Firearms Licensing Reform Bills: Carry Permits, Fairness, and Handgun Sales in the 2026 Session

What the Bills Would Do

Three House bills target different aspects of the Massachusetts firearms licensing system governed by Chapter 140:

• H2675 — "Promoting fairness in licensing." Would address inconsistencies in how different municipalities process License to Carry (LTC) applications, targeting the well-documented problem of varying approval rates and processing times across jurisdictions^[1].
• H2699 — "Relative to the lawful sale of handguns." Would amend restrictions on which handguns can be lawfully sold in Massachusetts, potentially addressing the state's approved firearms roster and handgun safety testing requirements under Chapter 140, Section 123^[3].
• H2611 — "Relative to firearm licensing renewals during a state of emergency." Would establish procedures for processing license renewals when normal government operations are disrupted by a declared state of emergency — a lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic when many licensing offices closed^[5].

Current Status

All three bills had hearings rescheduled to October 31, 2025, before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security^[2][4][6]. None have received further committee action.

What to Watch

H2611 (emergency licensing renewals) has the best chance of advancing because it addresses a practical administrative problem rather than a politically charged policy question. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of a licensing system that depends on in-person visits to local police departments, and the bill could attract bipartisan support. H2675 (licensing fairness) touches on the long-standing complaint that LTC approval rates vary wildly between municipalities — some towns approve nearly all applications while others deny a high percentage. H2699 (handgun sales) is the most contentious, as it would likely affect the state's approved firearms roster, which gun rights advocates consider overly restrictive.