TAUNTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Obtaining a LTC or FID Card

FIREARMS LICENSE PROCEDURE REVISED 3/22/02
HOW TO APPLY

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION, AVAILABLE AT THE TAUNTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE TAUNTON POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUES PERMITS FOR TAUNTON RESIDENTS. MAKE SURE YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETELY AND ACCURATELY FILLED OUT, INCLUDING EMPLOYER INFORMATION.

DROP OFF YOUR APPLICATION WITH 100.00 CASH FEE TO THE CLERK’S OFFICE TUESDAY or THURSDAY 8:00 AM– 4:00PM. THIS FEE INCLUDES YOUR PHOTOS. IF YOU ARE OVER 70 YEARS OLD, THERE IS NO FEE.

AFTER ONE WEEK, CALL CAPTAIN ROSTER DIRECTLY AT 508-821-1477 BETWEEN 11:OO AM – 12:00 NOON TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

SAFETY COURSE
IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR AN FID OR LTC FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATE SHOWING COMPLETION OF A BASIC FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE TAUGHT BY A MASS STATE CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR OR THE MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE (HUNTER EDUCATION CARD). THIS COURSE MUST BE TAKEN AS OF OCTOBER 1998 DUE TO CHANGES IN GUN SAFETY LAWS. CERTIFICATES DATED PRIOR TO THIS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. THERE ARE MANY CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS. CONTACT GUN CLUBS OR DEALERS OR COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE.

RENEWALS AND RESTRICTED FID CARDS (MACE AND PEPPER SPRAY) DO NOT REQUIRE A SAFETY COURSE.

NOTE: PERMITS ARE ISSUED BASED UPON YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD AND SUITABILITY. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT IF DENIED.

PLEASE CONTACT CAPTAIN JOHN ROSTER AT 508-821-1471 DURING OFFICE HOURS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

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License to Carry Firearms

There are two classes of License To Carry Firearms: Class A and Class B.

Class A License To Carry To Firearms authorizes the possession and carrying of large capacity firearms (pistols & revolvers), rifles and shotguns, and feeding devices. (A weapon is a large capacity if it is semi-automatic and is or is able to accept a feeding device of more than ten rounds, or more than five shotgun shells, or is an assault weapon). A Class A License To Carry Firearms is required to carry a loaded weapon in a concealed manner in a public place or upon a public way.

Class B License To Carry Firearms authorizes the possession and carrying of non-large capacity firearms as well as large capacity rifles and shotguns.

No person under the age of twenty one (21) may be issued either a Class A or Class B License To Carry Firearms. License To Carry Firearms' are now valid for four years.

Firearms Identification (FID) Cards

A Firearms Identification Card authorizes the possession of non-large capacity rifles and shotguns. There is now an additional Firearms Identification Card that authorizes the possession of chemical sprays only, it does not authorize the possession of rifles or shotguns. Where Firearms Identification Cards used to be issued for life, they now have a four year term.

No person under the age of fifteen may be issued a Firearms Identification Card. No person who is fifteen but less than eighteen may obtain a Firearms Identification Card without parental consent.

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There are many Massachusetts Firearms Laws that firearms owners should be aware of. Some of these laws have been summarized below. These are only summaries and you should consult the actual laws for more information. Ignorance of the law is no defense in a court of law.

Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle (Class A)

No person shall carry a loaded firearm under a Class A license in a motor vehicle unless the firearm being carried is under the DIRECT control of such person.

Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle (Class B)

No person shall carry a firearm under a Class B license in a motor vehicle unless such weapon is unloaded and contained within the trunk of the vehicle, or in a locked case or other secure container.

Large Capacity Weapons In a Vehicle

No person possessing a large capacity rifle or shotgun under a Class A or B license shall possess the same in a vehicle unless the weapon is unloaded and contained in the trunk, or locked in a case or other secured container.

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Security of Weapons

With the changes to Massachusetts Firearms Laws in 1998, storage and security of firearms has become a very important firearms owner responsibility.

Massachusetts General laws Chapter 140-131L requires that firearms when not being carried be secured in a locked container or otherwise equipped with a tamper resistant mechanical lock or other safety device engaged.

Failure to secure a large capacity weapon is a ten year felony/$10,000 fine with a minimum of one year imprisonment and/or $1000 fine.

Failure to secure a non-large capacity firearm is misdemeanor.

To further complicate the issue, if you have children in your house, failure to secure any weapon would be considered a felony.

Carrying a Loaded Firearm Under the Influence

It is illegal to carry a loaded firearm, rifle or shotgun (as defined under C.140, s.121) while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, controlled substance, or depressant or stimulant substances.