MA Carry Permit

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film495

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Live in NH, and just got a job in MA. I was considering getting a MA permit, but think they make me register what I might carry - so, not sure if I really care to tell any government anything about any firearm I might have for any reason - but, would like to keep one in my car for when I'm going to and from MA.

Is it worth getting the permit? What are the risks associated with having guns registered with a government entity? Then I'm on a list and some day they could come to my door looking to collect.

I guess it is a question of risk management, is the risk of being unarmed when going to MA greater than the risk of having to register - which poses the risk of being permanently unarmed?
 
I looked at the federal firearms protection act, and that from what I understand does not really apply. I would have to lock a gun away from me and inaccessible, which would not really help me if I need it, and really only seems to apply if you are just driving through - not being there 8-10 hours a day.
 
Depending on what kind of job and where it is, may be worth getting a MA permit. I have a few friends who live in Mass who work in LE or military. The rest are in occupations where "no need" for a permit is standard. Mass is a "may issue" state.

Start here: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/12/06/Non-resident Application - REVISED 01.01.18_2.pdf

Massachusetts does have registration and universal background checks.
https://mircs.chs.state.ma.us/fa10/action/home?app_context=home&app_action=presentTrans

FFPO only protects you driving through and "reasonable" stops while driving. Personally when I drive through non friendly states, I don't stop at all unless it is for gas.
 
Live in NH, and just got a job in MA. I was considering getting a MA permit, but think they make me register what I might carry - so, not sure if I really care to tell any government anything about any firearm I might have for any reason - but, would like to keep one in my car for when I'm going to and from MA.

Is it worth getting the permit? What are the risks associated with having guns registered with a government entity? Then I'm on a list and some day they could come to my door looking to collect.

I guess it is a question of risk management, is the risk of being unarmed when going to MA greater than the risk of having to register - which poses the risk of being permanently unarmed?
I guess a lot would also depend on WHERE in MA you're talking about. Not all of MA is teeming with thugs and "misguided youths".

As far as having guns registered with some government agency, just how m,any are you going to register in MA? Having a gun in violation of their laws would be a greater risk if caught then registering A gun for your vehicle.
 
Lowell, MA - but I'd just be commuting to an office building and then commuting back home. I just want to generally keep one available to me. For now I'm just going to go with a pepper spray can in the vehicle. When I used to live down there - they actually considered the sprays to be the same a guns, so - you needed a weapons permit to have it, but I looked it up and they changed that in 2014, so - for now that works.

I think I'd just register the one I'd have in the vehicle, but maybe a couple. Sometimes they need work and are out of service for a while, so - I think I'd likely register 2 pistols. What a hassle though - if I change or get a good deal on something else, then I have to do more government paperwork, ick .. and pay more fees.. ick

It is just a desk/computer job - so, the need would have to be for range use, and/or self defense. Honestly, now that I know I can have the pepper spray - probably is not worth the time and money required to apply for a carry permit there, and possibly get turned down. Guess I'll think about it more.
 
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Just an FYI..

MA does NOT make you register your firearms/rifles/shotguns in order to obtain LTC or FID or to exercise your right to carry (once you have your LTC).
However, if you are in-state MA does record "sales transaction", which is could be construed as a sort of registry.
Also watch your magazine limits.

Todd
 
The ma non resident permit costs $100. And is good for one year only. If the issuing authority will even give you one. Remember We who actually live here have trouble in some towns getting a permit. Your permit is up to the discretion of the police chief or his (generic term, not misogyny) designee. My chief is fairly friendly to the 2 nd Amendment, but that’s somewhat unusual especially in the larger city’s.
 
MA permitting gives most of the discretionary authority to issue one to your local chief of police to determine what sort of restrictions are placed on your LTC. The good news is that most chiefs in the post Heller era automatically grant what is called an "unrestricted" license. This means you are not limited to specific carry situations such as target shooting (allowing you to go to and from a range) and hunting. You can basically carry anywhere you are not otherwise prohibited from in accordance with state and federal laws. Most carry restrictions I know of originate at the federal level and obviously would apply to anyone in any state.

