803 CMR 10.02
Definitions
All definitions set forth in 803 CMR 2.00: Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI),
5.00: Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) - Housing, 7.00: Criminal Justice
Information System (CJIS), 8.00: Obtaining Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) for
Research Purposes, 9.00: Victim Notification Registry (VNR), and 11.00: Consumer Reporting
Agency (CRA) are incorporated in 803 CMR 10.00 by reference. The following additional words
and phrases as used in 803 CMR 10.02 shall have the following meanings:
Electronic Communication Link. Refers to the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System
(MIRCS).
Gun. Firearms, rifles, shotguns, or machine guns as defined in M.G.L. c. 140, § 121.
Gun Dealer. A person licensed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140, §122 to conduct gun transactions.
Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS). The automated system (and any
successor system) owned and maintained by the DCJIS that provides on-line firearms licensing
by licensing authorities and on-line reporting of gun transactions by gun dealers. The MIRCS
is the sole electronic communication link by which a gun dealer may submit gun transaction data
to the DCJIS.
Personal Identification Number (PIN). A unique, arbitrary string of characters generated by the
MIRCS for each firearms licensee at the time of first issue and at each license renewal.
Verification. The process of verifying the identity of the firearms license holder and the validity
of the firearms license. There are two steps in the verification process. The first involves the
submission of the licensee's PIN to the DCJIS and the DCJIS response regarding the identity of
the purchaser and the validity of the license. The second step involves the visual inspection of
the firearms license presented and the visual comparison of the photo on the license to the
individual presenting the license.
Legacy License. A firearm license issued in the Commonwealth by a licensing authority that has
not been issued via the MIRCS.
(MA REG. # 1333, Dated 2-24-17)
803 CMR 10.00 applies to Gun dealers licensed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140, § 122.
(1) Only Gun dealers that have successfully completed the MIRCS training provided by the
DCJIS will be granted access to MIRCS.
(2) Said training shall be completed within 60 days of notice from the commissioner of the
DCJIS.
(1) As mandated by M.G.L. c. 6, § 172M, gun dealers shall obtain from the DCJIS all available
criminal offender record information (CORI) prior to accepting a person as an employee to
determine the suitability of such individual if the person will have direct and unmonitored
contact with firearms, shotguns, or rifles.
(2) In order to obtain CORI for this purpose, gun dealers shall register for an iCORI account
and submit CORI requests as provided in 803 CMR 2.00: Criminal Offender Record
Information (CORI).
(3) Gun dealers mandated by M.G.L. c. 6, § 172M to conduct CORI checks on employees are
subject to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 6, §§ 168 through 178B and 803 CMR 2.00: Criminal
Offender Record Information (CORI).
(4) A gun dealer who has no employees shall submit a form, specified by the DCJIS
Commissioner, to the DCJIS attesting to the fact that he or she is exempt from the provisions of
M.G.L. c. 6, § 172M.
(5) Failure to comply with the background check requirements set forth in 803 CMR 10.05 shall
be reported by the DCJIS to the local licensing authority that issued the gun dealer's license.
In order to electronically transmit gun transactions to the DCJIS via the MIRCS, gun dealers
are required to obtain the following:
(1) an internet connection;
(2) any type of computer that can connect to the internet; and
(3) a printer.