Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, signed into law on July 25, 2024, modernizes firearm laws in Massachusetts in response to a Supreme Court decision limiting state authority over gun safety measures. A significant aspect of this legislation is the new requirement for individuals seeking a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification Card (FID) to complete a basic firearms safety course that includes live fire training. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) is responsible for studying the implementation of this requirement, ensuring it is accessible and affordable statewide. The report generated from this study will include public input from hearings held in May and June 2025 and will address key considerations such as costs, accessibility of training resources, and the lack of state-run shooting ranges.

The bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including certified instructors and shooting ranges, to effectively integrate live fire training into the licensing process by the statutory deadline of April 2026. It outlines specific training requirements for municipalities with existing local mandates and highlights the need for clear standards to avoid creating barriers for prospective gun owners. Public feedback indicated support for live fire training but raised concerns about its mandatory nature, costs, and logistical challenges. The bill aims to balance public safety goals with practical implementation considerations, exploring partnerships and incentives to enhance training capacity while ensuring that the new requirements do not hinder access for potential gun owners.