MGL Chapter 140, Section 129B:
Firearm Identification Card

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 129B^[1] establishes the Firearm Identification Card (FID) system. The FID is the lower-tier license, sitting beneath the License to Carry (LTC) governed by Section 131.

What the FID Covers

Section 129B permits an FID holder to purchase, transfer, possess, and carry:

• Rifles that are neither large capacity nor semiautomatic
• Shotguns that are neither large capacity nor semiautomatic
• Ammunition for those firearms

An FID does not otherwise authorize semiautomatic or large-capacity firearms. It does permit an FID holder to possess a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun under the direct supervision of an LTC holder at an incorporated shooting club or licensed shooting range.

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant for an FID must:

• A person age 14 may apply but cannot be issued a card until age 15. Applicants ages 15 through 17 must submit the required parent or guardian certificate
• Submit a Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Certificate or another certificate meeting Section 131P requirements unless a statutory exemption applies
• Not be a prohibited person under state or federal law
• Not be subject to an active restraining order, harassment prevention order, or ERPO
• Not be disqualified by a covered conviction. For an FID applicant, the controlled-substance and other offenses identified in Section 121F(j)(i)(B), (D), and (E) disqualify for five years after conviction or adjudication or release from confinement, probation, or parole, whichever is later

Application Process

FID applications are submitted to the licensing authority for the applicant's jurisdiction. The licensing authority must act on a completed application within 40 days, except that an unsuitability petition to the District Court stays the application. The ordinary state application fee is $100 under Section 121F, with statutory exceptions. An FID expires on the holder's birthday occurring not less than 5 years and not more than 6 years after issue. A card issued on February 29 expires on March 1.

Suitability Standard

For an FID application, Section 121F does not authorize the licensing authority to deny on suitability grounds itself. The authority may petition the District Court, which must hold a hearing within 90 days after receiving the petition and decide suitability by a preponderance of the evidence. If the court does not enter an unsuitability judgment within that period, a suitability judgment is entered automatically.

See also: MGL Chapter 140, Section 130B: Firearms Licensing Review Board

See also: MGL Chapter 140, Section 131P: Basic Firearms Safety Certificate