Licenses are further divided into classes, with class A allowing you to purchase and possess "large capacity" (greater than 10 round magazine) firearms. License turn-around time from the time of application to day of issue can vary from 5 weeks to several months, all depending on the backlog at the Department of Public Safety. You will be required to present proof of attending a firearms safety class and have several personal references on your application.

If the Lowell chief of police is 2A friendly (not sure about that one), then you will have no problem getting an unrestricted class A LTC.
 
dude go on northeast shooters and ask about this, or do some searches. Yes it is worth getting, non residents get it through the state police, and you don't have to register guns you carry. You do have to abide by capacity limits and MA laws while carrying in the state though.
 
MA permitting gives most of the discretionary authority to issue one to your local chief of police to determine what sort of restrictions are placed on your LTC. The good news is that most chiefs in the post Heller era automatically grant what is called an "unrestricted" license. This means you are not limited to specific carry situations such as target shooting (allowing you to go to and from a range) and hunting. You can basically carry anywhere you are not otherwise prohibited from in accordance with state and federal laws. Most carry restrictions I know of originate at the federal level and obviously would apply to anyone in any state.

Licenses are further divided into classes, with class A allowing you to purchase and possess "large capacity" (greater than 10 round magazine) firearms. License turn-around time from the time of application to day of issue can vary from 5 weeks to several months, all depending on the backlog at the Department of Public Safety. You will be required to present proof of attending a firearms safety class and have several personal references on your application.

If the Lowell chief of police is 2A friendly (not sure about that one), then you will have no problem getting an unrestricted class A LTC.

This is incorrect. NON resident permits are issued by state police, not through local chiefs.
 
Fear not and get a permit.

I figure my fingerprints and mug shot is on file with at least three Federal Government and two State Government agencies. In addition I frequently write to my State Senators and Representatives on gun legislation and I believe my emails are being stored by Big Brother somewhere. In fact a coworker and I had a discussion once and decided we were not going to come out it alive anyway if the stuff hits the fan with the Government. A friend pays cash and buys his guns from individuals so there is not a paper trail or so he thinks. I pointed out to him that the Post Office most likely has recorded his monthly gun magazines he receives.

So don’t worry about it. A relative, friend or neighbor will rat you out anyway.
 
Some good info and confusing info posted. In order to get a non-resident in MA, you must setup an appointment with the CHB (Criminal History Board) to setup an interview (617-660-4780). The problem is, as many have echoed, MA is a 'may' issue state. I have heard it is extremely difficult to get approved for an unrestricted non-resident LTC (license to carry) without being a business owner or carrying large sums of money.

Btw, be thankful you are meeting with the CHB and not the Lowell licensing officer. At least when I lived there, she was on singular mission to convince people that no regular citizen (besides a cop, obviously) should have the ability to "just carry a gun into a restaurant or store, as they please" (paraphrasing, but pretty close to exact). Unless you are LEO or know someone, Lowell will not issue an unrestricted LTC A (thankfully, they are NOT the ones who are in the position to issue or grant it for a non-resident LTC)

As noted above, the BEST place to get information on this subject is Northeastshooters.com. Here is one such thread: https://www.northeastshooters.com/xen/threads/ma-non-resident-unrestricted-ltc.326970/

The sound advice seems to be, the more specific and realistic you can be about needing an unrestricted, the better your chances.

For example (taken from a separate thread/poster)f:

Do you carry large amounts of cash or valuables for work or other reasons, or transport cash/valuables regularly, etc.?

Does your line of work or past life situations make it necessary to protect yourself?

Does your line of work place you at locations, towns, establishments that might be dangerous?

Does your line of work place you as a sole individual, in a capacity as a night watchman or similar position?

(however, be careful about the work aspect as they can put "work carry only" restrictions
On your NR LTC).

Has someone threatened you or do you have restraining orders on people that have threatened you?

Are you in fear of your life because of ....."fill in the reason" ?
 
I went to HS and college in Mass; when I got my class A LTC, the officer running the safety course advised everyone to write “for all lawful purpose” on the line asking why you need the license.

Although I haven’t lived in Mass in two decades, my permit does state “valid until suspended or revoked.” ...which makes me wonder if it would fly today(?). I’m not going back to find out...
 
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