Massachusetts issues two firearms licenses. The LTC covers everything; the FID covers rifles and shotguns only. Almost everyone who walks into our class wants the LTC — here is why, and when the FID is the right call.
Most people want this one
LTC — License to Carry
21 and older
- Handguns, rifles and shotguns
- Large-capacity firearms and feeding devices where the law allows
- Concealed carry, subject to any restrictions on the license
- Buy from dealers and private sellers
- Valid six years
The other one
FID — Firearms Identification Card
15 and older (parental consent under 18)
- Rifles and shotguns only — non-large-capacity
- No handguns
- No concealed carry
- Needed for pepper spray under 18
- Valid six years
Same class, either license
Both licenses require the same state-approved basic firearms safety course before you apply. Our four to five hour class qualifies you for either; you tell the department which license you are applying for. If you are under 21, the FID is the only option until you reach 21 — and the class you take now still counts.
Which one should you get?
| FID | LTC |
|---|
| Minimum age | 15 (consent under 18) | 21 |
|---|
| Handguns | No | Yes |
|---|
| Rifles & shotguns | Yes, non-large-capacity | Yes |
|---|
| Carry concealed | No | Yes (with restrictions if any) |
|---|
| Class required | Yes — the same one | Yes — the same one |
|---|
| State fee | $100 ($25 under 18) | $100 |
|---|
| Best for | Hunters, target shooters under 21, long guns only | Anyone who wants a handgun or to carry |
|---|
Can I hold both?
You don't need to. An LTC covers everything an FID does. People who got an FID at 18 apply for the LTC at 21.
Does the FID let me carry a handgun for self-defence?
No. Handguns require an LTC, full stop.
Is the FID easier to get?
The FID is "shall issue" for qualified applicants, whereas the LTC involves a suitability judgment by the licensing authority. The class, the form and the fingerprints are the same.
I'm 19. Should I wait?
Take the class now and apply for the FID if you want to shoot long guns before 21. The same state-approved course satisfies the training requirement for both, so you take it once. How long your department will accept a certificate from is their call — ask them before you plan around it.
What we do and don't do. We teach the state-approved class and the law Massachusetts requires you to complete before you apply. Applying is your own step with your own police department; we are not part of it. This guide is general information, not legal advice — the licensing authority and the statute are the final word.