MALDENQB02
NES Member
So I just renewed my LTC. This had to have been one of the easiest processes of anything I have done in my life, government related.
So lets backtrack 5 years. I am new to guns, just opened the Pandora's box of attempting to be a gun owner in Massachusetts. I took my safety course and dropped everything off in Medford PD. didn't hear anything after about a month so I went down to inquire. I was told the license guy was on vacation to come back next week. after about 3 more in person visits and multiple phone calls, I get an email with my "appointment." So I go take a picture, do my fingerprints, the whole nine yards... I asked if I needed to talk to the chief (after consulting NES, I figured this was the case). "nope. license will be ready in a 'few weeks'" this appointment was about two months after initially dropping off my application.
After about 4 weeks, I started calling and inquiring. I would call every Monday and every time I would get the same answer "not yet, try back next week." I almost gave up. I didn't call one week, and that Friday night I got a call saying my license was ready to be picked up. I went the next morning and the guy wasn't there!! he made a special trip THE NEXT DAY (Sunday) just to get me my license. I remember it specifically because I was pissed there wasn't a gun store open on Sunday... the worst part is he told me that it has been sitting in his files for "a few weeks."
so now I have my license I am having fun buying some things... a few months later I get a call from the PD "I need you to come by when you get a chance. the officer who used to handle firearms passed away. He mistakenly gave you no restrictions. we need to add sporting restrictions" (some may remember that thread).
Now fast forward to 2016. I buy a house in Leominster. My LTC is going to be expiring soon, and according to the experts here, I should go to renew 4-6 months prior to expiration because of the "state's backlog."
I call Leominster PD, press the number for firearms and a lovely lady answers. I tell her my license is about to expire. she says come down this evening after I got out of work. went down, paperwork took about 20 minutes. had a really nice conversation. she told me it would take about 8-10 weeks because there was a slight backup. but she said she will call me when it comes in. This was the second week of January. last week I get a phone call "sir, your LTC is ready. I will leave it with the front desk. give them your name and DOB and you will be all set.
didn't have to call, didn't have to jump through hoops. same day appointment... amazing. The lady was not a police officer. just a city employee. she explained how the police department and the chief didn't not believe in restrictions and we had a conversation pertaining to the point of applying for a license "to carry" if you cant carry.
I only lived in this town for a few months but I already love it. maybe its just the fact that I grew up in the city all my life that I have such an appreciation for the polite people out here or what but I promise you I am never moving back within the greater Boston Area.
So lets backtrack 5 years. I am new to guns, just opened the Pandora's box of attempting to be a gun owner in Massachusetts. I took my safety course and dropped everything off in Medford PD. didn't hear anything after about a month so I went down to inquire. I was told the license guy was on vacation to come back next week. after about 3 more in person visits and multiple phone calls, I get an email with my "appointment." So I go take a picture, do my fingerprints, the whole nine yards... I asked if I needed to talk to the chief (after consulting NES, I figured this was the case). "nope. license will be ready in a 'few weeks'" this appointment was about two months after initially dropping off my application.
After about 4 weeks, I started calling and inquiring. I would call every Monday and every time I would get the same answer "not yet, try back next week." I almost gave up. I didn't call one week, and that Friday night I got a call saying my license was ready to be picked up. I went the next morning and the guy wasn't there!! he made a special trip THE NEXT DAY (Sunday) just to get me my license. I remember it specifically because I was pissed there wasn't a gun store open on Sunday... the worst part is he told me that it has been sitting in his files for "a few weeks."
so now I have my license I am having fun buying some things... a few months later I get a call from the PD "I need you to come by when you get a chance. the officer who used to handle firearms passed away. He mistakenly gave you no restrictions. we need to add sporting restrictions" (some may remember that thread).
Now fast forward to 2016. I buy a house in Leominster. My LTC is going to be expiring soon, and according to the experts here, I should go to renew 4-6 months prior to expiration because of the "state's backlog."
I call Leominster PD, press the number for firearms and a lovely lady answers. I tell her my license is about to expire. she says come down this evening after I got out of work. went down, paperwork took about 20 minutes. had a really nice conversation. she told me it would take about 8-10 weeks because there was a slight backup. but she said she will call me when it comes in. This was the second week of January. last week I get a phone call "sir, your LTC is ready. I will leave it with the front desk. give them your name and DOB and you will be all set.
didn't have to call, didn't have to jump through hoops. same day appointment... amazing. The lady was not a police officer. just a city employee. she explained how the police department and the chief didn't not believe in restrictions and we had a conversation pertaining to the point of applying for a license "to carry" if you cant carry.
I only lived in this town for a few months but I already love it. maybe its just the fact that I grew up in the city all my life that I have such an appreciation for the polite people out here or what but I promise you I am never moving back within the greater Boston Area.