Nonresident Massachusetts LTC---have the requirements changed?

[benEzra]

Since I may be traveling to Boston for a bit in the next year or so, I am kicking around the idea of picking up a Massachusetts LTC so that I can legally have an unloaded pistol locked in the trunk, as I'd like to have it with me during other parts of the trip. I would likely not be carrying in MA, but AFAIK I need an LTC even to have an unloaded firearm secured in the vehicle, and the normal FOPA protections don't apply since my destination is Boston.

I had understood that such licenses were not terribly hard for a law-abiding nonresident to get, if you had a CHL in your home state. However, after reading the application for a nonresident LTC on the MA state website (which is quite new, dated December 2010), I am now thoroughly confused, and am thinking perhaps the requirements have changed.

Here's the application I looked at:

http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/chsb/firearms/Non-resident_20100126.pdf

From what I am reading, it looks like I would now have to make an initial trip to Chelsea, MA to appear in person at an arbitrary date as part of the licensing process?

All new and renewal non-resident temporary licenses to carry firearms (LTC) in Massachusetts are issued through the Massachusetts Instant Record Check System (MIRCS). MIRCS is a computer based application used to manage, process and monitor firearms licensing statewide.

To complete the application process, you must appear in person at the following:

Dept. of Criminal Justice Information Services
Firearms Records Bureau
200 Arlington Street
Chelsea, MA 02150

You will receive a notice by mail or email with your scheduled date and time to appear for final LTC processing in Chelsea, MA. Appointments will be scheduled in the order that completed applications are received and are typically scheduled within 60 days from the date of receipt. The FRB recommends that all applicants apply for renewal at least 90 days before their current license expires to allow time for processing.

And I will have to take a firearm safety class that is certified by the commonwealth of Massachusetts, or taught by an instructor recognized by Massachusetts?

Firearms Safety Course: First time applicants must submit a copy of a recent certificate showing completion of a basic firearm safety course given in their home state or in Massachusetts. This course must have been taken with an instructor who is certified by the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police (please ask your instructor prior to taking the course if he is certified in Massachusetts). A certificate issued by the Commonwealth’s Division Fisheries and Wildlife, showing completion of a hunter education course is a valid substitute for the Firearms Safety Certificate. A safety course or certificate is not required if you:

1) are applying for a chemical propellant only license, or

2) held a Massachusetts non-resident LTC or Massachusetts resident LTC on or after June 1, 1998, or

3) are authorized by a competent authority to carry or possess a weapon, and are acting within the scope of your duties. Specifically this applies to any officer, agent or employee of the Commonwealth or any state of the United States; any member of the military or other service of any state or of the United States; and any duly authorized law enforcement officer, agent or employee of any municipality of the Commonwealth. Note that this exemption does not cover the carrying of a weapon while not on duty.

I see this list of approved courses, but am I correct in thinking that I'd have to take it from a MA-certified instructor? (And obviously my NC class no longer qualifies...)

And the "chemical propellant only license" part---I ask here only because I have trouble believing this is actually the case---do you seriously have to obtain a nonresident license to carry a firearm in order to have a pepper spray locked in your trunk? Or does this somehow apply only to certain sprays?

Finally, I see there are Class A and Class B LTC's. If I am reading the rules correctly, a class B restricted LTC would allow me to transport an unloaded S&W 3913 in the trunk (8+1 capacity), but to transport an unloaded S&W 5906 (15+1 or 17+1 capacity) I would need a class A, correct?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[highlander 5]

If you decide to apply for a non resident permit AFAIK they are always issued as Class A but be aware that you are coming to a state that has a copy of the Federal AWB. And yes you need a NR permit to have mace or OC whether you carry it or not. No high cap mags unless they are pre'94. And to boot you cannot buy ammo for your firearms even with a NR permit. if you go to Northeastshooters.com they have all kinds of info that you'll find helpful.

 

[zoom6zoom]

The answers to all your questions are "Yes."
They are making it as difficult as possible for a NR to obtain a permit. The arbitrary interview date is just ridiculous.
I do have a friend in my area who is certified as an instructor for Mass, but have pretty much given up on trying to get the permit. Especially when it also appears that you have to go through the entire process again for renewal. Every year.

 

[benEzra]

Egads.

They are making it as difficult as possible for a NR to obtain a permit. The arbitrary interview date is just ridiculous.

Yeah, that says "means test" to me. It takes quite a lot of disposable income to be able to travel to another state on somebody else's schedule just to check a box on an application. I'd be looking at several hundred dollars in gas and tolls (or airfares), at least two days of missed work, meals, and lodging for a night. Not a problem for the upper middle class and above, but a big problem for me.

I seem to recall there used to be an exception for people who are attending a firearm training class or competition. Is that still the case, or has that been done away with?