Thanks Eddie&Co.:BTW,EDdie,I was the middle sized skinny white guy with the tattoos on his forearms checking out the S&W 625 at somewhere around 12:20-12:30 today. I was dropping more money on a purchase I made a retainer on there yesterday.I wonder who laid off that Chicom SKS w/ the birdcage and the receiver cover scope?I'm not into the aftermarket stuff on SKS's,but that WAS a nice rifle.
Trials and Tribulations of a Massachusetts Handgun Owner
- Thread starter EddieCoyle
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outofbattery
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Something that hasn't been mentioned is that we often end up with decent deals of what we are allowed to buy , as and example the factory refurbed Glocks at Four Seasons.Speaking of which, mine came with a pair of brand new , standard cap mags that Glock claims were made before 1994.Who am I to argue that they're indistinguishable from any current production mag sold elsewhere?
I find it far better as a gun owner here than I did in my previous residence of "gun friendly" North Carolina. I don't have to go to the sheriff's office to file for purchase permits and wait 5 days to pick them up nor am I limited as to how many guns I can buy at any time.I also have yet to see a business with a no weapons sign whereas in NC,they were quite common.If every CLEO would stand by the intent of the law it really wouldn't be that bad at all.It's funny that many gun owners who tend to pride themselves in knowing the facts before spouting off don't realize that MA gun owners in many ways have more freedom to protect themselves,and others, than in states thought to be far,far more gun friendly.You aren't going to find a 30.06 sign in MA.It's far easier to move to a town with a better CLEO than to pack up and move to another state and there are positive things about living here: great schools,good health care,exceptionally safe,much to do.Yes, at times the extreme liberalism is grating and granted, I do live in the most liberal county in the state but even here, getting my LTC was far easier than in NC.
I find it far better as a gun owner here than I did in my previous residence of "gun friendly" North Carolina. I don't have to go to the sheriff's office to file for purchase permits and wait 5 days to pick them up nor am I limited as to how many guns I can buy at any time.I also have yet to see a business with a no weapons sign whereas in NC,they were quite common.If every CLEO would stand by the intent of the law it really wouldn't be that bad at all.It's funny that many gun owners who tend to pride themselves in knowing the facts before spouting off don't realize that MA gun owners in many ways have more freedom to protect themselves,and others, than in states thought to be far,far more gun friendly.You aren't going to find a 30.06 sign in MA.It's far easier to move to a town with a better CLEO than to pack up and move to another state and there are positive things about living here: great schools,good health care,exceptionally safe,much to do.Yes, at times the extreme liberalism is grating and granted, I do live in the most liberal county in the state but even here, getting my LTC was far easier than in NC.
EddieCoyle
Member
Wow. I was the Italian thuggy-looking guy with the Cuban shirt buying .45 ACP rounds there at 1:00.
EddieCoyle
Member
Good point outofbattery
Yeah. Mass is actually a "shall issue" state, but there's a loophole in the law that allows the local CLEO to override it if he has a problem with an applicant. You can see why they'd do this - it prevents the local lunatic Eddie-Haskell-bad-guy-that's-never-been-in-real-trouble-thug from getting a license. Unfortunately, many chiefs abuse the loophole by refusing everybody. They've gotten away with it so far.
Four Seasons is great. Carl runs a good shop. If you haven't already, try the Collector's Gallery in Stoneham too. Also, I can't recommend AG Guns in Lowell highly enough. DA and Greg are the best.
Yeah. Mass is actually a "shall issue" state, but there's a loophole in the law that allows the local CLEO to override it if he has a problem with an applicant. You can see why they'd do this - it prevents the local lunatic Eddie-Haskell-bad-guy-that's-never-been-in-real-trouble-thug from getting a license. Unfortunately, many chiefs abuse the loophole by refusing everybody. They've gotten away with it so far.
Four Seasons is great. Carl runs a good shop. If you haven't already, try the Collector's Gallery in Stoneham too. Also, I can't recommend AG Guns in Lowell highly enough. DA and Greg are the best.
