Appeal a firearms license denial

District Court

If your firearms license application was denied for any reason, including suitability, you can appeal the denial at the district court that has jurisdiction over your police department. The appeal must be submitted within 90 days of the denial.

Firearm Licensing Review Board

If your firearms license application was denied because you were convicted of a misdemeanor punishable by two and one half years, you can petition the Firearm Licensing Review Board.  

You can not submit a petition if your license application was denied for suitability or if your misdemeanor conviction was:

• An assault and battery on a household member
• A crime involving firearms or ammunition
• A crime involving drugs 

To petition, you must submit:

• A notarized petition
• Payment of fee (bank check or money order)
• The LTC or FID card application that was denied
• A written statement
• The police report that is relevant to the disqualifying conviction
• Court records that are relevant to the disqualifying conviction

Additionally, you may provide:

• A police chief or licensing officer recommendation
• Letters of recommendation
• Any additional police reports or court records
• Witness list, if any 

Petitions may be submitted online using the Firearm Licensing Review Board Petition webform at the following link.  Please follow the instructions on the webform when submitting your petition and supporting documents.

Please note – beginning on July 1, 2026, all petitions must be submitted online.  Any petitions received in the mail after July 1, 2026 will be returned.

All questions regarding electronic submission of petitions should be directed to the Legal Unit at legal.info@mass.gov.