Massachusetts License to Carry Denials and Appeals
Massachusetts has some of the most demanding firearms licensing laws in the country, and a major overhaul enacted in 2024 changed many of the rules. Licensing decisions by local police chiefs can be challenged, but the deadlines are short and the record you build matters. Muggeo & Associates helps applicants and license holders across Massachusetts with denials, suspensions, revocations, and related firearms matters.
Why Licenses Are Denied, Suspended, or Revoked
- A disqualifying criminal record or pending charge
- A finding that the applicant is not “suitable” based on information suggesting a risk to public safety
- Restraining or harassment prevention orders
- Certain mental health or substance use history
- Incomplete applications or missing training requirements
- Arrests or incidents after the license was issued
The 2024 Firearms Law
Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 is the most significant rewrite of Massachusetts firearms law in decades. It was enacted with an emergency preamble and took effect on October 2, 2024. A referendum on repealing the law appeared on the November 3, 2026 state ballot as Question 9, and unofficial results show that voters kept the law in place.
Changes That Affect Licensing
- Training and testing: New license applicants must complete a firearms safety course approved by the State Police that includes a test.
- Age 21 for semiautomatic long guns: A person generally must be 21 or older to possess a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun. Firearm Identification Card holders who own these firearms should confirm what the law requires of them before their card expires.
- Serial numbers and registration: Firearms, including unfinished frames and receivers, generally must carry a serial number, and untraceable “ghost guns” carry criminal penalties. Guidance from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security set October 28, 2026 as the compliance deadline for serialization and registration.
- Extreme risk protection orders: More people can now petition for an extreme risk protection order, including school administrators and licensed health care providers. Courts issuing harassment prevention orders can also order a person to surrender firearms.
- New residents: People who move to Massachusetts generally have 60 days to obtain a Massachusetts license.
If you missed the serialization or registration deadline, received a suspension tied to a protective order, or are unsure whether a firearm you own is now restricted, get advice before taking further steps. Guidance on the new law continues to develop. Last reviewed November 2026.
How to Appeal
A person whose license application is denied, or whose license is suspended or revoked, can generally seek judicial review by filing a petition in the District Court with jurisdiction over the licensing authority within 90 days of receiving notice of the decision. At the hearing, the applicant can present testimony, witnesses, and documents, and the court reviews whether the licensing authority’s decision had a reasonable basis. Further appeals may be available.
Building a Strong Appeal
- Get a copy of the written denial or revocation notice and the reasons given.
- Request the police reports and records relied on.
- Gather character references, employment records, and proof of training.
- Document any changes in circumstances since the incident in question.
- Do not miss the 90-day filing window.
Other Firearms Matters
We also advise dealers, collectors, and individual gun owners on licensing compliance, the surrender and return of firearms after a suspension, nonresident licensing, and NFA trusts.
Learn more about our firearms law practice.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
Call Muggeo & Associates at (978) 741-1177, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or send us a message. Our office is at 133 Washington Street in downtown Salem.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines change and depend on the facts of each case. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.