Massachusetts Firearms Legal Updates and Guide
In addition to providing leadership training to law enforcement professionals, Ron has been training Massachusetts law enforcement personnel on firearms licensing and enforcement issues for more than 25 years. His firearms legal update classes are held each spring and fall at numerous locations throughout Massachusetts. For more information or to register for a firearms legal update class, click on this link for the Municipal Police Institute and then click the “firearms” option to list all of the scheduled classes
Ron is also the author of the Law Enforcement Guide to Firearms Law. This guide is the most up-to-date and comprehensive single source available on Massachusetts firearms licensing and enforcement. To purchase this guide in either book or PDF format, click on this button.
A message from Ron:
If you are seeking legal advice on a firearms-related issue, please contact an attorney experienced in firearms law. I am not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice. However, if you are a law enforcement professional seeking guidance on Massachusetts firearms law, please contact me at any time.
Ronald C. Glidden
Glidden Training & Consulting, LLC
chief@ronglidden.com
MCOPA Basic Handgun Safety Course LTC-030
The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Basic Handgun Safety Course was created by Chief Ron Glidden (Ret.) for use by law enforcement firearms instructors. It is not available on this website. If you are a current or retired law enforcement officer and a Massachusetts-certified BFS instructor who would like to use LTC-030, please contact Ron directly at chief@ronglidden.com.
MA Firearms Legal Group (Google Groups)
This Google Group is intended to provide Massachusetts law enforcement officers and civilian firearms licensing personnel with up-to-date information about Massachusetts firearms law. It also serves as a forum for asking and answering questions about firearms law. Membership requires approval. If you have a law enforcement affiliation and would like to join this Google Group, please contact the Group Administrator.
Massachusetts Firearms Law PDF Downloads
The PDF downloads listed below are free and available to the public.
EOPSS Basic Firearms Safety Course Guidance
State Police BFS Instructor Communication
Approved BFS Instructor List 4.3.26
Approved Public BFS Instructor List with Contact Information 4.3.26
Approved BFS Course List 4.18.26
Approved Firearms Roster - April 2026
Formal Target Shooting Roster - April 2026
501 CMR 6.00 Bona Fide Collector of Firearms
501 CMR 7.00 Approved Firearms Rosters
501 CMR 8.00 Standards for use of Electronic Weapons
501 CMR 9.00 Replacement of Firearms Licenses
501 CMR 13.00 Standards for Active Officers LEOSA ID Cards
501 CMR 15.00 Standards for Retired Officers LEOSA ID Cards
501 CMR 19.00 Registration of Firearms
501 CMR 20.00 Serialization of Firearms
515 CMR 3.00 BFS Course and Instructor Certifications
515 CMR 6.00 LEOSA Qualification Standards and Instructor Certification