HAWLEY — Police Chief Jared Bellows says a change in state policy regarding firearms licenses is causing unusually long renewal delays.
As of Jan. 1, the state began refusing to accept anything but electronic applications that are processed using the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS). This changeover has caused a backlog of renewals, and the fact that Hawley has not been issued a copy of the MIRCS software by the state adds to the problem.
Bellows, who also serves as Charlemont’s police chief, advises gun owners to submit early enough to allow plenty of time to process renewals and new applications. That could be as long as 12 weeks.
While Bellows said that the backlog has been sorted out and renewal cards should be on their way in a couple of weeks, it will still be a while until the system becomes efficient.
Until further notice, (while the town awaits installation of automated firearms licensing software at the Hawley Town Office), Bellows will hold his Hawley office hours at the Charlemont Police Station, located in the Highway Building in Charlemont, near the Fire Station. His office hours for Hawley are generally 5 to 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month.