Have you ever thought about taking up hunting, or maybe getting a handgun or even a shotgun for home defense?

If you have, then you have probably considered the steps that you would need to take in order to possess a firearm legally. Reviewing the following steps, highlighted by Sgt. Patrick Harrington, of the Tewksbury Police Department, will help you make a decision as to whether or not you want to possess a firearm at all.

“(Tewksbury residents) need to complete an approved Firearms Safety Course,” said Harrington. “The (courses) required vary depending on the (type of license) you are applying for.”

For information on the available approved Firearms Safety Courses, please visit http://www.mass.gov.

“Next, make an appointment at the Police Department to fill out (an) application, and submit fingerprints for a background check," said Harrington.

This procedure is not exclusive. It is the same, he said, whether you are applying for an LTC (a License to Carry) or an FIC (Firearms Identification Card). Applicants found to have a criminal record will not be issued a license.

If you are approved, Congratulations! Just make sure you know the Massachusetts State Gun Laws, because you are obligated to abide by them. For a list of these, please visit www.mass.gov/

Lastly, residents are required to renew their licenses every five years. To do so, please make an appointment at the Tewksbury Police Department. Because of the fact that gun licenses are issued to individuals at different times every year, said Harrington, the volume of applicants for license renewal varies depending upon when the license was issued.