VG
Member
Thanks for bringing this up. I live in Boston and have a CCW and I'm always surprised at people who rant about MA but have to go through a lot more gyrations than we do. Or can't CCW at all.
When I lived in Marblehead they told me, "We have never turned down an application for a CCW," if someone met the legal requirements (resident, not a felon, etc.).
You do have to take a one day safety course, offered by most gun clubs around here for $25-50. But I told my wife I had to take the three day CCW course at Sigarms Academy in NH...
VG
Member
I live in South Boston and have an unrestricted Class A LCF. The process is more involved than in most smaller towns. To have an unrestricted license you have to qualify on a range, similar to what Boston Police have to qualify but easier. All the police I dealt with were friendly and cooperative.Falstaff66 said:
Whether you think that makes sense or not, I must say, that if you can't pass the range qualification you would have to be an extremely poor shot.
I'm told by a prosecutor, a buddie and gun collector, that as a practical matter if you have any kind of LCF they will not bother you, even though your license might contain restrictions. In his opinion those restrictions are CYA for the issuing police department, and are not defensible in court.
Another MA resident with a LTC. I would rather tave the ability to carry concealed than the ability to buy any kind of firearm I want. Of course, both would be preferable, but what can you do? As previous posters have indicated, on that basis, MA is not so bad; many other states are worse.
One other place that we cannot carry is on Federal property--I think, for example, that if you want to go into the Old Ironsides area, you could face a pretty severe penalty for carrying.....
Concernig Mr. Reilly- I don't know who I would vote for for his succcessor. But I would sure want to hear a commitment to stop this stupidity from any candidate that I endorse. And the best way for any candidate to get a contribution from me is to run against that (expletive deleted cause I am new here and don't wanna get thrown off just yet).
One other place that we cannot carry is on Federal property--I think, for example, that if you want to go into the Old Ironsides area, you could face a pretty severe penalty for carrying.....
Concernig Mr. Reilly- I don't know who I would vote for for his succcessor. But I would sure want to hear a commitment to stop this stupidity from any candidate that I endorse. And the best way for any candidate to get a contribution from me is to run against that (expletive deleted cause I am new here and don't wanna get thrown off just yet).
That's a weird list. You can buy Rock Island and Paraordinance .45s, but not Colts, Springfields, Kimbers, etc? Or Hi Powers?
I keep hoping the statement the Attorney General made saying the 2nd Amendment is an individual right will halt this nonsense.
I keep hoping the statement the Attorney General made saying the 2nd Amendment is an individual right will halt this nonsense.
cbsbyte
Member
I live in Western Mass, way west of Springfield. Moreover, all the large cities: Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Northampton, Great Barrington, Pittsfield etc will not issue "All Lawful purposes" or even LTC A. If this does not sound against ones rights then nothing does, to be issued a LTC B or A you have to take an approved firearm safety course, have an extensive background tests, be reviewed by a licensing Law enforcement agent, be finger printed and then photographed. Then all your info will be imputed, the same way as convicted sex offender, into the Criminal History Board. Every time you move, you have to notify the CHB, your former and new Chief of Police of the new address. Yes, we already are treated like criminals. Unfortunately, in a state of about six millions residents, there are according to GOAL, only about 150,000-200,000 licensed gun owners in Mass. As you can see, we are a clear minority with a hostile government, media, law enforcement and most residents. Almost all people I have met outside of shooting sports are not pro 2nd Ad and many are downright hostile to the idea of gun ownership by civilians. I do fear being a gun owner in this state, and I do not advertise the fact I own guns, and do not want my neighbors to know I have guns since they would harass me. I am not of the mind that this state will ever become friendlier to gun owners. In fact, it has become more hostile over the years even with Republican Governors. I am seriously looking at alternative states to live in including moving to either New York or Vermont.
