The easiest solution to all the firearm license problems in the Commonwealth would be for the state to actually recognized our civil rights and become a Constitutional carry state. Since that is not likely to happen any time soon, especially in the current political climate, we believe that we have offered a solution that would be a vast improvement.

With the help of our good friend, State Representative Don Berthiaume, Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL) has filed a bill to end the renewal requirement for Firearms Identification Cards (FID) and License to Carry (LTC) in Massachusetts: HD.3605 – An Act Relative to Firearms Licensing. (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/HD3605)

Prior to the 1998 Gun Control Act, an FID Card was issued for life unless the person possessing the license became a prohibited person through the commission of a crime or another disqualifying action. The LTC at that time on the other hand, was renewable every four years and the application fee for either permit was $25. Under the 1998 Gun Control Act, both licenses became renewable every four years. With this new process came a vast number of permits which caused the state to pass emergency regulations to stagger the renewals.

Then, during the Romney administration, the legislature increased both permit costs to $100. Additionally during this period, the application process became so backlogged that it was not unusual to have to wait over a year to process and application. In 2004, seemingly in response to this backlog, the legislature passed a bill that, among other things, extended the license period to six years.

Fast forward to 2020 and beyond, we are witnessing what amounts to a collapse of the firearm licensing system the likes of which we have not seen before. It is bad enough that citizens have to pay to exercise a civil right, but during the COVID crisis, the system simply did not and could not properly function. COVID and the state’s response has also shown a light on some other inequities in the system where some lower income families have to choose between exercising their civil rights or buying groceries...