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LTC-033  ·  MA STATE POLICE APPROVED  ·  WOBURN, MA

Massachusetts LTC Course

The MA State Police approved classroom course (LTC-033) required to apply for your License to Carry or FID Card. Classroom only — no live fire. Taught in Woburn by NRA- and MSP-certified instructors.

Book Your Seat → ~4 Hours · No Experience Needed
Course Code
LTC-033
Format
Classroom
Live Fire
Not Required
Qualifies For
LTC  ·  FID
Course Fee
$200
!
A note on the 2024 gun law and live fire. Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 added a live-fire component to the Basic Firearms Safety requirement, but that requirement is not currently being enforced while the state finalizes its standardized curriculum and qualification standard. As of today, the classroom-only LTC-033 is an approved path to your certificate. There is no live fire with this course.
01The Course

What Is The Basic Firearms Safety Course?

Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 140, § 131P) requires every first-time applicant to complete a state-approved Basic Firearms Safety course before applying to their local police department.

LTC-033 is the MSP code for the NRA Home Firearm Safety course delivered through Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL). It's on the official MSP-approved list and qualifies you for both the LTC and the FID.

It's a non-shooting, classroom course. You'll handle inert training firearms under instructor supervision, learn how they work, how the law treats them in Massachusetts, and what responsible ownership looks like. No experience needed.

Basic Firearms Safety classroom instruction at Vantage Defense
Classroom Instruction
02Schedule Your Seat

Book Your Course

Pick a date below to reserve your spot in the next Basic Firearms Safety Course at Vantage Defense. Class sizes are kept small to keep instruction personal. Everything you need to know about the curriculum, eligibility, and the licensing process is just below — but if you're ready, grab your seat now.

03Why You Need It

Required By Law. Non-Negotiable.

Without a completed Basic Firearms Safety Certificate on file, your local police department cannot legally process your LTC or FID application. Full stop.

Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 — the state's biggest firearms overhaul in a generation — expanded the training requirement to include de-escalation, suicide and injury prevention, and use-of-force law on top of the traditional safe-handling curriculum. LTC-033 covers all of it.

You need this course if you…

  • Are applying for your first MA LTC (License to Carry, ages 21+)
  • Are applying for your first MA FID card (ages 15+, or 14 with parental consent)
  • Got your license after Aug. 1, 2024 and are renewing under the new curriculum requirement
  • Let a previous MA license lapse and need to re-apply
  • Are moving to Massachusetts and need a resident license within 60 days
04Curriculum

What You'll Learn — The 7 Modules

Built around the NRA Home Firearm Safety core curriculum, reinforced with the GOAL Massachusetts Gun Law Reference and the expanded topics under Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. Roughly four hours, seven modules, in sequence.

MOD 01

Rules for Safe Gun Handling

The three rules. Every firearm, every time.

MOD 02

Identifying Different Firearms

Action types, categories, and safe unloading.

MOD 03

Exercises in Safe Gun Handling

Hands-on familiarization with common firearms.

MOD 04

Ammunition, Cleaning & Storage

Cartridge basics, caliber, cleaning, and storage.

MOD 05

Massachusetts Firearms Law

M.G.L. c. 140 — what you're allowed to do.

MOD 06

Self-Defense & De-Escalation

Self-defense law, Castle Doctrine, and de-escalation.

MOD 07

Firearms & Suicide Prevention

The data, the science, and what you can do.

05Before You Register

Are You Eligible For A MA License?

Completing the course is step one. Massachusetts also imposes statutory disqualifiers and a "suitability" review by your local licensing authority. You should be able to say yes to all of these:

  • 21+ for an LTC (15+ for FID)
  • U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  • No felony convictions
  • No active restraining or harassment orders against you
  • Never dishonorably discharged from the armed forces
  • Never adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court
  • No MA DUI convictions after 1994
  • No outstanding arrest warrants

Disclose everything.

Sealed records, juvenile appearances, dismissed charges, CWOFs, and out-of-state convictions are all visible to licensing authorities and must be disclosed. Applications are signed under penalty of perjury — "I forgot" and "it was a long time ago" are not defenses.

