Coming up with a "reason" for CWP in Chelsea, MA

[LabDad]

My daughter just moved to the Boston area, she's in Chelsea, MA. Taking her class tomorrow.
She's finding out that this is not a shall issue area and she'll need to provide a reason for "needing" to carry a firearm. Along with an interview with the police.
Saying "Second Amendment, bitches" probably won't take her too far in that process.

What good reason, or well constructed phrasing would you suggest she use to further her application in that area?
She's a single young woman, concerned about crime and violence and her own safety at home and out in town.
Thanks,
Mike.

 

[AlexanderA]

Whoever is teaching the class should be able to help with this. Is Chelsea a high crime area? Will she have to be walking alone at night?

 

[LabDad]

Whoever is teaching the class should be able to help with this. Is Chelsea a high crime area? Will she have to be walking alone at night?

I'll tell her about that, good idea. Yes, I think the crime level is elevated, and yes, she'll be walking alone to and from mass transit.

 

[CapnMac]

This probably needs to be in General and not Legal.
It will be difficult to cite MA Code to define what constitutes a "good" reason. Particularly as that interpretation is upon a local official.

 

[George P]

She's a single young woman, concerned about crime and violence and her own safety at home and out in town.

That's her response right there; clear, concise, expressing fear for her safety; not derogatory or impolite.

 

[AlexanderA]

That's her response right there; clear, concise, expressing fear for her safety; not derogatory or impolite.

I think, in Massachusetts, they're going to want something more specific, such as documented threats or a pattern of carrying large sums of money, etc. This is typical in "may issue" jurisdictions. Some inchoate fear is not going to be enough.

 

[LabDad]

This probably needs to be in General and not Legal.
It will be difficult to cite MA Code to define what constitutes a "good" reason. Particularly as that interpretation is upon a local official.

I get that and you're probably correct.
What I'm learning is that every municipality sets its own limits on who gets to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
So not really needing the code, just what these different difficult areas like to see for justification for LTC.
She's in Chelsea, according to various sites, this is a difficult area to get a permit.

 

[CapnMac]

That's my--very limited--experience with MA in general. Stoneham is not Marlborough is not Franklin is not Dedham. And I can, at least, quote 780 CMR for where the final authority is the local building official.

I have heard, that certain municipalities are easier, that other are harder (to impossible) to get CHL in. But, that's hearsay, not code.

 

[JTHunter]

Whoever is teaching the class should be able to help with this. Is Chelsea a high crime area? Will she have to be walking alone at night?

While that does sound like a good reason, considering the antipathy towards "self-defense" and especially firearms in Massachusetts in general and Boston in particular (the college even more-so), it is unlikely that this will pass their muster.

 

[pairof44sp]

My daughter just moved to the Boston area, she's in Chelsea, MA. Taking her class tomorrow.
She's finding out that this is not a shall issue area and she'll need to provide a reason for "needing" to carry a firearm. Along with an interview with the police.
Saying "Second Amendment, bitches" probably won't take her too far in that process.

What good reason, or well constructed phrasing would you suggest she use to further her application in that area?
She's a single young woman, concerned about crime and violence and her own safety at home and out in town.
Thanks,
Mike.

Don’t take this as the last word, but the consensus among Suffolk County residents online is that you will not be able to get an unrestricted LTC (ie CCW) unless you are a lawyer or celebrity. The sheriff/PD will approve you for a restricted, no-carry LTC, if anything.

 

[pairof44sp]

My daughter just moved to the Boston area, she's in Chelsea, MA. Taking her class tomorrow.
She's finding out that this is not a shall issue area and she'll need to provide a reason for "needing" to carry a firearm. Along with an interview with the police.
Saying "Second Amendment, bitches" probably won't take her too far in that process.

What good reason, or well constructed phrasing would you suggest she use to further her application in that area?
She's a single young woman, concerned about crime and violence and her own safety at home and out in town.
Thanks,
Mike.

Also, note that the DA there is an anti-gun crusader.

Based on my experience in Los Angeles, legally carrying a gun in a county that does not usually give out CCWs is more dangerous than being unarmed, as the DA will do whatever they can to convict you if you ever draw or shoot your firearm.

That was just my opinion. I would not want my child to go out legally armed in LA County or Suffolk County.

Maybe less-than-lethal options?

 

[DocRock]

It's Maura Healy land, there's no reason she can state that will get her a permit. Unless you have political juice in Beantown, forget it.

 

[Elkins45]

Does MA have reciprocity with any other states? It might be easier to get a permit in another state.

I figure that’s probably unlikely. MA doesn’t recognize my KY permit.

 

[Craig_AR]

Does MA have reciprocity with any other states?

"Massachusetts does not honor any other state permits."
https://handgunlaw.us/states/massachusetts.pdf

The sheriff/PD will approve you for a restricted, no-carry LTC, if anything.

The logic of a "no carry License to Carry" threw me for a loop. Surely, that's not a thing, is it?
Duh, it appears it is a thing. From the page linked above,
Chapter 140: Section 131. Licenses to Carry Firearms; Conditions and Restrictions
"... provided, however, that the licensing authority may impose such restrictions relative to the possession, use or carrying of large capacity rifles and shotguns as it deems proper. ..."

 

[1KPerDay]

I got a license-not-to-carry in Boston in 1998. Took me 6 months and cost $500 (class, qualification at the police range, etc.). I was the first one written in their dusty book when they finally gave in. I just wanted to be legal having a pump shotgun and a .45 in my apartment. The “license to carry” didn’t actually allow concealed carry. Just possession in your home.

crazy taxachusetts....

I bet you a nickel they’ll never give her a concealed carry permit.

 

[Bronco72]

I go to estates sales! Sometime they only want cash; no checks or credit cards! She could say she goes to them and carries large sums of cash when attending them. She would be worried that someone might see her there and plans to rob her.

 

[FFGColorado]

What good reason, or well constructed phrasing would you suggest she use to further her application in that area?

She's a single young woman, concerned about crime and violence and her own safety at home and out in town.

Maybe say that? Just a thought...

 

[jonnyc]

"Is Chelsea a high crime area? Will she have to be walking alone at night?"

Ah.......my home state and land of my forefathers. The above reasons won't count for anything. One state I will never return to to live......don't even like to visit! Maybe...."My occupation is a mugger and a concealed weapon is a requirement for my profession. I am constantly under threat of police and civilians illegally carrying firearms." Might get a chuckle, but I doubt it. Good luck.

 

[12Bravo20]

My Fiancé's mom lived in Lynn, Ma years ago and the only reason she was able to get a CWP was the fact that she managed apartment complexes and handled/carried large amounts of cash at that time. This was in the late 90's/early 2000's. I don't know if there has been any changes in their laws since. Asking the instructor is a good place to start.