Bill seeks to waive fingerprint check for gun licensing checks in Massachusetts Updated Jan 21, 2021; By Katie Lannan | State House News Service A Webster Republican is again proposing a process that would allow Massachusetts residents to apply for firearms licenses during the COVID-19 pandemic without first getting fingerprinted, refiling legislation that did not gain traction at the tail end of last session. Rep. Joe McKenna’s bill would allow local police chiefs or the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to temporarily waive the requirement that applicants for firearms identification cards and licenses to carry a firearm have their fingerprints taken for a background check, if they determine it’s unsafe or unreasonable to collect prints.