Not Sure If You Qualify? Come to class anyway. The suitability analysis is done by your local chief, not by us, and some prior history is workable. What you cannot do is lie on the application. If you have questions about a specific situation, reach out before you register and we'll help you think it through honestly.
06Class Logistics

What To Expect On The Day

Duration
~2-4 Hours
Single-session classroom format. 
Class Time
6:00 PM
Check the booking widget above for all upcoming times & dates.
Location
Vantage Defense
10 Walnut Hill Park, Suite 1, Woburn, MA 01801
What To Bring
Photo ID
A valid government-issued photo ID (required for registration).
What NOT To Bring
No Firearms
Do not bring personal firearms or ammunition to class
Included
Digital Course Pack
PDF copies of all materials — NRA Basic Firearm Safety, the GOAL MA Gun Law Reference, and handouts — delivered after class
Certificate
Digital
Issued through the MyMassGov / MIRCS portal per 2024 law
07Serving Greater Boston

MA LTC Classes For Middlesex County & Greater Boston

Vantage Defense is in Woburn, Massachusetts — right off I-93 and I-95 — and students travel to us from across Middlesex County and Greater Boston to complete their Basic Firearms Safety Course. Remember: you train here, but you apply for your LTC or FID in the city or town where you live. Students commonly come from:

Middlesex County: Woburn, Winchester, Burlington, Stoneham, Wakefield, Wilmington, Reading, North Reading, Lexington, Arlington, Medford, Malden, Melrose, Somerville, Cambridge, Watertown, Waltham, Belmont, Billerica, Tewksbury, Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Acton, Concord, Lincoln, and Bedford.

Greater Boston & beyond: Boston, Everett, Revere, Chelsea, Saugus, Lynn, Lynnfield, Peabody, Salem, Beverly, Danvers, Andover, North Andover, and Middleton.

If you're searching for a Massachusetts LTC class near me, a gun safety course in Woburn, or you need your basic firearms safety certificate before applying for your Class A License to Carry, we'd be glad to have you in the next session.

08Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any live fire in this course?
No. LTC-033 is a classroom course. While Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 added a live-fire component to Massachusetts' training requirement, that component is not currently being enforced pending finalized state curriculum and qualification standards. The classroom-only LTC-033 remains an approved path to your Basic Firearms Safety Certificate.
How much does the LTC-033 course cost? What are the total fees?
The Vantage Defense Basic Firearms Safety Course (LTC-033) is $250. Separately, the state application fee is $100, paid to your local licensing authority when you submit your LTC or FID application. The license is valid for up to 6 years. Renewal is free for applicants age 70 and older.
How long does it take to get a Massachusetts LTC?
State law gives your licensing authority 40 days from receipt of a completed application to issue or deny your LTC or FID under M.G.L. c. 140 § 121F(a). In practice, most Massachusetts departments take 60 to 120 days depending on interview scheduling and background check processing. You can track your status through the MIRCS portal.
What is the difference between an LTC and an FID in Massachusetts?
An LTC (License to Carry) is for ages 21 and older and covers handguns, semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and any firearm not otherwise prohibited — including concealed carry of handguns. An FID (Firearms Identification Card) is for ages 15 and older (14 with parental consent) and covers only non-semiautomatic rifles up to 10-round capacity and shotguns up to 5-round capacity. No handguns, no semiautomatic rifles, and no carry. The same LTC-033 course qualifies you for either.
Do I need to live in Woburn to take this class?
No. The class is open to any Massachusetts resident or eligible non-resident. Students come from across Middlesex County and Greater Boston — including Winchester, Burlington, Stoneham, Wakefield, Wilmington, Reading, Lexington, Arlington, Medford, Malden, Melrose, and Boston proper. You apply for your license in the city or town where you live, not where you take the course.
Do you provide the firearms for the hands-on portion?
Yes. We use inert training firearms for the Practical Exercises module — a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, a semi-automatic rifle (AR-15 platform), and a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Do not bring personal firearms or ammunition to class.
How do I get a gun license in Massachusetts?
Complete a state-approved Basic Firearms Safety Course such as LTC-033, then apply to your local licensing authority — usually your Chief of Police — through the MIRCS portal at mircsportal.chs.state.ma.us. You'll pay a $100 state fee, be fingerprinted and photographed, pass background checks against CJIS, NICS, and state databases, and the authority has 40 days to issue or deny.
What is LTC-033?
LTC-033 is the Massachusetts State Police certification code assigned to the NRA Home Firearm Safety course as developed and delivered by Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL). It appears on the official MSP approved course list and satisfies the training prerequisite under M.G.L. c. 140 § 131P for both LTC and FID applications.
What happens after I finish the class?
Certificates are issued digitally under the 2024 law. We upload your completion to the state's MIRCS / MyMassGov portal, and you log in to your own account to download and print your Basic Firearms Safety Certificate. From there, you submit your license application through the portal or in person with the $100 state fee.
I already have a Massachusetts LTC. Do I need this course to renew?
If your current license was issued on or before August 1, 2024, no — you're grandfathered under EOPSS guidance and can renew without re-taking the course. If your license was issued after August 1, 2024, you'll need to complete the updated curriculum before your next renewal.
Can I get a gun license in Massachusetts with a prior arrest or charge?
It depends on the specific charge and outcome. Statutory disqualifiers include any felony conviction, certain misdemeanor convictions including domestic violence, active 209A / restraining orders, outstanding warrants, and involuntary mental health commitments. The LTC also involves a "suitability" review by your local chief. Sealed and juvenile records are still visible. Applications are signed under penalty of perjury. If you have questions about a specific item, consult a qualified Massachusetts firearms attorney before applying. GOAL maintains a referral list at goal.org/2a-attorneys.
Do I need a license to buy ammunition in Massachusetts?
Yes. Under M.G.L. c. 140 § 129C, you need a valid LTC or FID card to purchase or possess ammunition in Massachusetts. Ammunition can be shipped into the state to a licensed resident via common carrier despite common belief otherwise, though individual carriers may have their own policies.
Do I have to register my firearms in Massachusetts?
Yes. All LTC and FID holders must report every firearm acquisition, sale, transfer, inheritance, or loss to the DCJIS / Firearms Records Bureau through the Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal within 7 days. Beginning October 2, 2026, nearly all privately owned firearms will need to be registered through the state's electronic registration system; new residents have 60 days to register once licensed.
Will this certificate work for a non-resident LTC in other states?
The Massachusetts BFS certificate is specifically issued for Massachusetts licensing. Some states accept an NRA Home Firearm Safety completion certificate for non-resident purposes, but most states that require a live-fire component will require a separate course. Check the requirements of the state you're applying to.
Can non-citizens get a firearms license in Massachusetts?
Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) may apply for an LTC or FID. Non-immigrant aliens are generally prohibited under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)), with narrow exceptions. If you're on a work visa or other non-immigrant status, consult a qualified firearms attorney before applying.
 

Ready When You Are.

Pick a date, reserve your seat, and take the first concrete step toward responsible firearm ownership in Massachusetts.

Book Your Seat →
Location
Vantage Defense
10 Walnut Hill Park, Suite 1 — Woburn, MA 01801
Call or Text
781‑402‑4650
Text works best
Email
info@vantagedefense.com
Questions before booking? Reach out.
Hours
Open 6 Days
Mon 12–6  ·  Tue–Fri 10–6  ·  Sat 10–3  ·  Sun by appt.
Legal Disclaimer This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Massachusetts firearms law is complex and evolves through legislation, regulation, and court decisions. The live-fire enforcement status described above reflects current state guidance as of June 2026 and may change. Course eligibility, certificate validity, and application requirements are ultimately governed by M.G.L. Chapter 140, § 131P, Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, and the policies of your local licensing authority. For case-specific questions, consult a Massachusetts firearms attorney.
Reserve Your Seat →

SUN:  BY APPOINTMENT

MON: 12PM - 6PM

TUES-FRI: 10AM - 6PM

SAT: 10AM - 3PM

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