I was somewhat surprised to hear from a Statie recently that the MSP will not give troopers letters to purchase non compliant guns
Having served on a PD (albeit part-time only) for 17 years in a past life, serving under 3 different chiefs, being an active person in town government and personal friends with my first chief, I have a lot more insight on the inner politics than most folks (including most FT LEOs that I have known . . . I could always speak my piece and never worry about my career/pension/chances for advancement). I also am still friends with a high-ranking officer in a very professionally run college PD and sometimes our discussions run around some of the inner machinations at that college campus.
So, based on my personal experiences the above statement does not surprise me in the least.
- NO law requires any such letters. [Some dealers/distributors "may require" such letters, some firearms experts may insist that it is a requirement, but it is NOT required per MGL.]
- If a LEO is allowed to carry the gun off-duty and wishes to do so, he/she meets the law wrt buying a gun that meets the EOPS List but is exempt from the AG's Regs. [There is NO exemption for LEOs in MGLs, but PDs/Agencies can order ANYTHING directly from mfr/distributor for Agency use. It's always been damn near impossible for a LEO to get an Agency to order something for an individual officer's use, have it billed to the Agency, etc. - this is strictly political and financial (since the Agency would have to pay the source directly).]
- LE admins are political animals and hate documenting things that could bite them in the rear with their bosses. the media, or put them under public scrutiny . . . even if said action is perfectly sensible and not illegal.
- The REAL head of MSP is the Secretary of Public Safety, a Patrick appointee who could be gone in a heartbeat if he doesn't toe Patrick's line. These are some of the same folks that are trying to write a CMR that would essentially stop all juniors programs, all matches and disallow any visitors from shooting at any gun club in MA w/o paying for a police detail and a lot of other BS that would cost said club a fortune to implement.