The Lawrence Police Department has the authority to issue firearms permits to Lawrence residents or persons who own a business in Lawrence. Applicants for a License to Carry (LTC) must be at least 21 years old. Applicants for a Firearms Identification Card (FID) must be at least 18 years old. A person between the ages of 15 and 18 may apply for an FID card with parental permission (explained below). All applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Important warning regarding older FID cards: If your current FID card does not have a fingerprint or photo of you on it, then it is expired, even if the card indicates that it never expires. New changes to the firearms laws require all FID cardholders to renew their cards. There is no grace period on expired FID cards. Expired cardholders caught carrying a weapon can be subject to a fine up to $5,000 and/or arrest.

Disqualifiers

In order to be eligible for either permit the applicant may not have ever been convicted in any court of the Commonwealth or any other state or federal jurisdiction for:

• A felony
• A misdemeanor punishable by more than 2 years
• A violent crime
• A violation of any law involving weapons or ammunition
• A violation of any law regulating controlled substances

A conviction is a finding of guilty for an adult or an adjudication of delinquency in the case of a juvenile. A dismissal or a continuation without a finding is not considered a conviction.

There is an exception for FID’s: Except for a violent crime or trafficking a controlled substance, if the FID applicant has been convicted five years or more prior to filing the application he/she would be eligible for an FID. The five years is calculated from the end of the confinement, probation or parole imposed as a result of the conviction.

Applicants are also ineligible if they are currently the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant in any state or federal jurisdiction or a permanent temporary domestic restraining order.

For a LTC the Chief of Police also has the final discretion to determine that the applicant is a “suitable person” and must have a “good reason to fear injury to his person or property, or for any other reason, including the carrying of firearms for use in sport or target practice only”.

Federally prohibited persons

The 1998 Federal Gun Control Act makes it unlawful for certain categories of persons to ship, transport, receive, or possess firearms. Transfers of firearms to any such prohibited persons are also unlawful under Federal Law. These categories include any person:

• under Federal indictment for a Federal crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
• convicted of a Federal crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
• who is a fugitive from justice;
• who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance;
• who is an illegal alien;
• who has been discharged from the military under dishonorable conditions;
• who has renounced his or her United States citizenship;
• who is subject to a court order restraining the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child or the intimate partner; or
• who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Procedures for Class A License to Carry (LTC)

Class A License to Carry Firearms (LTC) permits allow holders to purchase, rent, borrow, possess and carry a firearm (pistol or revolver), including large capacity ( more than 10 rounds) firearms (pistol or revolver) feeding devices and ammunition for all lawful purposes. The class A LTC will allow the holder to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry rifles and shotguns, including large capacity (more than 5 rounds) weapons and feeding devices and ammunition for all lawful purposes. This class allows the holder to carry a firearm concealed and loaded, unless other restrictions apply, such as “target only”.

The Chief of Police maintains the right to place any restrictions he deems necessary on individual Class A License to Carry permits.

Applicants for a Class A LTC will be required to submit the following:

• A completed LTC permit application,
• A birth certificate,
• Proof of citizenship or naturalization,
• Proof of residence in Lawrence or having a place of business in Lawrence,
• A letter from the applicant’s physician stating the applicant has no medical or psychological issues that would preclude him/her from owning, carrying, or legally using a firearm. A letter is not required on renewals,
• A firearms safety certificate, issued by a certified firearms safety instructor who has satisfied the requirements of the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police or a certificate issued by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, (Not required for renewals)
• Obtain a letter from their employer stating the reasons why they would need to carry a weapon for work-related purposes. If self-employed, a letter on their letterhead describing the reason that the carrying of a firearm is necessary. If the reason for the need to carry were not of a work-related nature, a letter explaining the need would have to be submitted.

Once the applicant has assembled all the necessary paperwork, he/she should drop it off to the Firearms Licensing Office. They will be contacted for an appointment, at which time they will be fingerprinted and photographed. The cost of the application or renewal process is $35.00, cash or check, payable to the City of Lawrence. This fee includes the two photographs. There will be no renewal fee for anyone over the age of 70.

Procedures for Class B License to Carry (LTC)

Class B license to carry firearms permits allow the holder to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry, non-large capacity (10 rounds or less) firearms (pistol or revolver), and feeding devices and ammunition for all lawful purposes. The holder can also have rifles & shotguns, including large and non-large capacity rifles and shotguns, feeding devices and ammunition for all lawful purposes.

