your current LTC or FID; and
- Proof of Medford residency, such as a utility bill or credit card statement.
After your application has been received and reviewed, you will be contacted by the Firearms Licensing Detective regarding the next steps.
New Applicants
New applicants must complete a firearms safety course approved by the Massachusetts State Police before a license can be issued.
Proof of completion of an approved Firearms Safety Course will be required as part of the application process.
The Medford Police Department will take any photographs required for licenses issued by the department.
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 when your license or renewal has been processed and is available for pickup. If you submitted an application through the MIRCS Firearms Licensing Portal, you can check the status of your application in your account.
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.
Change of Address
You must change your address electronically within 30 days of your move in the MIRCS Unified Gun Portal. Paper copies of the Change of Address forms are no longer being accepted.
Change of Name
You may change your name in the MIRCS Unified Gun Portal. Note: reprinted licenses are not provided for name changes.