A License to carry Firearms (LTC) or Firearm identification (FID) Card shall be valid, unless revoked or suspended, for a period of not more than six (6) years from the date of issue. LTCs shall expire on the cardholder’s birth date occurring not less than five (5) years but not more than six (6) years from the date of issue. License holders should receive notice and a renewal from the Massachusetts Firearms Record Bureau not les than ninety (90) days prior to expiration.
Grace Periods
License to Carry (LTC) Firearms & Firearm Identification (FID) Cards
Licenses to Carry and Firearm Identification Cards remain valid indefinitely if you apply for renewal before the expiration date on your license or card (unless the application for renewal is denied).
If the licensee is on active duty with the armed forces of the United States on the expiration date of his license, the license shall remain valid until the licensee is released from active duty and for a period of not less than 90 days following such release.
Expired LTC – Civil Violation
Any person in possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun whose license issued under this section is invalid for the sole reason that it has expired, meaning after 90 days beyond the stated expiration date on the license but who shall not be disqualified from renewal upon application…, shall be subject to a civil fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 and the provisions of section 10 of chapter 269 shall not apply; provided, however, that the exemption from the provisions of said section 10 of said chapter 269 provided herein shall not apply if:
(i) such license has been revoked or suspended, unless such revocation or suspension was caused by failure to give notice of a change of address as required under this section;
(ii) revocation or suspension of such license is pending, unless such revocation or suspension was caused by failure to give notice of a change of address as required under this section; or
(iii) an application for renewal of such license has been denied.
Classification: Civil (providing expired LTC not also revoked or suspended)
Penalty: $500 – $5000
Right of Arrest: No (unless card is suspended, revoked or denied. If so, c.269 §10 applies).
Additional Action by Officer: Confiscation of weapons and expired LTC Card. Card to be forwarded to original issuing authority.
Expired FID Card is CIVIL offense
Any person in possession of a non-large capacity rifle or shotgun whose FID is invalid for the sole reason that it has expired, meaning after 90 days beyond the stated expiration date on the card, but who shall not be disqualified from renewal upon application …, shall be subject to a civil fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 and the provisions of said section 10 of said chapter 269 shall not apply; provided, however, that the exemption from the provisions of said section 10 of said chapter 269 provided herein shall not apply if:
(i) such firearm identification card has been revoked or suspended, unless such revocation or suspension was caused by failure to give notice of a change of address as required under this section;
(ii) revocation or suspension of such firearm identification card is pending, unless such revocation or suspension was caused by failure to give notice of a change of address as required under this section; or
(iii) an application for renewal of such firearm identification card has been denied
Classification: Civil (providing expired FID not also revoked or suspended)
Penalty: $500 – $5000
Right of Arrest: No (unless card is suspended, revoked or denied. If so, c.269 §10 applies).
Additional Action by Officer: Confiscation of weapons and expired FID Card. Card to be forwarded to original issuing authority.