As far as I can tell, the FLRB continues to grant relief to eligible individuals including those with OUIs. As Mr. Boudrie and other have pointed out, the problem then becomes passing a NICS check.
Given the recent en banc victories in Binderup, Suarez, and Tyler, the time may be ripe to challenge the federal prohibition based upon a Massachusetts OUI. There trick however is not making one's self subject to federal felon in possession charges in the process.
If you plan to go through the FLRB process you'll have to complete all the LTC application requirements including taking a basic firearm safety course. The problem is that the documentation you submit as part of your FLRB petition usually serves as evidence that, as a prohibited person, you've been in possession of firearms.
You simply cannot challenge the federal prohibition if your FLRB petition contains evidence that you committed a felony.
Not necessarily. Hunter Ed does not require that you handle any firearms. I took it a few years ago (poorly run course) and an instructor held up each gun type in the corner of the room. That was as close as anyone got to a gun.
Other courses require you to load/unload dummy rounds, etc. and do cause the problem you are concerned with.
What if he takes another version of the basic firearms course? I noticed some places on Groupon use laser targets vs. live fire. Those laser guns might not be firearms per MGL/Fed law.
Most of the laser courses use real guns with a laser inserted in the barrel. You'd need a course run only with a SIRT gun (fake gun) to avoid that trap.