Newton Mass will not issue unrestricted carry permits

[papau]

Ok - The fellow that predicted my unrestricted Mass carry would be restricted on renewal was correct.

Rural Mass towns have different rules than Boston area - In Newton I'd have to need the gun for work, or transport of money, in order to get an unrestricted carry in this town.

I put on the table enough prior Federal and prior State paperwork to keep any jurisdiction calm - but they will not change their rules - so it was accept the restrictions or go to Court.

So my renewal in Mass is now restricted to "concealed carry while going to a hunting or target shooting location".

And if I renew in a rural Mass town using a relatives address, so as to get an unrestricted, I am in trouble with the law if I do not notify the Newton Police so they can act to have it restricted.

So the only thing the restricted Class A carry gives me beyond the Class B simple ownership (where you "carry" your weapon to the hunt or target shooting in the trunk of your car), is large loading capacity guns, and the ability to not have them in the car trunk on my way to and from.

I like Mass because of its tough gun laws - but I think we may have gone a bit too far.

[MrBenchley]

1. Good for them...

[-..__...]

2. The chief was just looking out for your safety.

:eyes:

Ok - The fellow that predicted my unrestricted Mass carry would be restricted on renewal was correct.

And you had pay $100.00 for the right "privilege" of doing so.
(note: $50.00 of that money goes to cover administrative costs... the other $50. 00 goes into the "general fund")


Rural Mass towns have different rules than Boston area - In Newton I'd have to need the gun for work, or transport of money, in order to get an unrestricted carry in this town.

Don't quote me on this but, I think you can apply for a Class A LTC "for all lawful purposes" in the city or town where you work. Then again your results will depend if that CLEO is also an authoritarian asshat.

I put on the table enough prior Federal and prior State paperwork to keep any jurisdiction calm - but they will not change their rules - so it was accept the restrictions or go to Court.

Some chiefs will back down if challenged, others won't (I suspect the Newton CLEO will dig his heels in though).

"JUDICIAL STANDARDS FOR FIREARMS LICENSE APPEALS"

http://www.masschiefs.org/hottopics/hotpdf's/firearms_pdfs/Feb%202001.pdf

(note: PDF file).

If it's something you feel that's worthwhile pursuing... give this guy a call.

http://www.massgunlaw.com

So my renewal in Mass is now restricted to "concealed carry while going to a hunting or target shooting location".

Serves you right... through the methodology and application of MA gun laws, you committed a crime by moving from one community to another.


I like Mass because of its tough gun laws - but I think we may have gone a bit too far.

You reap what you sow. Personally, I consider the MA firearms laws a disgrace, but that's my opinion.

This is what happens when power corrupts...

"Want a gun? You'll need to see your doctor

By Kelly A. Winget
Eagle-Tribune Writer

METHUEN -- People in Greater Lawrence who apply for a handgun license for the first time now need a letter from their doctor stating they are medically and psychologically fit.

To police, this is one more tool to help them decide who should be permitted to carry a gun. But to gun owner advocates, it is one more step designed to make it "virtually impossible" for people to obtain a permit to own and carry a handgun.

Police chiefs in Lawrence, Andover, North Andover and Methuen met months ago, at the request of Andover Police Chief Brian Pattullo, to make gun licensing rules uniform throughout the four communities.

They agreed that applicants must get a note from a doctor stating there are "no medical or psychological issues" that would prevent the person from owning or operating a gun.

Gun applicants would also be required to pass a gun safety course, undergo a complete background check, fill out the permit application and pay $35 for the permit.

Methuen Police Chief Bruce A. MacDougall said the physician's letter helps police rule out "unsuitable" people from acquiring a gun license. He also said the physician would not be held responsible if the person became unfit to own a gun at a later date".
http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/20020129/FP_001.htm">More...


A few links that might be helpful.

http://goal.org

http://www.packing.org/state/news.jsp/massachusetts

http://www.masschiefs.org/hottopics/hot_fire_artic.html

http://www.masschiefs.org/hottopics/hot_fire_train.html

[JayS]

3. This should be good for the Kerry campaign down here....not. n/t

n/t

[Romulus]

4. bummer

I predicted that you might have a problem with the Mass "maybe issue" :eyes: system, but I may not have been the only one to do so.

I now live in MD where the state police run a similar "maybe issue" system. Here, nobody knows, or is legally able to find out, what criteria the state police use for issuing unrestricted permits; all application files are deemed "investigative materials" not subject to disclosure per the public records act.

The restrictions imposed on CCW holders are similar to what you describe in Mass (only to deposit money, etc.)

From the information that the state police do release, the overwhelming majority of MD's supposed 34,000 active CCW permits are issued to active and retired law enforcement (2024-corrections ofcrs, 7191-retired police, 1344-"special police", 1559-policemen), with another large chunk given to security guards (7072). That leaves 492 for "personal protection/death threat" in a state of 6+ million in the top 10 of violent crime states. (CCW stats taken from http://www.chesapeake.net/~mcfadden/ccw/).

The reason I say "supposed" is that the police claim 34000 active permtis, but only a few thousand renewals per year. This makes no sense because the MD CCW permits are only good for two or three years.

The good news is that, under this sytem, everyone in MD is screwed equally. The bad news for you is that, in Mass and CA, the local fiefdoms determine who gets a statewide permit. You can literally live across the street from someone and be denied outright, while that neighbor may be approved outright.

Sorry to hear of your situation, but at least you don't have to unload and lock in the trunck when you go to the range (as I have to do here in MD).

Meanwhile, with my VA and FL permits, I can legally CCW in every state surrrounding MD. :eyes:

[mosin]

5. VA non-resident permit?

Did you just move to MD from VA? I ask, because VA doesn't currently have non-resident permits. The new VA law allowing non-resident permits goes into effect in two days (07/01/04).

[Romulus]

7. yup - moved last summer

My VA CCW permit was issued by the Circuit Court of Williamsburg/James City County back in December 1999 when I lived in James City County.

I emailed the state police about what happened when I moved out of state, and was informed that the VA law is silent on what happens when you move out of state, and that the state police consider the CCW permit valid until it expires.

For me, the expiration will come this December. The fun part will be getting my VA non-resident application's fingerprints here in MD and grinning as I explain to the (rumored) anti-gun-owner Montgomery County LEO's what the prints are to be used for. :evilgrin:

(I say "rumored" anti-gun-owner because the Montgomery County FOP, along with EVERY MD FOP lodge, opposed the so-called MD-AWB while supporting/staying neutral on this year's fair-issue CCW bill)

[-..__...]

6. How can that be?

...in the top 10 of violent crime states.

According to the Brady Center, MD has an A- on their report card.

http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/state/viewstate.php?st=md

[Fescue4u]

8. Whats the problem? Just become famous or a millionaire

or payoff the corrupt politician in charge.

This is the system that has been place for thousands of years in facist countrys everywhere.