I received my license in the mail today. Here are the notes I took along the way. I'd welcome any advice or edits. I'll expect to pass this on to a few co-workers in a few days.
In theory, the information below is as detailed as it needs to be in order to enable someone who has never touched a gun to get a gun license in the city of Boston.
Listed are the steps, price for each step, and estimated minimum time required to complete each step.
Notes completed 8/11/05.
My case:
Time to complete all steps and get license: 89 days
(of the 89 days listed above, 54 days were spent just waiting for the application to be processed)
Total cost to fulfill all requirements (does not include the costs of buying a gun): $422
Summary of required steps:
-take approved pistol safety class
-become a member of a gun club
-apply for license
-pass Moon Island range test
Detailed steps:
1 - Review application for Class A license, $0, 0 days
There are three types of licenses available (listed in order of increasing usefulness): FID, Class B and Class A. FID and Class B are nearly worthless; do not bother with them.
You want a Class A.
The application can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/chsb/pdfs/frb/frb_fid_lic_app.pdf
NOTE: This application paperwork is not accepted by the City of Boston. It is no better or worse than Boston's requirements, but Boston requires its own paperwork. If you see no problems on the state application, then you won't have any problems with Boston's version. Boston's application is not available online and must be picked up in person. See Step 9 below (Prior to applying in person in Boston, you should review question-section of the state application. You will be asked every question on the state application.)
2 - Decide to get CLASS A gun license and maybe a gun, $0, 0 days
Call local gun club to find out the scheduling of the next open NRA Certified Basic Pistol Safety Class.
Recommended: Boston Gun and Rifle Association has classes every week. Phone: 617 436 8846 Website: www.bostongunclub.net Cost: $150/class.
This class is highly recommended only because of its convenience: it is accessible by T and it is offered ALL the time. Almost every other range offering classes tends to offer classes at a frequency of once a month or less. Because the application process is so long, the absolute best thing you can do for yourself is to start today. And, the easiest way to start today is to sign up today. The BGRA's prices aren't terrible, but some other places go as low as $75. You'll need access to a car to get to a cheaper class; www.goal.org can help you find one that's not too far away.
3 - Sign up for class at BGRA, $150, 1 day
BGRA - need to bring filled out application, found on website (www.bostongunclub.net). To be prudent, try to sign up a week or so before the class. However, they often have openings in the next scheduled class. Check or cash [edit: they now take credit cards as well (or debit with a visa/mc logo)].
The BGRA is located at Fields Corner, on a side-street just after going under the subway bridge (when heading south on Dorchester Ave from Boston). Hard to find. Call the BGRA and ask for directions from whomever you talk to. You have to press a buzzer to be allowed in.
4 - Start basic pistol safety class, $0, 3 days
Held at BGRA
5 - Graduate basic pistol safety class, $0, 7 days
Don't lose the graduation papers. This is a good point to confirm that you want to spend the rest of the time and money necessary to get a license.
6 - Join a gun club, $150, 1 day
Many clubs have more extensive facilities than the BGRA. The BGRA has a benefit of location and a friendly atmosphere, but if you have a car and don't mind a short drive, there are better facilities outside of the Boston city limits (BGRA is a pistol range only). www.goal.org has a list of ranges in the surrounding counties. At the BGRA, take $25 off if you sign up within a month of taking the class.
7* - Target shooting tutorial. Prep for Moon Island test, $22, 4 days
Assuming you're taking this from Bob at BGRA. You will get his card upon finishing the class. The hour or so tutorial is not expensive, but possibly not worth the money if you think you're good enough already or you know someone who will let you train on their .38 revolver.
The Moon Island test is described in all its gory detail below. Presumably best day for both you and the trainer will be several days after graduation.
8 - Get club membership letter, $0, 4 days (about a week from step 6)
The time between applying (step 6) and getting notice of membership, should be less than 2 weeks.
9 - Fill out Class A license and apply, $100, 1 day
Note: to apply in Boston you must pick up an application in person from the licensing dept. Call the BPD (617 343 4425 - license dept., 617 343 4200 - main number) to verify the hours that they are open. You may have to schedule a few hours off from work to go pick up application, and--if you are actually applying on a different day--a few hours to apply.
