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Firearms Licensing

APPLICATION FOR NEW/RENEWAL OF A FIREARMS IDENTIFCIATION CARD (FID) OR LICENSE TO CARRY FIREARMS (LTC)

Please complete the application form found on left side of webpage and schedule an appointment with Dawn Metcalf at the Sterling Police Department (978) 422-7331. You should apply 30 days before expiration of your license.  It takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the time your application is submitted until your license is returned. Along with the completed application please include copies of the following documents:

  • Approved Basic Firearms Safety Course Certification (LTC)
  • Naturalization papers or permanent resident card (if applicable)
  • If issued for employment purposes, a letter from your employer must accompany application
  • Check or money order only made payable to the Town of Sterling
  • FEES:
  1. FID-      $100.00           (No fee for renewal applicants age 70 or older)
  2. FID-      $ 25.00            (Under age 18. Ages 15-18 must have written Parental Consent)
  3. LTC-    $100.00           (No fee for renewal applicants age 70 or older)
  4. TASER- $100.00          (Must be 18 yrs. or older)

FIREARMS LICENSE APPLICANTS IMPORTANT INFORMATION PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

There were significant changes to the firearms laws since 1998. Here is some basic information to help you be in compliance with the firearms laws, and to help you fill out the attached application forms.

  • License to carry firearms Class A (LTC): is a handgun license, renewable every 6 years.  It allows one to possess, purchase and transport firearms, rifles, shotguns, feeding devices, ammunition, chemical sprays within the limits as set by MA statute.
  • Firearms Identification Card, Class C (FID): is a long gun license renewable every 6 years.  It allows one to own, possess, purchase and transport non-large capacity only rifles, shotguns, feeding devices, ammunition and chemical sprays within the limits as set by MA statute.  
  • Additional Notes:
  1. Before any first-time applicant is issued a class A License to carry firearms by this agency, they are required to satisfactorily complete a Basic Firearms Safety Course, instructed by a MA State certified instructor.  Before a first-time issuance of a class C FID card, applicants must complete either a Basic Firearms Safety Course instructed by a MA State certified instructor or a MA Hunter Safety Course.
  2. Before submitting your application, read and fully understand all the questions.  Be sure in your mind that there is nothing in your past that would disqualify you.  Remember, if your application is denied the fee is non-refundable.  Nationwide record checks are done for every applicant.  If it is determined that you withheld any required information, your application will be denied.
  3. In order to apply for an FID card, you must be at least 15 years of age.  If you are under age 18, in addition to the age requirement you must have a parent or legal guardian’s consent on a form provided by this department.  The parent or legal guardian must be present when your application is processed and they must have proper identification.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal: Massachusetts law now requires all firearms license holders and gun owners to report all personal sales, transfers and surrenders of firearms through the Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal.  Paper FA-10 forms will no longer be accepted for the above purposes.  Questions about the Portal should be directed to the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services at 617-660-4782.       https://mircs.chs.state.ma.us/fa10

Gun Owner’s Action League is also a helpful website to refer to.   https://goal.org/  .

Change of Address Notification and requirements for a License to carry firearms and firearms identification card:  A cardholder shall notify, in writing, the licensing authority that issued such card, The Chief of Police into whose jurisdiction such cardholder moves, and the Executive Director of the Criminal History Systems Board of any Change of Address.  Such notification shall be made by certifiedmail within thirty (30) days of its occurrence.  Failure to notify shall be cause for revocation or suspension of such card. (please go to forms on police webpage).