Applying for or Renewing a Gun License
In order to apply for or renew a gun license, submit the following to the front desk of the Fairhaven Police Department either by mail or in person:
- Completed Application
- Check or Money Order in the amount of $100 made payable to: Town of Fairhaven
- Copy of the safety course certificate for new applicants. Renewals do not need to submit a copy of the certificate.
- You will be contacted by the department to schedule an appointment.
Due to the ever-changing status of the Federal and Massachusetts Gun Laws by either legislative action or court rulings, the list below is a partial one, and you should inquire further at the time of application. In these times of apparently increasing violence, the process for obtaining one of the above licenses is time consuming and very thorough with many requirements to meet. These requirements include the following:
- You must be a citizen of the United States.
- You must be 21 years of age or older.
- You must submit proof of attendance and completion of a State of Massachusetts approved firearms safety course.
- You must complete an application in full.
- You must clear all background checks satisfactorily.
- You must show proof of residency in Fairhaven.
- You must complete and update an application form.
- You must clear all background checks satisfactorily.
- You must be 18 years old or older.
- You must show proof of residency.
- Meet the same requirements as indicated above for LTC.
- If under 18 years old and over 15, you must have written permission from parent or legal guardian and have them present at all appointments.
- All FID cards are renewed every 6 years and expire on cardholder’s birthday.
LTC’s and FID’s will be entered into the state system when they are turned in. Applicants will be given a receipt when they deliver the app to the station. All pictures and fingerprints will be done at the police station.
When all the above requirements are met, the application and all documentation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police or his designee and the request will be either approved or denied. The application will be sent electronically to the Firearms Record Bureau in Chelsea, where it will be processed, approved or denied, printed and mailed to the police department. The license will be activated, and the applicant will be called to sign for, and pick up the license.
- The circumstances under which a person is statutorily disqualified from obtaining the above licenses have been expanded. A person is now disqualified if he/she:
- Has been convicted (or adjudicated delinquent or as a youthful offender) of a felony, a misdemeanor punishable by more than 2 years imprisonment, a violent crime, or a weapons or drug offense.
- Has been confined to a hospital or institution for mental illness, unless he/she has an affidavit from a physician stating he/she is not disabled by such illness in a manner that prevents him/her from possessing a firearm.
- Is or has been under treatment for or confinement for drug addiction of habitual drunkenness, unless deemed cured by a physician.
- Is subject to a suspension or surrender order or a protection order issued pursuant to M.G.L. c. 209A.
- Upon the occurrence of a disqualifying event, the LTC or FID that had been issued must be revoked or suspended.
- A person must have a Class A/LTC in order to carry or possess a loaded firearm in a concealed manner in a public place or way.
- It is unlawful for a licensed person to carry a loaded rifle or shotgun on a public way unless engaged in hunting and in possession of a hunting license.
- It is unlawful for a licensed person to carry an unloaded rifle or shotgun on a public way unless engaged in hunting and in possession of a hunting license, or unless the rifle or shotgun is enclosed in a case.
- It is unlawful to carry a loaded weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- It is unlawful to carry a loaded firearm under a Class A/LTC in a vehicle unless the firearm is under the licensee’s direct control.
- It is unlawful to carry a firearm under a Class B/LTC in a vehicle unless it is unloaded and contained in the locked trunk or locked in a secure container.
- It is unlawful to possess a large capacity rifle or shotgun under a Class A or Class B/LTC in a vehicle unless it is unloaded and contained in the locked trunk or locked in a secure container