Don't bother applying for anything but a CLASS A license (you will be issued either an unrestricted or a restricted Class A license). The only Bostonians who get unrestricted class A licenses are crime victims, business owners who make cash deposits, or people connected politically. When asking for a CLASS A license, expect first question from police to be "what do you want that for?" Possible answers: "for all lawful purposes", "sport/target", or "business-related". You will need: Drivers License, copy of Birth Certificate, 2 Utility Bills, copy of Gun Course Certificate, copy of Letter of Membership from gun club, and 2 references (name, address, phone #). (if you are applying for a "business-related" license you will need more paperwork--they will give you a list). Pick application in person: 1190 Tremont St., Roxbury, MA 8:30 - 3:30 Monday-Friday. You can show up with the required paperwork and apply immediately, or you can take the application home and bring it back filled out and with papers. Application processs: you will be fingerprinted with ink, fingerscanned, and photographed (photograph will be shown on license). You will be verbally asked all of the questions on the state application by an officer. You will be asked to choose a range date for test and given a permission slip for the range date. DO NOT LOSE PERMISSION SLIP. Cash, not check or credit. ATM machine on site.**
10* - Take Moon Island test, $0, 3 days
Bring the permission slip given to you in step 9. Moon Island test can be scheduled for any weekday, either at 7am or 4pm. Presumably, you could take it the next day. Estimate the shortest time to be 3 days from the day you apply for a license.
11 - Receive Class A license, $0, 42 days
The officer said that this would take 5-6 weeks, (but probably less) to get license. I don't know if they started processing the day after I filled out the forms or the day after the range test. The officer's statement, while encouraging, seems to contradict the actual facts. In conversation with other license applicants, and my own experience, it seems that the licensing process takes a Minimum of 6 weeks and could take more than 100 days. On anecdotal evidence, it seems to take anywhere from 2 to 6 months for the Boston police department to actually issue a license.
12 - Buy gun, the sky's the limit, 1 day
www.northeastshooters.com has a forum giving feedback on gun shops.
In order to buy a gun, you just need to walk into the store with a license and money (and your state-issued PIN, and don't lose the finger that was fingerscanned in step 9...). It's blessedly simple at this point (except that your choice of guns is restricted by THE LIST (and the Atty. General's DOUBLE-SECRET LIST), but that's not worth discussing here). In addition to the price of the gun, you probably should also budget for: eye protection ($10), ear protection ($25), gun-cleaning kit ($10), (and ammo & targets...), most guns come with a gun lock, but if the one you want doesn't you will have to buy one of those as well.
Total Time and Cost: $422.00, 66 days
(of the estimated minimum Time above, 42 days are just waiting for the application to be processed)
MINIMUM COST FOR LICENSE: Cost of a pistol safety course + Cost of a club membership + $100. If you pick the class and the club by price, you might be able to get cost down to about $325
MINIMUM TIME FOR LICENSE: If you don't live in Boston, you could shave off 3 more days by not doing step 10, and the turnaround time for a license might be less than 5-6 weeks.
*These are steps only required of City-Of-Boston residents. (They may also be required of residents of a few cities surrounding Boston, like Cambridge, Brookline and/or Quincy. I don't know.)
**More on trying to get an unrestricted license rather than a sport/target license. I tried "for all lawful purposes" and was told that I wasn't allowed to get a license "for all lawful purposes". The officer changed my application to "sport/target". You can also try writing in "All lawful purposes - see attached letter". You should definitely have a thorough letter attached stating your need for a license to carry. In Boston, "need" is generally considered to be: a criminal in your neighborhood has attacked you or pulled a gun on you. So, "need" is pretty hard to prove to the BPD. Paint a bleak picture of your situation... If you really want an unrestricted class A, it might be worth talking to the lawyers at www.attorneycohen.com or www.massgunlaw.com for advice and assistance. I don't know their rates.
===========================
The Moon Island Range Test:
===========================
(Don't panic. The test isn't hard. I'm just trying to give as detailed an explanation as possible so there's no fear of the unknown.)
Summary:
You're given a 6 shot police .357 revolver and 30 rounds of .38 special ammunition.
Fire 12 shots, on target, one-handed, double-action, at 7 yards.
Then, fire 18 shots, on target, two-handed, single-or-double-action (read: single-action) at 15 yards.
Passing:
You are being tested for accuracy and gun-handling safety.
The safety part is easy. Don't point the gun at anyone, keep your finger off the trigger when not firing, don't drop the gun, remember what you were taught in class.
