The state legislature made sweeping and extensive changes to the Commonwealth's gun laws in 1998. The laws are multi-faceted and complex, and this web page is offered for informational purposes only. It is not offered as any definite legal position, guarantee of issuance or binding legal interpretation by the Hull Police. If you have a specific legal issue regarding ownership, possession or transportation as well as your eligibility (or lack thereof) for the various types of firearms you are advised to speak to a lawyer for a qualified legal opinion.

Steps to Follow in Applying for a License:

• The first step is to take a Firearms Safety Course that is approved by the Massachusetts State Police. A certificate of completion will be granted to you upon successful completion of the course. Check at your local gun club or www.goal.org to find a certified training program.
• The second step in the process is to contact the Hull Police Department, Firearms and Licensing Unit in order to schedule an appointment for an interview, and for additional requirements. To schedule an appointment or for further questions, you may call (781) 925-1212 to speak with  the Licensing Officer. All permits that are issued are valid for a term of six years.
• Applicants applying for the License to Carry or the Firearms Identification Card will submit a personal check or money order for $100.00 dollars. This fee is non-refundable. There is no fee for persons over the age of 70 for renewals only. All requested documentation and fee are due at the time of the interview.
• If you are applying for a Firearms Identification Card that is restricted only to chemical propellant, you will need to submit a $25.00 non-refundable application fee. There is no safety course required. If you are renewing this license or over the age of 70, the license is free of charge. All requested documentation and fees (if applicable) are due at the time of the interview.
• All checks or money orders will be made out payable to the Town of Hull. No cash or credit cards accepted.
• The licensing authority of the Hull Police Department reviews the application. Applicants will be notified by mail once the application process is completed.

Resident Aliens

A resident alien may apply to the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) for an alien permit to possess a non-large capacity rifle or shotgun. This permit is valid from January 1st and expires Midnight December 31st. You may contact the CHSB @ (617) 660-4638 for an application. For specific questions, please contact (CHSB) directly.

Non-Residents

Persons who are non-residents of the Commonwealth may apply directly to the (CHSB) for a non-resident license to carry firearms. This permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. You may contact the Criminal History Systems Board at 617-660-4638 for an application.

Change of Address

If you possess a License to Carry Firearms or a Firearms Identification Card you are required to make notification if you move within 30 days of its occurrence. You must send written notification (registered mail is suggested). You can obtain a change of address form by calling the Licensing Unit at 781-925-1212 or by downloading the application. Detailed instructions are located on the Change of Address form.

What You Need To Know

DISQUALIFIERS FOR ALL TYPES OF FIREARMS LICENSES

 1. A CONVICTION (OR ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT OR AS A YOUTHFUL OFFENDER) FOR A FELONY, A MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE BY MORE THAN TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT, A VIOLENT CRIME, WEAPONS OR DRUG OFFENSE.

EXCEPTION: EXCEPT FOR THE COMMISSION OF A VIOLENT CRIME OR A CRIME INVOLVING THE TRAFFICKING OF WEAPONS OR DRUGS, FIVE YEARS AFTER RELEASE FROM CONFINEMENT, PROBATION OR PAROLE THIS DISQUALIFIER IS REMOVED.

 2. CONFINEMENT TO ANY HOSPITAL OR INSTITUTION FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, UNLESS YOU SUBMIT AN AFFIDAVIT OF A REGISTERED PHYSICIAN ATTESTING THAT SUCH PHYSICIAN IS FAMILIAR WITH YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS AND THAT IN SUCH PHYSICIAN'S OPINION YOU ARE NOT DISABLED BY SUCH ILLNESS IN A MANNER THAT SHOULD PREVENT YOU FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM, RIFLE OR SHOTGUN.

 3. ARE OR HAVE BEEN UNDER TREATMENT FOR OR CONFINEMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION OR HABITUAL DRUNKENNESS.

 EXCEPTION: UPON THE PASSAGE OF 5 (FIVE) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF CONFINEMENT OR TREATMENT AND UPON PRESENTATION OF AN AFFIDAVIT ISSUED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN TO THE EFFECT THAT HE OR SHE KNOWS YOUR HISTORY OF TREATMENT AND IN HIS OR HER OPINION YOU ARE DEEMED CURED, THIS DISQUALIFIER IS REMOVED.

 4. LESS THAN 18 (EIGHTEEN) YEARS OF AGE.

 EXCEPTION: IF YOU ARE 15, 16 OR 17 YEARS OLD, AND SUBMIT A NOTARIZED LETTER FROM YOUR PARENT OR GUARDIAN GRANTING THE APPLICANTS PERMISSION TO APPLY FOR A CARD.

 5. ARE AN ALIEN.

 6. ARE CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT TO AN ORDER FOR SUSPENSION OR SURRENDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3B OR 3C OF CHAPTER 209A OR A SIMILAR ORDER ISSUED BY ANOTHER JURISDICTION, OR A PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY PROTECTION ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 209A OR A SIMILAR ORDER ISSUED BY ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 7. ARE CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF AN OUTSTANDING ARREST WARRANT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL JURISDICTION.