To set the record straight. The State legislature, not the Attorney General passed the 1998 Gun control bill. The new law mandated all handguns must pass State safety tests before being approved to be sold in the state. In 2000 the AG added is own criteria to the law, by saying handguns must past the state test, but also have certain safety features he designed such as a 10lbs trigger pull, warning labels, and internal locks. The bad part about this is he has been very vague on the other requirements he wants. So gun manufactures, such as Glock send their guns to be tested by the state approved test center, then if passed by the testing center the State Police will add them to the approved list because they passed the 1998 Gun control Act requirements. Nevertheless, the AG still has not approved the guns so under his own addition to the law they still cannot be sold in the state. Unfortunately, he rarely does this, and even if he does, he has rescinded his approval as he did with Glock that to this date cannot be sold. In the end many companies, such as Kahr, Kimber, Les Baer, Colt etc will not bother trying to sell their guns in Mass. In addition, imagine this guy wants to be Governor.
In addition, I lived in Southern New England most of my life, except for a stint out west for six years. I do like Massachusetts, it is a beautiful place, and most people are good, hard working and decent folks. At times, the politics can be very aggravating, since few will agree with conservative or even libertarian ideals. An example the past few days the local town hall was flying the UN flag under the American flag. If it was over the US flag that would be a different story. Since deer hunting season has started, there are many diatribes against hunting in the local paper. I don't hunt but many friends do and most do not hunt in Mass anymore except for water fowl because of the lack of good hunting space and the now many No Hunting signs found in the woods.
To set the record straight. The State legislature, not the Attorney General passed the 1998 Gun control bill. The new law mandated all handguns must pass State safety tests before being approved to be sold in the state. In 2000 the AG added is own criteria to the law, by saying handguns must past the state test, but also have certain safety features he designed such as a 10lbs trigger pull, warning labels, and internal locks. The bad part about this is he has been very vague on the other requirements he wants. So gun manufactures, such as Glock send their guns to be tested by the state approved test center, then if passed by the testing center the State Police will add them to the approved list because they passed the 1998 Gun control Act requirements. Nevertheless, the AG still has not approved the guns so under his own addition to the law they still cannot be sold in the state. Unfortunately, he rarely does this, and even if he does, he has rescinded his approval as he did with Glock that to this date cannot be sold. In the end many companies, such as Kahr, Kimber, Les Baer, Colt etc will not bother trying to sell their guns in Mass. In addition, imagine this guy wants to be Governor.
In addition, I lived in Southern New England most of my life, except for a stint out west for six years. I do like Massachusetts, it is a beautiful place, and most people are good, hard working and decent folks. At times, the politics can be very aggravating, since few will agree with conservative or even libertarian ideals. An example the past few days the local town hall was flying the UN flag under the American flag. If it was over the US flag that would be a different story. Since deer hunting season has started, there are many diatribes against hunting in the local paper. I don't hunt but many friends do and most do not hunt in Mass anymore except for water fowl because of the lack of good hunting space and the now many No Hunting signs found in the woods.
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I had an easier time getting my CCW in MA than I didi when I lived in NY. Of course, I lived in Suffolk County, where you have to be a celebrity or something.... In NY, it depends on the county, apparently, just as in MA it depends on the local chief.
I have only lived in MA for 6 years or so, so I don't know if the state is becoming more firearm friendly. I also live in the Boston area, and it seems to me that most people regard firearms as I regard poisonous snakes. It really is somewhat discouraging.
I do wish that some folks would be more specific about Boston-area guns stores. I know of the one in Cambridge, and the one in Stoneham; tha't pretty much it. It is hard for me to find ammunition that I would like, such as Glasers. (I have a sneaking suspicion that they are illegal here as well.) When I found Cheaperthandirt on the web, I was thrilled, and placed a HUGE order, only to have the guy tell me at the end that "no way can he ship to MA". He was really nice, and happy to take the time (on his dime) to explain it to me, but it rankles nonetheless.
Still, like I say, I shouldn't whine. I can carry here legally, and that is better than many places that I know.
I have only lived in MA for 6 years or so, so I don't know if the state is becoming more firearm friendly. I also live in the Boston area, and it seems to me that most people regard firearms as I regard poisonous snakes. It really is somewhat discouraging.