To pass the accuracy part, you basically need to get all shots in the black area of the target.
Actual rules for accuracy scoring:
Each shot can score 0 (white part of paper, or missing the target entirely), 8 (outer black ring), 9 (middle black ring) or 10 points (center black ring and bulls eye).
With 30 shots there are 300 maximum available points.
You must score a minimum of 210 points to pass. (i.e., you can miss 3, and get all 8s with the rest, and still pass).
The target is a large, black, squarish oval against a white background. The outside edge of the 8 ring is 12" wide and 18" tall. At the BGRA it is known as the "Boston" target; I don't know if that is the proper name for it. Every range should have it and should know what you're talking about if you ask for one.
Where is it?
Moon Island Range, out past Squantum. The directions they give you are accurate and easy to follow, but the map on which they are printed is a joke.
Drive through Quincy, through Squantum, and at the "Authorized personel only" gate, tell the policeman that you are going for the test.
Drive on the causeway to Moon Island, take the right fork.
You will see abandoned locks on the left side of the road, the range is immediately after them on the left.
Park at the end of the locks on the left-hand side of the road.
Consolidated advice from various people:
In addition to any other practice, try to get some range time less than a week before the test. Double-action revolver triggers are heavy.
The Moon Island range is an outdoor range.
You must bring the piece of paper given to you by the Boston PD when you scheduled the test.
Be at least 5-10 minutes early. If you show up 1 minute after they start the test, they will refuse to let you test and force you to reschedule.
Park in the correct area. If you park past the range, or park on the right side of the road, they will yell at you. You won't fail because of that, or anything, but avoid it.
You can request a gun with a larger/smaller grip if necessary, but you must request it at the time you are given the gun (you can't get out to the firing line and then ask to switch)
Make sure not to drop the gun when it's in the bucket and you're taking it to and from the firing line (hold it with both hands).
For the one-handed part of the test, you might find that your arm gets tired. If so, take three shots, bring your arm down and rest a second, take a full breath, raise the gun, let half the air out, and take the next three shots.
There's no point in rushing, and the police aren't going to rush you.
If you don't pass, the range officer said he would let an applicant take the test a second time, a week or so later, without additional paperwork & fees.
In theory, the information below is as detailed as it needs to be in order to enable someone who has never touched a gun to get a gun license in the city of Boston.
Listed are the steps, price for each step, and estimated minimum time required to complete each step.
Notes completed 8/11/05.
My case:
Time to complete all steps and get license: 89 days
(of the 89 days listed above, 54 days were spent just waiting for the application to be processed)
Total cost to fulfill all requirements (does not include the costs of buying a gun): $422
Summary of required steps:
-take approved pistol safety class
-become a member of a gun club
-apply for license
-pass Moon Island range test
Detailed steps:
1 - Review application for Class A license, $0, 0 days
There are three types of licenses available (listed in order of increasing usefulness): FID, Class B and Class A. FID and Class B are nearly worthless; do not bother with them.
You want a Class A.
The application can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/chsb/pdfs/frb/frb_fid_lic_app.pdf
NOTE: This application paperwork is not accepted by the City of Boston. It is no better or worse than Boston's requirements, but Boston requires its own paperwork. If you see no problems on the state application, then you won't have any problems with Boston's version. Boston's application is not available online and must be picked up in person. See Step 9 below (Prior to applying in person in Boston, you should review question-section of the state application. You will be asked every question on the state application.)
2 - Decide to get CLASS A gun license and maybe a gun, $0, 0 days
Call local gun club to find out the scheduling of the next open NRA Certified Basic Pistol Safety Class.
Recommended: Boston Gun and Rifle Association has classes every week. Phone: 617 436 8846 Website: www.bostongunclub.net Cost: $150/class.
This class is highly recommended only because of its convenience: it is accessible by T and it is offered ALL the time. Almost every other range offering classes tends to offer classes at a frequency of once a month or less. Because the application process is so long, the absolute best thing you can do for yourself is to start today. And, the easiest way to start today is to sign up today. The BGRA's prices aren't terrible, but some other places go as low as $75. You'll need access to a car to get to a cheaper class; www.goal.org can help you find one that's not too far away.
