As some of you may know, on September 16, 2024, the Governor signed, An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2024 to Provide for Supplementing Certain Existing Appropriations and for Certain other Activities and Projects, which amended the effective date of section 74 (BFS Course) of the firearms law.  This means that the new requirements for the BFS Course will not become effective until 18 months following the Act taking effect.  Until that time, local licensing authorities should continue to accept and process applications for FID cards and LTC’s in the ordinary course, consistent with current law.

 

Any person who has been issued a FID or LTC on or before August 1, 2024, will not be required to complete the new BFS requirements or the live fire requirement when the law takes effect, including when seeking to renew the card or license, pursuant to the registration Act.

 

However, individuals who apply for an FID or LTC after August 1, 2024, but before the Act becomes effective, may be issued an FID or LTC if the applicant is eligible under current law. Individuals issued an FID or LTC during this period (August 1, 2024 - effective date of the Act) will be subject to the new requirements when they seek to renew their FID or LTC.   Please note, there is no current approved course that fulfills the requirements of the new legislation at this time.

 

We are diligently working with EOPSS, MPTC, and CJIS on course requirements and will update you, as an instructor, as we move forward.

 

Thank you for your patience as we navigate this process together.

 

Sincerely,

Kristin M. Ryan

Firearms Licensing

Massachusetts State Police

470 Worcester Road

Framingham, MA 01702

508-820-2299

Firearms.licensing@pol.state.ma.us