Firearms Licensing

Important Information for Renewal Applicants

Recent statutory changes have extended the 90-day grace period indefinitely so long as you begin the renewal process prior to the expiration of your current license.

New Applicants Only: Applying for License to Carry (Class A), FID (Class C) Restricted, or License to Possess a Machine Gun (Class E)

New applicants need to complete the basic firearms safety course before applying
Options to complete the application

Fill out all fields on the MIRCS Firearms Licensing Portal Application honestly and accurately, including any fields marked as optional.
- Print and sign application
- Prepare the Required Documents:
  Check or money order for $100.00 made payable to the Town of Stoneham.
  Copy of your Firearms Safety Course Certificate.
  Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease, or valid MA ID with your current Stoneham address).
- Drop off the completed application packet in person to the attention of: Firearms Licensing Department, Stoneham Police Department, 47 Central Street, Stoneham, MA.

Or, fill out all fields on the Application (PDF) honestly and accurately

Print and sign application
Prepare the Required Documents:
Check or money order for $100.00 made payable to the Town of Stoneham.
Copy of your Firearms Safety Course Certificate.
Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease, or valid MA ID with your current Stoneham address).
Drop off the completed application packet in person to the attention of: Firearms Licensing Department, Stoneham Police Department, 47 Central Street, Stoneham, MA

Your application will not be processed until all the above steps are completed. You will be contacted to schedule an appointment to come in. Please ensure that your phone number and email address are current and accurate, as delays often occur when applicants cannot be reached promptly. During your appointment, your current Massachusetts driver license photograph will be used, and your fingerprints will be taken and uploaded into the state’s MIRCS licensing system. The State Police and FBI will conduct a background and fingerprint record check; the DMH will conduct a mental health check; and the Stoneham Police Department will conduct a suitability and criminal records check. Based on the findings, applicants are either denied or approved and are formally notified of the outcome by mail.

Renewal Applicants Only: Applying for License to Carry (Class A), FID (Class C) Restricted, or License to Possess a Machine Gun (Class E)

Options to complete the application

Fill out all fields on the MIRCS Firearms Licensing Portal Application honestly and accurately, including any fields marked as optional.
- Print and sign application
- Prepare the Required Documents:
  Check or money order for $100.00 made payable to the Town of Stoneham.
  Copy of your Firearms Safety Course Certificate.
  Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease, or valid MA ID with your current Stoneham address).
- Drop off the completed application packet in person to the attention of: Firearms Licensing Department, Stoneham Police Department, 47 Central Street, Stoneham, MA.

Or, fill out all fields on the Application (PDF) honestly and accurately

Print and sign application
Prepare the Required Documents:
Check or money order for $100.00 made payable to the Town of Stoneham.
Copy of your Firearms Safety Course Certificate.
Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease, or valid MA ID with your current Stoneham address).
Drop off the completed application packet in person to the attention of: Firearms Licensing Department, Stoneham Police Department, 47 Central Street, Stoneham, MA

No appointment is required. Your application will not be processed until all the above steps are completed. Please ensure that your phone number and email address are current and accurate, as delays often occur when applicants cannot be reached promptly. Your current Massachusetts driver license photograph will be used, and your fingerprints on file will be uploaded into the state’s MIRCS licensing system. The State Police and FBI will conduct a background and fingerprint record check; the DMH will conduct a mental health check; and the Stoneham Police Department will conduct a suitability and criminal records check. Based on the findings, applicants are either denied or approved and are formally notified of the outcome by mail.

Please note, at present, processing time from the date of your appointment to receipt of your license or denial letter is no less than 3 months.

When New Applicant Appointments Conducted?

Appointments are generally conducted twice a month on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. We are currently booking at least 3 months out.

Open Office Hours

For general inquiries regarding the LTC process, you are welcome to come in and speak with Detective Copan or his assistant every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. During the summer months please call first to make sure licensing is scheduled.

Change of Address Notification

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, sections 129B and 131 states "a cardholder shall notify the licensing authority that issued such firearms license, the chief of police into whose jurisdiction such cardholder moves, and the commissioner of the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services of any change of address within 30 days of its occurrence. Failure to notify any of these entities shall be cause for revocation or suspension of the license." Download official change of address notification form (PDF) or visit MIRCS Firearms Licensing Portal.

Hunting & Fishing Information

The agency that regulates hunting in Massachusetts is the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The Division headquarters is located at 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400 in Boston and may be reached by telephone at 617-626-1590. General questions regarding hunting license, technical hunting information, wildlife management areas, etc. should be directed at the Division. Be advised, the state has now implemented an online system for hunting and fishing licenses, which can be accessed at MassFishHunt.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police is the lead law enforcement agency relative to hunting and wild game and may be reached at 800-632-8075. Emergencies or calls requiring immediate resolution should still be processed through the 911 system and a Stoneham police officer will respond.

Resources for Applicants & Licensees

To complete private transfers and gun registration online, visit Firearms Portal.
To retrieve your license PIN number, visit Firearms Portal.
View a listing of Basic Safety Course Instructors.
To petition the Firearms Licensing Review Board to review misdemeanor charges affecting your suitability for an LTC, download and submit the required paperwork (PDF) (read carefully).