How to get FFL License in Massachusetts (MS)?

Step 1. Federal Requirements

Before you can get a Massachusetts FFL, you have to meet some pretty simple Federal requirements. You absolutely must make sure all the following apply to you and any business partners before applying for an FFL in any state.

The ATF has pretty basic requirements to get an FFL. So basic, in fact, we’ll only glance at them.

To get an FFL, the ATF requires that you be a law-abiding US citizen or a permanent resident over 21 years of age who can legally own a firearm. Pretty simple stuff, really. The paperwork is annoying, and you have to demonstrate you are planning to operate a business, but that’s not too hard.

In a nutshell, to get a Massachusetts FFL you have to be:

• US citizen or legal permanent resident 21 years old or older.
• No felony convictions, domestic violence convictions or dishonorable discharge from the military.
• No pending criminal charges or active arrest warrants.
• Able to legally own a gun.
• Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent.
• Not be a user of any illegal drugs.

Basically, you have to show the ATF that you are legally able to own a gun. As long as you can own a gun, you meet the minimal legal requirements to get an FFL. Of course, you also have to show that you can do business at your chosen location, but we’ll get to that.

You also have to submit fingerprint cards and other identifying information to your application. FFL123 customers get step-by-step guided assistance through this entire process.

Step 2. State Requirements

In addition to your FFL, which will be issued by the Federal government, Massachusetts also requires you to obtain a state Firearms Dealers License. The completed application must be submitted to your local law enforcement agency or police department.

Massachusetts also requires that all transactions be recorded through the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS), which is their version of the NICS system.

Like many states, Massachusetts requires FFL holders to get a state license to sell guns as well. This license is required to sell guns, ammo or to perform gunsmithing services. It is largely redundant to an ATF-issued FFL, but there is a unique twist.

Massachusetts requires that prospective gun dealers also submit two written references. This old-fashioned holdover from days before adequate background check systems is the oddest part of the state license.

There are also strict regulations for where you can conduct business. Massachusetts requires all licensed activities to take place in a commercially zoned location that is not attached to the residence of the license holder. This effectively shuts down small home-based FFL’s but we’ll talk more about that in a minute.

Step 3. Local Requirements

Local zoning requirements are usually one of the biggest problems when applying for an FFL. Most importantly, you’ve got to be absolutely sure that the location you use as a base of operations allows for a firearms business.

In Massachusetts, this strictly excludes home operations. It is required by state law that all firearms businesses operate in a brick-and-mortar location of some kind, not in a residential area. This means that the common “kitchen table FFL” or “tabletop FFL” just isn’t possible in Massachusetts. Sorry. The only slight exception to this is a Type 03 FFL Curios and Relic License, but that’s specifically for collectors and not dealers.

All FFL holders have to be properly licensed where they are doing business. That means local zoning regulations have to be followed.

Massachusetts absolutely without exception prohibits home-based FFL’s. They do not allow FFL’s to operate out of their homes or even out of their garage or other buildings on their residential property. For good measure, they flat out ban all FFL activities other than 03 Curio and Relics license holders in residential areas.

That means you have to have a dedicated storefront in a commercially zoned location. You may face hostile treatment from local business licensing authorities depending on where you are trying to setup shop. Let’s face it, Massachusetts makes it tough to do business as an FFL and you should expect every sort of roadblock possible in some of the larger jurisdictions like Boston.

Fortunately, the FFL123 team of industry insiders and legal experts are here to help our customers navigate even the murkiest of waters, and will be with you every step of the way to ensure you get your FFL and can open up shop.

Step 4. Business Requirements

By now you’ve gone through Federal, state, and local requirements. Massachusetts is a tough nut to crack when it comes to getting an FFL and setting up shop. Local and state regulations are designed to inhibit the ability of FFL’s to do business, not encourage it.

In this sort of anti-gun environment, you’ll want to go above and beyond the bare minimum to do business. Consider getting a good security system, and learn about the finer points of doing business in Massachusetts.

There are also basic things to consider. What kind of fixtures should you get, how much of the background check and record-keeping process should you digitize? These are all things that have to be examined for each FFL holder for their best interest.

If you have questions or need help at this stage, FFL123 is here for you yet again!

Step 5. Industry Connections

FFL123 customers enjoy a unique list of preferred vendors who have expressed a desire to do business with our customers. Many wholesalers require large accounts that some small FFL’s simply cannot manage. But we’ll show you where to get all the inventory you need, regardless of the size of your business.