One recurring question is: “Do I have to take the new firearms safety course to renew my license?”

According to the new requirements under Chapter 140, Section 131P and “Guidance Letter #4” question #3:

• “Persons lawfully possessing a firearm identification card or license to carry firearms on August 1, 2024, shall be exempt from this section upon expiration of such card or license and when applying for renewal…”

• If you applied for the permit or license after August 1, 2024 you will have to complete the new requirements under Section 131P.

• For those who had taken an earlier course and have acquired a license/card, they will have to complete the additional requirements other than live fire.  See: (https://www.goal.org/live-fire-delayed-again)
• The State Police has set up an online system to enable post August 1, 2024 applicants to complete the required training for: disengagement training, suicide prevention, and use of force.

 

 

https://www.goal.org/live-fire-delayed-again

https://www.goal.org/approved-courses

 

Chapter 140, Section 131P. (a) Any person applying for the issuance of a license or card under sections 129B, 131 or 131F shall, in addition to the requirements set forth in this chapter, submit to the licensing authority a basic firearms safety certificate; provided, however, that a certificate issued under section 14 of chapter 131 evidencing satisfactory completion of a hunter education course shall serve as a valid substitute for a basic firearms safety certificate required under this section for the issuance of a firearm identification card pursuant to section 129B. Persons lawfully possessing a firearm identification card or license to carry firearms on August 1, 2024, shall be exempt from this section upon expiration of such card or license and when applying for renewal of such licensure as required under this chapter; provided, however, that persons possessing a firearms identification card or license to carry firearms prior to the implementation of live firearms trainings as required in this section shall also be exempt from such requirement. No application for the issuance of a firearm identification card or license to carry shall be accepted or processed by the licensing authority without such certificate attached thereto; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to: (i) any officer, agent or employee of the commonwealth or any state of the United States; (ii) any member of the military or other service of any state or of the United States; or (iii) any duly authorized law enforcement officer, agent or employee of any municipality of the commonwealth; provided, however, that any such person described in clauses (i) to (iii), inclusive, shall be authorized by a competent authority to carry or possess the firearm so carried or possessed and shall be acting within the scope of their duties.