A class B holder may possess a large capacity pistol or revolver at a Class A licensed shooting club, or under the supervision of a Class A licensee at a club or range.

The Chief of Police may impose such restrictions relative to possession, use or carrying of large capacity rifles and shotguns as he deems proper.

This class license does not allow the holder to carry a firearm (pistol or revolver) loaded and concealed.

Applicants for a Class B LTC will be required to submit the following:

• A completed LTC permit application,
• A birth certificate,
• Proof of citizenship or naturalization,
• Proof of residence in Lawrence or having a place of business in Lawrence,
• A letter from the applicant’s physician stating the applicant has no medical or psychological issues that would preclude him/her from owning, carrying, or legally using a firearm. A letter is not required on renewals,
• A firearms safety certificate, issued by a certified firearms safety instructor who has satisfied the requirements of the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police or a certificate issued by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. (Not required for renewals)

Once the applicant has assembled all the necessary paperwork, he/she should drop it off to the Firearms Licensing Office. They will be contacted to make an appointment, at which time they will be fingerprinted. The cost of the application or renewal process is $100.00, cash or check, payable to the City of Lawrence. There will be no renewal fee for anyone over the age of 70.

Procedures for Non-Restricted Firearms Identification Card

A Non-Restricted Firearms Identification Card (FID) allows the holder to carry non-large capacity (no more than 10 rounds in the magazine) rifles and non-large capacity (no more than 5 rounds) shotguns and to possess a firearm (pistol or revolver) in their home or on their property.

Non-Restricted Firearms Identification Cards (FID) do not entitle the holder to possess:

• Large capacity firearms (pistol or revolver) or large capacity feeding device except under a class A licensed shooting club or under the direct supervision of a holder of a Class A license issued to an individual at a shooting range, OR
• A large capacity rifle or shotgun or large capacity feeding device, except for a class A licensed shooting club or under the direct supervision of a holder of a class A or class B license issued to an individual at an incorporated shooting club or licensed range.

A Non-Restricted Firearms Identification Card (FID) shall not be valid for the use, possession, ownership, transfer, purchase, sale, lease, rental or transportation of a large capacity rifle or shotgun.

Applicants for a Non-Restricted Firearms Identification Card (FID) will be required to submit the following:

• A completed FID permit application.
• A letter from the applicant’s physician stating the applicant has no medical or psychological issues that would preclude him/her from owning, carrying, or legally using a firearm. A letter is not required for renewals.
• The person, if they are between and including the ages of 15 and 17 years old, must have a letter from their parent giving them permission to have an FID card. The parent must sign the letter in front of the licensing authority at the Police Station.
• A firearms safety certificate, issued by a certified firearms safety instructor who has satisfied the requirements of the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police or a certificate issued by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. (Not required for renewals)

Once the applicant has assembled all the necessary paperwork, he/she should drop it off to the Firearms Licensing Office. They will be contacted for an appointment, at which time they will be fingerprinted and photographed. The cost of the application or renewal process is $35.00 cash or check, made out to the City of Lawrence. This fee includes the two photographs. There will be no renewal fee for anyone over the age of 70.

Procedures for Restricted Firearms Identification Card

A Restricted Firearms Identification Card (FID) shall he issued for the sole purpose of purchasing or possessing chemical mace, pepper spray or other similarly propelled liquid, gas or powder designed to temporarily incapacitate. The holder of this card may not possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun.

Applicants for a restricted FID will be required to submit the following:

• A completed FID permit application.
• If the applicant is between the ages of 15 and 17 years old, provide a letter from the parent giving them permission to have an FID card. The applicant’s parent must sign this letter in the presence of the Department’s Licensing Officer.

Once the applicant has assembled all the necessary paperwork, he/she should drop it off to the Firearms Licensing Officer. They will be contacted to make an appointment, at which time they will be fingerprinted and photographed. The cost of the application or renewal process is $25.00 cash or check, payable to the City of Lawrence. The restricted FID card has to be renewed every four years, but there will be no “renewal” fee.

No firearms safety course certificate will be required for a restricted FID card.

Contact Information

Applications are accepted Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. It is suggested that you call in advance.