3 - Sign up for class at BGRA, $150, 1 day
BGRA - need to bring filled out application, found on website (www.bostongunclub.net). To be prudent, try to sign up a week or so before the class. However, they often have openings in the next scheduled class. Check or cash [edit: they now take credit cards as well (or debit with a visa/mc logo)].
The BGRA is located at Fields Corner, on a side-street just after going under the subway bridge (when heading south on Dorchester Ave from Boston). Hard to find. Call the BGRA and ask for directions from whomever you talk to. You have to press a buzzer to be allowed in.
4 - Start basic pistol safety class, $0, 3 days
Held at BGRA
5 - Graduate basic pistol safety class, $0, 7 days
Don't lose the graduation papers. This is a good point to confirm that you want to spend the rest of the time and money necessary to get a license.
6 - Join a gun club, $150, 1 day
Many clubs have more extensive facilities than the BGRA. The BGRA has a benefit of location and a friendly atmosphere, but if you have a car and don't mind a short drive, there are better facilities outside of the Boston city limits (BGRA is a pistol range only). www.goal.org has a list of ranges in the surrounding counties. At the BGRA, take $25 off if you sign up within a month of taking the class.
7* - Target shooting tutorial. Prep for Moon Island test, $22, 4 days
Assuming you're taking this from Bob at BGRA. You will get his card upon finishing the class. The hour or so tutorial is not expensive, but possibly not worth the money if you think you're good enough already or you know someone who will let you train on their .38 revolver.
The Moon Island test is described in all its gory detail below. Presumably best day for both you and the trainer will be several days after graduation.
8 - Get club membership letter, $0, 4 days (about a week from step 6)
The time between applying (step 6) and getting notice of membership, should be less than 2 weeks.
9 - Fill out Class A license and apply, $100, 1 day
Note: to apply in Boston you must pick up an application in person from the licensing dept. Call the BPD (617 343 4425 - license dept., 617 343 4200 - main number) to verify the hours that they are open. You may have to schedule a few hours off from work to go pick up application, and--if you are actually applying on a different day--a few hours to apply.
Don't bother applying for anything but a CLASS A license (you will be issued either an unrestricted or a restricted Class A license). The only Bostonians who get unrestricted class A licenses are crime victims, business owners who make cash deposits, or people connected politically. When asking for a CLASS A license, expect first question from police to be "what do you want that for?" Possible answers: "for all lawful purposes", "sport/target", or "business-related". You will need: Drivers License, copy of Birth Certificate, 2 Utility Bills, copy of Gun Course Certificate, copy of Letter of Membership from gun club, and 2 references (name, address, phone #). (if you are applying for a "business-related" license you will need more paperwork--they will give you a list). Pick application in person: 1190 Tremont St., Roxbury, MA 8:30 - 3:30 Monday-Friday. You can show up with the required paperwork and apply immediately, or you can take the application home and bring it back filled out and with papers. Application processs: you will be fingerprinted with ink, fingerscanned, and photographed (photograph will be shown on license). You will be verbally asked all of the questions on the state application by an officer. You will be asked to choose a range date for test and given a permission slip for the range date. DO NOT LOSE PERMISSION SLIP. Cash, not check or credit. ATM machine on site.**
10* - Take Moon Island test, $0, 3 days
Bring the permission slip given to you in step 9. Moon Island test can be scheduled for any weekday, either at 7am or 4pm. Presumably, you could take it the next day. Estimate the shortest time to be 3 days from the day you apply for a license.
11 - Receive Class A license, $0, 42 days
The officer said that this would take 5-6 weeks, (but probably less) to get license. I don't know if they started processing the day after I filled out the forms or the day after the range test. The officer's statement, while encouraging, seems to contradict the actual facts. In conversation with other license applicants, and my own experience, it seems that the licensing process takes a Minimum of 6 weeks and could take more than 100 days. On anecdotal evidence, it seems to take anywhere from 2 to 6 months for the Boston police department to actually issue a license.
12 - Buy gun, the sky's the limit, 1 day
www.northeastshooters.com has a forum giving feedback on gun shops.
In order to buy a gun, you just need to walk into the store with a license and money (and your state-issued PIN, and don't lose the finger that was fingerscanned in step 9...). It's blessedly simple at this point (except that your choice of guns is restricted by THE LIST (and the Atty. General's DOUBLE-SECRET LIST), but that's not worth discussing here). In addition to the price of the gun, you probably should also budget for: eye protection ($10), ear protection ($25), gun-cleaning kit ($10), (and ammo & targets...), most guns come with a gun lock, but if the one you want doesn't you will have to buy one of those as well.
