EOPSS Guidance Letters on Chapter 135 Implementation

Following the enactment of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) issued a series of guidance letters to assist licensing authorities, dealers, and the public with implementation.

Guidance Letter #1 (September 30, 2024)

Issued two days before the law's effective date, this letter provided initial implementation guidance for licensing authorities and dealers^[1].

Guidance Letter #2 (October 2, 2024)

Released on the effective date, this letter addressed handgun roster compliance. Dealers may continue selling firearms on the approved roster and non-prohibited long guns pending further guidance^[2].

Guidance Letter #3 (November 14, 2024)

Presented in FAQ format, this letter consolidated prior guidance and addressed Basic Firearms Safety (BFS) course requirements. Training curriculum is being developed under EOPSS, Massachusetts State Police, and MPTC oversight^[3].

Guidance Letter #4 (November 13, 2025)

Updated FAQ with continued implementation details and clarifications on outstanding questions^[4].

Training Timeline

New training requirements, including the live-fire component, have a statutory effective date of April 2, 2026. EOPSS held public hearings on May 29 and June 4, 2025. Approximately 170 people participated and 42 written comments were received. EOPSS also submitted a legislative report on the live-fire training component. As of March 2026, final regulations have not been formally adopted. Persons who held an FID or LTC on or before August 1, 2024 are exempt, including for renewals. The expanded curriculum — including live-fire training, disengagement tactics, suicide prevention, and safe storage — took effect as the statutory requirement on April 2, 2026. EOPSS published an approved instructor list on April 1, 2026. Persons who held an FID or LTC on or before August 1, 2024 remain exempt. The live-fire component is required under the statute; enforcement of the live-fire qualification standard is ongoing while EOPSS publishes final statewide standards for instructors.