State Issues Firearms Application Guidance Letter

Click Here to View the Guidance Letter

Recently the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) with the cooperation of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) issued a “COVID-19 Law Enforcement Guidance” for the processing of License to Carry and Firearm Identification Card applications.

While Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL) is pleased to see some proactive measures by the state and the chiefs, we need to inform our supporters that this is a “guidance” document only. The letter reminds the local authorities of their responsibilities and the best practices to carry them out, but it should not be considered an enforcement letter. For many decades the state has told us that they have no legal authority over their licensing agents. For this reason, GOAL will continue on with our federal court action against those municipalities that are depriving citizens of their civil rights.

However, we would recommend that people having problems with their applications being processed send a copy of the guidance letter to their licensing authority. In doing so ask them if they are going to follow to guidance set forth by DCJIS and MCPA.

GOAL would like to thank DCJIS for trying to address the civil rights crisis. The state agencies have been as helpful as they can since the problems with local licensing authorities began. GOAL would also like to thank Representative Joe McKenna who worked with us to file the bill that clearly brought even more attention to the problem.