Total Time and Cost: $422.00, 66 days
(of the estimated minimum Time above, 42 days are just waiting for the application to be processed)
MINIMUM COST FOR LICENSE: Cost of a pistol safety course + Cost of a club membership + $100. If you pick the class and the club by price, you might be able to get cost down to about $325
MINIMUM TIME FOR LICENSE: If you don't live in Boston, you could shave off 3 more days by not doing step 10, and the turnaround time for a license might be less than 5-6 weeks.
*These are steps only required of City-Of-Boston residents. (They may also be required of residents of a few cities surrounding Boston, like Cambridge, Brookline and/or Quincy. I don't know.)
**More on trying to get an unrestricted license rather than a sport/target license. I tried "for all lawful purposes" and was told that I wasn't allowed to get a license "for all lawful purposes". The officer changed my application to "sport/target". You can also try writing in "All lawful purposes - see attached letter". You should definitely have a thorough letter attached stating your need for a license to carry. In Boston, "need" is generally considered to be: a criminal in your neighborhood has attacked you or pulled a gun on you. So, "need" is pretty hard to prove to the BPD. Paint a bleak picture of your situation... If you really want an unrestricted class A, it might be worth talking to the lawyers at www.attorneycohen.com or www.massgunlaw.com for advice and assistance. I don't know their rates.
===========================
The Moon Island Range Test:
===========================
(Don't panic. The test isn't hard. I'm just trying to give as detailed an explanation as possible so there's no fear of the unknown.)
Summary:
You're given a 6 shot police .357 revolver and 30 rounds of .38 special ammunition.
Fire 12 shots, on target, one-handed, double-action, at 7 yards.
Then, fire 18 shots, on target, two-handed, single-or-double-action (read: single-action) at 15 yards.
Passing:
You are being tested for accuracy and gun-handling safety.
The safety part is easy. Don't point the gun at anyone, keep your finger off the trigger when not firing, don't drop the gun, remember what you were taught in class.
To pass the accuracy part, you basically need to get all shots in the black area of the target.
Actual rules for accuracy scoring:
Each shot can score 0 (white part of paper, or missing the target entirely), 8 (outer black ring), 9 (middle black ring) or 10 points (center black ring and bulls eye).
With 30 shots there are 300 maximum available points.
You must score a minimum of 210 points to pass. (i.e., you can miss 3, and get all 8s with the rest, and still pass).
The target is a large, black, squarish oval against a white background. The outside edge of the 8 ring is 12" wide and 18" tall. At the BGRA it is known as the "Boston" target; I don't know if that is the proper name for it. Every range should have it and should know what you're talking about if you ask for one.
Where is it?
Moon Island Range, out past Squantum. The directions they give you are accurate and easy to follow, but the map on which they are printed is a joke.
Drive through Quincy, through Squantum, and at the "Authorized personel only" gate, tell the policeman that you are going for the test.
Drive on the causeway to Moon Island, take the right fork.
You will see abandoned locks on the left side of the road, the range is immediately after them on the left.
Park at the end of the locks on the left-hand side of the road.
Consolidated advice from various people:
In addition to any other practice, try to get some range time less than a week before the test. Double-action revolver triggers are heavy.
The Moon Island range is an outdoor range.
You must bring the piece of paper given to you by the Boston PD when you scheduled the test.
Be at least 5-10 minutes early. If you show up 1 minute after they start the test, they will refuse to let you test and force you to reschedule.
Park in the correct area. If you park past the range, or park on the right side of the road, they will yell at you. You won't fail because of that, or anything, but avoid it.
You can request a gun with a larger/smaller grip if necessary, but you must request it at the time you are given the gun (you can't get out to the firing line and then ask to switch)
Make sure not to drop the gun when it's in the bucket and you're taking it to and from the firing line (hold it with both hands).
For the one-handed part of the test, you might find that your arm gets tired. If so, take three shots, bring your arm down and rest a second, take a full breath, raise the gun, let half the air out, and take the next three shots.
There's no point in rushing, and the police aren't going to rush you.
If you don't pass, the range officer said he would let an applicant take the test a second time, a week or so later, without additional paperwork & fees.