This is a move that GOAL does not take lightly, as we are supportive of our brothers and sisters in blue. For decades, citizens have faced unconstitutional license delays, discretionary denials, and illegal local mandates. We are convinced that things will only change if civil rights violations are brought against local licensing authorities.

To file a complaint with the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, go to to their online form: https://policecomplaints.mass.gov/complaint

Step by step instructions:

• The form will explain how the Commission works and walks you through the process.
• It will also ask you to describe the when, where and how. Under this, there will be a box to describe what happened. We are recommending something similar to:

I am attempting to exercise my constitutional right under the Second Amendment, as confirmed by several Supreme Court rulings. The laws of the Commonwealth require a license to do so. The laws require me to work through a “local licensing authority” (Police Chief) to accomplish this task. My local licensing authority is either by design, or simple failure to comply with the laws, and Supreme Court rulings depriving me of my civil rights. I consider this to be an official deprivation of rights under federal law 42 U.S. Code § 1983 and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 12, Section 11I. I hereby request the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission investigate this intentional violation of my civil rights. 

(Include whatever is appropriate.)

Requiring conditions not required by state law.

Making it nearly impossible to get an appointment to file an application.

Significantly delaying the approval process.

Ignoring my attempts to contact them.

Or other.

• There will be a spot where you can check boxes on the type of complaint. We are recommending checking the Discrimination and Unprofessionalism boxes.
• It will then give you the ability to upload any files you wish the Commission to review. You don't have to upload anything, but if you wish to, these could be any communications with the licensing authorities, dated applications, local rules and restrictions on applications, etc.
• It will ask if this complaint is in relation to a current criminal/civil case. We recommend checking Prefer Not to Answer.
• The next questions will be regarding information on the officer involved with licensing issues.
• There will be a spot to check whether you are filing for yourself or on someone else's behalf.
• You can supply witnesses.
• Your personal information.
• Any other legal actions you have taken.

A citizen can also check if there are any disciplinary actions on a particular officer: https://399759da.delivery.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/POSTC_ComplaintsByOfficer_20260413.pdf

State Law:

Chapter 12, Section 11I: Violations of constitutional rights; civil actions by aggrieved persons; costs and fees

Duca v. Martins, 941 F. Supp. 1281 (D. Mass. 1996): https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/941/1281/2353798/

Section 11I. Any person whose exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by the constitution or laws of the United States, or of rights secured by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth, has been interfered with, or attempted to be interfered with, as described in section 11H, may institute and prosecute in his own name and on his own behalf a civil action for injunctive and other appropriate equitable relief as provided for in said section, including the award of compensatory money damages. Any aggrieved person or persons who prevail in an action authorized by this section shall be entitled to an award of the costs of the litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees in an amount to be fixed by the court.

Federal Law:

42 U.S. Code § 1983 - Civil action for deprivation of rights

Monell v. Department of Social Services: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/436/658/

City of Canton, Ohio v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378 (1989): https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/489/378/

Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167 (1961): https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/365/167/

Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. For the purposes of this section, any Act of  Congress applicable exclusively to the District of Columbia shall be considered to be a statute of the District of Columbia.

What Does “Acting Under Color of Law” Mean?

Acting under color of law means a person was using power or authority granted by a government entity. When they misuse it, they may expose themselves to civil action.

The person deprived of their rights may file a civil rights lawsuit against the person who denied them. Civil cases differ from criminal cases. A criminal case is a lawsuit filed by the federal or state government on behalf of the United States public. Government officials prosecute the defendant in a criminal case in either state courts or federal district courts. A victim in a criminal case does not have a responsibility to press charges against the offender.