Going to MA - need some advice.

[BlackBearME]

My company is sending me to MA in a month or two for some training. As much as I hate disarming, I'd rather not pass up this training. I've considered getting an LTC, but it's prohibitive for several reasons:
1) Cost. $100 plus the class (I got by here in ME with my hunter safety course - just barely - but it's not going to cut it)
2) Time frame - it's likely they'll send me next month
3) Cost/Benefit ratio. I can't justify the 160-180 bucks for something I'll use maybe 3 times a year, and have to spend $100 to renew yearly.

So, I have to consider other options. The ones I feel best about that I have on hand are collapsible baton and knives. I was considering OC until I found out that that too requires a LTC (Yet another reason I don't like MA). From my preliminary research, it seems that most knives outside of switchblades, ballistic knives, double-edged, etc. are acceptable. This would make most folders OK. I also don't see any restrictions on fixed blades. I could be wrong, and I'd appreciate it if someone would chip in.

My question to those in the know is twofold:
a) Do you see any problems with any of these? I don't really know what is/isn't legal in MA (I do my damnedest to avoid going there if at all possible) or what cops will frown on.
b) If there is anything that you don't recommend bringing, or something that you think would be better than what I've listed above, what would that be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Timthinker]

BlackBear, if you are driving to MA, then take a stout cane with you for that "trick knee". You never know when it can give you trouble. And I am sure a toolbox in your car with a hammer, crowbar and screwdrivers is something you forgot to remove. Finally, you need your baseball bat, baseballs and a glove for those days that knee lets you play with other company employees. I think you get the picture.


Timthinker

 

[El Tejon]

You may want to contact GOAL and see if they can help.

I almost came to my Waterloo in Boston last summer near Boston Commons. The only weapon I had was a pair of Pumas.

 

[Todd A]

I live on the Ct/Mass line and travel into Mass almost daily,better stores there.

The only "weapon" I cary is a knife ,either folder or fixed is OK(not double edged). Someday I might pony up for a LTC. But that $100 per year is rough.

I would leave the ASP at home.Only because of this Mass gem (in bold).

(b) Whoever, except as provided by law, carries on his person, or carries on his person or under his control in a vehicle, any stiletto, dagger or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any mechanism, dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade, or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches, or a slung shot, blowgun, blackjack, metallic knuckles or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the same use with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles, nunchaku, zoobow, also known as klackers or kung fu sticks, or any similar weapon consisting of two sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather, a shuriken or any similar pointed starlike object intended to injure a person when thrown, or any armband, made with leather which has metallic spikes, points or studs or any similar device made from any other substance or a cestus or similar material weighted with metal or other substance and worn on the hand, or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends; or whoever, when arrested upon a warrant for an alleged crime, or when arrested while committing a breach or disturbance of the public peace, is armed with or has on his person, or has on his person or under his control in a vehicle, a billy or other dangerous weapon other than those herein mentioned and those mentioned in paragraph (a) shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two and one-half years nor more than five years in the state prison, or for not less than six months nor more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction, except that, if the court finds that the defendant has not been previously convicted of a felony, he may be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction.

It is possible that a LEO might charge you with breach or disturbing the peace for defending your self with a "billy".

They could do the same for my knife,but it is a small comfort knowing it is not specifically mentioned in their laws. Not to mention I can't have an ASP on me in Ct anyway.