I do wish that some folks would be more specific about Boston-area guns stores. I know of the one in Cambridge, and the one in Stoneham; tha't pretty much it. It is hard for me to find ammunition that I would like, such as Glasers. (I have a sneaking suspicion that they are illegal here as well.) When I found Cheaperthandirt on the web, I was thrilled, and placed a HUGE order, only to have the guy tell me at the end that "no way can he ship to MA". He was really nice, and happy to take the time (on his dime) to explain it to me, but it rankles nonetheless.
Still, like I say, I shouldn't whine. I can carry here legally, and that is better than many places that I know.
EddieCoyle
Member
shaldag said:
Here's four:
AG Guns in Lowell.
Four Seasons in Woburn
The Collector's Gallery is probably the place you know in Stoneham
Blue Northern in Ayer
If you're after anything gun related (except handguns), Kittery Trading Post in Kittery Maine is only about an hour away. They have hundreds of long guns and one of the biggest ammo/supplies inventories in New England. They have handguns too, they just can't sell them to out-of-state residents.
EddieCoyle
Member
Tokugawa said:
Not that I've seen.
outofbattery
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I don't think those have been around for 15 years or so.GOAL auctioned one off a couple years ago.
EddieCoyle
Member
outofbattery said:
Who bought it? Mike Dukakis?
Misinformation
"Mass is actually a "shall issue" state, but there's a loophole in the law that allows the local CLEO to override it if he has a problem with an applicant."
This is definitely NOT true.
FID cards - and ONLY FID cards - are "shall issue" and they have NOTHING to do with handguns. The handgun licensing law, Chapter 140, Section 131, expressly authorizes DISCRETIONARY licensing by the police chief.
The result is 351 different standards and procedures; one for each city and town in the state.
"Mass is actually a "shall issue" state, but there's a loophole in the law that allows the local CLEO to override it if he has a problem with an applicant."
This is definitely NOT true.
FID cards - and ONLY FID cards - are "shall issue" and they have NOTHING to do with handguns. The handgun licensing law, Chapter 140, Section 131, expressly authorizes DISCRETIONARY licensing by the police chief.
The result is 351 different standards and procedures; one for each city and town in the state.
You are in fact,correct. I just re-gained my Class A back in August ,coutesy of the fLRB in Chelsea.This review board was set up under Ch150 in last year to give a partial reform( a baby step!) and to give another venue of appeal to those of us who got shadfted by different cjiefs of Police " interpreting" the law(and our rights out of existence). It took me a fight up and down from district court to the court of appeals between 1999 and 2003-04.And if 150 had not gotten through;I'd STILL be ready to relocate(and still would like to).
EddieCoyle
Member
Gregory, Glad to hear you got it (finally).
My bad on the "shall issue" thing. I misunderstood my local chief. I sat down and talked to him before I got my Class A LTC and he basically told me that unless he had a good reason to refuse it (such as a felony conviction, restraining order, documented drug/alcohol problem) , I'd get it eventually anyway whether he wanted me to get it or not. I took this to mean that Mass was "shall issue".
In spite of the problems you had, I'm glad to hear that the appeals process works. Let's hope that as more and more people use the new law, that the appeals process gets easier as time goes on.
My bad on the "shall issue" thing. I misunderstood my local chief. I sat down and talked to him before I got my Class A LTC and he basically told me that unless he had a good reason to refuse it (such as a felony conviction, restraining order, documented drug/alcohol problem) , I'd get it eventually anyway whether he wanted me to get it or not. I took this to mean that Mass was "shall issue".
In spite of the problems you had, I'm glad to hear that the appeals process works. Let's hope that as more and more people use the new law, that the appeals process gets easier as time goes on.
EddieCoyle
Member
gripper said:
I was in there last week with my boy to buy a brick of .22's. I didn't hang around to notice any new rifles. They were about to close and were starting up a new CCW class that night so things were a bit hectic.
Although I did notice that they still have a used S&W CS45 that I've had my eye on. It's got a "Sold" tag on it. Some guy put a deposit on it and is waiting for his LTC. I half hope that he doesn't get it. They've got a good price on it.
P.S. If it's you that has the deposit on it, I apologize in advance.
EddieCoyle
Member
gripper said:
It's a small carry .45:
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