Firearms Surrender Program

(1) Date/Time/Location. Persons turning in a firearm(s) shall notify their local law enforcement department or the Department of State Police, in writing or by telephone, informing the department of their desire to surrender a firearm(s). Such persons shall make arrangements with the department regarding date, time, locations, manner, and officer who shall be receiving the firearm(s). (2) Firearms Submitted for Disposal. The State Police Firearms Identification Section shall receive firearms, turned in from a Firearms Surrender Program, for disposal from any law enforcement department in the state. The firearms shall be accompanied by an official department request as set forth in 515 CMR 3.06(3) and (4) and submitted as follows: (a) A copy of the request shall accompany the firearms to serve as a temporary receipt pending the final verification. (b) Prior to submission each firearm shall be tagged to correspond to the item number listed on the request. (c) No more than 25 firearms shall be submitted at any one time, unless by approval of the State Police Firearms Identification Section. (3) Form of Official Department Request. A request by a law enforcement department for the disposal of firearms shall be on a form prescribed by the Colonel and shall: (a) Officially request disposal and be signed by the chief of the department or the equivalent of the department's evidence/contraband officer; (b) Be signed by the officer responsible for submitting the firearms; (c) List each firearm with a description of the firearm that includes the caliber, manufacturer's name, type or model, and serial number; and (d) Certify that a stolen record check has been completed through both LEAPS and NCIC on each firearm submitted, with negative results. (4) Request Substitute. A court order authorizing the disposal or destruction of firearms may be used in lieu of an official department request. (5) Immunity. Persons turning in firearms at the stated date, time and location, as arranged through the police department, shall not be asked for identification and shall be immune from prosecution for possession of such firearm(s) as set forth in M.G.L. c. 140, § 131O.