 DISQUALIFIERS FOR ALL OTHER LICENSES (CLASS A LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS, CLASS B LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS, PERMIT TO PURCHASE AND LICENSE TO POSSESS A MACHINE GUN).

 WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS, THE DISQUALIFIERS ARE THE SAME AS THE DISQUALIFIERS FOR THE FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION CARD.

 1. THE EXCEPTION IN PARAGRAPH 1 ABOVE DOES NOT APPLY HERE. ANY FELONY CONVICTION, A MISDEMEANOR CONVICTION PUNISHABLE BY MORE THAN (2) TWO YEARS IN PRISON, A VIOLENT CRIME CONVICTION PUNISHABLE BY MORE THAN 1 YEAR IN JAIL OR A WEAPONS OR DRUG OFFENSE CONVICTION DISQUALIFIES YOU FOR LIFE FROM OBTAINING ONE OF THESE LICENSES.

 2. ARE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE, YOU MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO APPLY.

 "VIOLENT CRIME" - SHALL MEAN ANY CRIME PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM EXCEEDING ONE YEAR, OR ANY ACT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY INVOLVING THE USE OR POSSESSION OF ANY DEADLY WEAPON THAT WOULD BE PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT FOR SUCH TERM IS COMMITTED BY AN ADULT, THAT HAS AS AN ELEMENT THE USE, ATTEMPTED USE OR THREATENED USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE OR A DEADLY WEAPON AGAINST THE PERSON OF ANOTHER IN BURGLARY, EXTORTION, ARSON OR KIDNAPPING, INVOLVES THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES, OR OTHERWISE INVOLVES CONDUCT THAT PRESENTS A SERIOUS RISK OF PHYSICAL INJURY TO ANOTHER. A SIMPLE ASSAULT AND BATTERY IS CONSIDERED A VIOLENT

MASSACHUSETTS 1998 GUN CONTROL ACT

Misdemeanor Conviction Disqualifier for FID cards and LTC's

Under Massachusetts law, misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment for more than two years1

include the following offenses:

Crimes Against the Person:

Assault (c. 265, § 13A)

Assault & Battery (c. 265, § 13A)

A&B on Public Employee (c. 265, § 13D)

A&B on Ambulance Personnel (c. 265, § 13I)

Permitting Injury to a Child (c. 265, § 13J)

Gross Negligence by Common Carrier (c. 265, § 30)

A&B/Property Damage to Intimidate (c. 265, § 39)

Causing Injury in a Physical Exercise Program (c. 265, § 40)

Resisting Arrest (c. 268, § 32B)

Crimes Against Property

False Statement to Insurer (c. 266, § 11B)

Failure to Report Hotel Fire (c. 266, 13A)

Larceny from Common Carrier/Business (c. 266, § 30(1))

Larceny Under $250 from Elder/Disabled Person (c. 266, § 30(5))

Shoplifting Over $100 (c. 266, § 30A)

Falsely Obtaining Commercial Computer Service(c. 266, § 33A)

Receipt of Deposit by Insolvent Bank (c. 266, § 54)

Receiving Stolen Property Under $250 (c. 266, § 60)

Obstruction of Medical Facility - Subseq. Offense (c. 266, § 120E)

Wanton Destruction Property Over $250 (c. 266, § 127)

Destruction Church/School Property (c. 266, § 127A)

Destruction Jail Property (c. 266, § 130)

Motor Vehicle Offenses:

Operating after Suspension for OUI/MVH, etc. (c. 90, § 23)

Operating Under the Influence (c. 90, § 24(1)) - AFTER MAY 1994

Motor Vehicle Homicide While OUI and OTE (c. 90, § 24G(b))

OUI with Serious Bodily Injury (c. 90, § 24L(2))

OUI on a Vessel (c. 90B, § 8(a))

OUI on a Vessel With Serious Bodily Injury (c. 90B, § 8A(1))

Homicide by Vessel While OUI and OTE (c. 90B, § 8B(2))

1 Excluding weapons related and controlled substance offenses, which are disqualifiers on a separate basis.

2 Please note that this list may not be exhaustive. When in doubt, reference should be made to the current version of the relevant statute.

• Effective June 1 1998, all new firearm license applicants must complete a certified firearms safety or hunter education course.
• Effective October 21, 1998, all firearms must be stored in a locked container or be equipped with an approved locking device.
• Effective October 21, 1998, the law imposes a ban on covert guns, unreliable guns (junk guns), and certain assault weapons.
• Effective October 21, 1998, the law establishes a new category of large capacity weapons and feeding devices. A weapon is large capacity if it is: a semiautomatic handgun or rifle that is capable of accepting a feeding device that hold more than 10 rounds, or more than 5 shotgun shells (in case of a shotgun)

Download Complete Procedures form Here
Download FID/LTC Application