A Firearm Identification Card, commonly called an FID Card, generally permits the holder to purchase and possess rifles and shotguns that are not classified as large-capacity or semiautomatic, along with the appropriate ammunition. A License to Carry, or LTC, provides broader privileges, including the purchase, possession, and carrying of handguns, subject to Massachusetts law. An LTC does not override restrictions on prohibited firearms, feeding devices, locations, or conduct.

Everett residents apply through the Everett Police Department as their local licensing authority. Applications and renewals may be initiated through the Commonwealth’s MIRCS Unified Gun Portal. Applicants must follow any additional instructions provided by the Everett Police Department and attend an in-person appointment or interview when required.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old to apply for a Massachusetts License to Carry. Residents who are at least 18 may apply for an FID Card. Applicants between the ages of 15 and 17 may apply for an FID Card with the written permission of a parent or legal guardian and are subject to additional restrictions.

Most first-time applicants must successfully complete a Massachusetts State Police-approved Basic Firearms Safety Course and provide the resulting certificate with the application. The course and instructor must be approved for the type of license requested. Certain statutory exemptions may apply, and some existing license holders are exempt from additional training when renewing.

Applicants should be prepared to provide a completed application, government-issued photo identification, proof of Everett residency, their Basic Firearms Safety Certificate when required, and the applicable licensing fee. Renewal applicants should also have their current or most recently issued firearms license. Additional documents may be requested based on the applicant’s circumstances.

The standard application or renewal fee for an adult resident FID Card or LTC is $100. An FID Card for an applicant under age 18 is $25. Massachusetts residents over age 70 are exempt from the renewal fee. Application fees are generally nonrefundable, including when an application is withdrawn or denied.

First-time applicants must generally be fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed as part of the application process. Massachusetts law requires a personal interview for an initial LTC application. Fingerprinting may not be required for a renewal when the applicant’s fingerprints are already on file, although an appointment may still be necessary.

Massachusetts law generally requires the licensing authority to approve or deny a completed application within 40 days. However, a license cannot be issued until all required state and federal background checks and certifications have been completed. Incomplete applications or missing documentation may delay processing.

Applicants should submit a renewal before their current license expires and allow sufficient time for processing. Resident FID Cards and LTCs are generally valid for approximately six years and expire on the license holder’s birthday. Under Massachusetts law, an expired resident license may remain valid for lawful purposes when a complete renewal application has been submitted before expiration and remains pending. Applicants should retain their application receipt as evidence of a timely renewal.

A license holder must report an address change through the Commonwealth’s electronic firearms system within 30 days of moving. A name change must also be reported through the appropriate state process. Updating a driver’s license, voter registration, or postal address does not automatically update a firearms license record. Visit the state’s Report an Address or Name Change page for instructions.