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They just can't leave it alone here in MA!!
License to Carry
Air Date: 08/15/2005
Reported by: Hank Phillippi Ryan
Producer: Mary Schwager
"Lee" is a family man with a good job. He lives on the South Shore - and he's allowed to carry a gun. His firearm's for target practice, but he's legally licensed to carry it concealed -for self defense.
"I want the guarantee I can protect myself and my family," this gunowner says. "If I choose to carry, that's up to me."
In fact, our investigation found more than 194,000 people in Massachusetts - that's one in 25 Bay State adults--has the Class A license that could allow them to carry a concealed firearm. That's equal to one person on each city bus--or 10 moviegoers at a sold out show.
Chief Paul Frazier, President of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, says that he's "sure most residents don't know who has them and who doesn't have them.”
But 7-NEWS obtained town-by-town numbers - and found the percent of adults with those Class A licenses depends on where you live. In Boston and Cambridge - the numbers are fewer than one percent. In Wareham and Millville -- around 9 percent. Rowe and Savoy more than 26 percent. And in Oakham, more than 44 per cent are licensed to carry firearms.
Oakham Police Chief Donald Haapakoski says, “I think people are exercising their right to carry firearms.”
Police say Walter Bishop was licensed - and used his weapon to kill a man in a road rage dispute. Law enforcement confirms William Green was licensed to carry too--he's charged in another road rage shooting.
Officials say that even Massachusetts' extra-tough gun law - which requires criminal background checks and a gun safety course - can't predict the unpredictable.
Chief Frazier says, “Probably 99 per cent of people properly licensed to carry firearms do not commit crimes. So it's a very rare instance.”
State law does give local police chiefs the power to refuse "unsuitable" applicants - those with a history of domestic violence, or substance abuse.
Brooklin Police Captain John O'Leary says, "We have to have the community's safety in mind, as well as the applicants safety."
Some chiefs make licensing even tougher. Braintree requires five letters of recommendation. Brookline a gun proficiency test - and, most controversial - a compelling reason.
Some think the law gives local police chiefs so much power - it makes the rules unfairly inconsistent.
June from Hanover carries her .38 for self-protection. But when gun instructor Lynne Roberts from Norwood wanted a license to carry - for the same reason - her hometown chief said no.
"[The chief] said I didn't prove I needed a firearm," Roberts said. "It's outrageous."
On the other hand, "Lee" fears if he moves to a new town, his license to carry could be revoked.
“Whats been given to me in one town I could lose in another," he worries.
We found the number of those licensed to carry is increasing; police point to increasing fear of terrorism and violence. And Chiefs tell us: they realize every approval could be a life or death decision.
Chief Frazier defends himself, saying, "If something happens that no one is aware of we're left - it's our responsibility to deal with it."
The state is now completing a cutting edge computerized licensing application system, with instant access to criminal records. If you want to know who's carrying a legally concealed firearm - that's not possible. State law keeps that confidential.
(Copyright © 2005 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
License to Carry
Air Date: 08/15/2005
Reported by: Hank Phillippi Ryan
Producer: Mary Schwager
"Lee" is a family man with a good job. He lives on the South Shore - and he's allowed to carry a gun. His firearm's for target practice, but he's legally licensed to carry it concealed -for self defense.
"I want the guarantee I can protect myself and my family," this gunowner says. "If I choose to carry, that's up to me."
In fact, our investigation found more than 194,000 people in Massachusetts - that's one in 25 Bay State adults--has the Class A license that could allow them to carry a concealed firearm. That's equal to one person on each city bus--or 10 moviegoers at a sold out show.
Chief Paul Frazier, President of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, says that he's "sure most residents don't know who has them and who doesn't have them.”
But 7-NEWS obtained town-by-town numbers - and found the percent of adults with those Class A licenses depends on where you live. In Boston and Cambridge - the numbers are fewer than one percent. In Wareham and Millville -- around 9 percent. Rowe and Savoy more than 26 percent. And in Oakham, more than 44 per cent are licensed to carry firearms.
Oakham Police Chief Donald Haapakoski says, “I think people are exercising their right to carry firearms.”
Police say Walter Bishop was licensed - and used his weapon to kill a man in a road rage dispute. Law enforcement confirms William Green was licensed to carry too--he's charged in another road rage shooting.
Officials say that even Massachusetts' extra-tough gun law - which requires criminal background checks and a gun safety course - can't predict the unpredictable.
Chief Frazier says, “Probably 99 per cent of people properly licensed to carry firearms do not commit crimes. So it's a very rare instance.”
State law does give local police chiefs the power to refuse "unsuitable" applicants - those with a history of domestic violence, or substance abuse.
Brooklin Police Captain John O'Leary says, "We have to have the community's safety in mind, as well as the applicants safety."
Some chiefs make licensing even tougher. Braintree requires five letters of recommendation. Brookline a gun proficiency test - and, most controversial - a compelling reason.
Some think the law gives local police chiefs so much power - it makes the rules unfairly inconsistent.
June from Hanover carries her .38 for self-protection. But when gun instructor Lynne Roberts from Norwood wanted a license to carry - for the same reason - her hometown chief said no.
"[The chief] said I didn't prove I needed a firearm," Roberts said. "It's outrageous."
On the other hand, "Lee" fears if he moves to a new town, his license to carry could be revoked.
“Whats been given to me in one town I could lose in another," he worries.
We found the number of those licensed to carry is increasing; police point to increasing fear of terrorism and violence. And Chiefs tell us: they realize every approval could be a life or death decision.
Chief Frazier defends himself, saying, "If something happens that no one is aware of we're left - it's our responsibility to deal with it."
The state is now completing a cutting edge computerized licensing application system, with instant access to criminal records. If you want to know who's carrying a legally concealed firearm - that's not possible. State law keeps that confidential.
(Copyright © 2005 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
