Basic Firearms Safety Expiration Question

[dmgarand]

Need help settling an argument here in the grand socialist republic of Massachusetts.

Have a friend with a certificate from 2012. He wants to apply but I know a friend who was told he needed to re-cert because it was two and a half years old before he applied. Talked with an NRA instructor who says my buddy will have to take a new class. Another friend says there’s no expiration and he should apply and appeal because it’s not in the state gun laws. What’s the general concusses?

 

[01906]

It's up to the town. I had a similar situation. Licensing officer was A real nice guy. He wanted me to take another one. Reason being laws have changed. I think it should be constitutional carry. But I didn't see a problem with that. Pick and choose your battles!

 

[last ranger]

By state law the safety course does not expire. Once you take it you are good to go,.

 

[Len-2A Training]

MGL says that any MSP BFS Cert is good forever.

However, PDs make their own rules and if you buck them, it will cost you time delay (lawsuits take years) and court/lawyer fees.

 

[drgrant]

What Len said, various towns have a myriad of unlawful requirements which vary from town to town.

Some decent places will abide any certificate. Other one set arbitrary limits like "no older than 5 years" etc. Some are far worse than that. (like some are 2 years, etc. ).

You can probably set the whole argument aside for the moment because realistically unless he lives in one of those towns with like 200 people in it, he's not applying till like June at this rate. None are taking apps right now, just renewals, and even
at that, renewals are going to be painful and backed up as well. Unless he's lucky enough that the LO or whoever it is is willing to set up a future appointment with him... but I doubt it.

-Mike

 

[p.tice]

The MGL gives no expiration on the certificate- but some towns do. I didn't have a problem when I applied for my LTC about a month ago. I got my safety certificate when I turned fifteen in 2013, and my PD accepted it for my LTC application seven years later. It really depends on who the licensing officer is, and I would recommend calling/emailing them to ask if they will accept it.

 

[dmgarand]

Thanks guys