Well as some of you may or may not know, I have recently acquired a class A LTC license in MA. Now there is some discrepency in the law as to how this license actually works. As this is NOT A CCW license, under the law, if there is a restriction placed upon it by the police chief.
Now, here is what the law itself says.
Now, the ten million dollar question is, what exactly does this new law mean? How does one restrict a license and how does one tell if it is restricted?
"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".
Notice also that it mentions restrictions in regaurds to rifles and shotguns, but NOT to handguns.......
Now, how does one tell if their license is restricted? I myself have heard of people who's Class A's have had a big red "Restricted" stamped on their license. Now, this obviously means it is restricted.
I have also seen others with "sporting and target only" under the "reason for issuing" which also seems restrictive.
However, a reason is just a reason and not a restriction, nor a description of what one can do with it. Just an explanation of why they wanted the license.
Thus, my license says "sport and target" under the "reason for issuing license" field. It does not say restricted, nor does it say it is only for sport and target... Now, I would assume that my license is unrestricted under the deffinition of the law giving me the right to carry. What do you think?
Now, here is what the law itself says.
Chapter 140: Section 131 Licenses to carry firearms; Class A and B; conditions and restrictions
[ Text applicable as provided by 1998, 180, Sec. 80.]
Section 131. All licenses to carry firearms shall be designated Class A or Class B, and the issuance and possession of any such license shall be subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
(a) A Class A license shall entitle a holder thereof to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess and carry: (i) firearms, including large capacity firearms, and feeding devices and ammunition therefor, for all lawful purposes, subject to such restrictions relative to the possession, use or carrying of firearms as the licensing authority deems proper; and (ii) rifles and shotguns, including large capacity weapons, and feeding devices and ammunition therefor, for all lawful purposes; 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. A violation of a restriction imposed by the licensing authority under the provisions of this paragraph shall be cause for suspension or revocation and shall, unless otherwise provided, be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000; provided, however, that the provisions of section 10 of chapter 269 shall not apply to such violation.
Now, the ten million dollar question is, what exactly does this new law mean? How does one restrict a license and how does one tell if it is restricted?
"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".
Notice also that it mentions restrictions in regaurds to rifles and shotguns, but NOT to handguns.......
Now, how does one tell if their license is restricted? I myself have heard of people who's Class A's have had a big red "Restricted" stamped on their license. Now, this obviously means it is restricted.
I have also seen others with "sporting and target only" under the "reason for issuing" which also seems restrictive.
However, a reason is just a reason and not a restriction, nor a description of what one can do with it. Just an explanation of why they wanted the license.
Thus, my license says "sport and target" under the "reason for issuing license" field. It does not say restricted, nor does it say it is only for sport and target... Now, I would assume that my license is unrestricted under the deffinition of the law giving me the right to carry. What do you think?