Obtaining a Class A in Fitchburg

BCEagleAce

BCEagleAce

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Hello - I'm new to the forum. Last week I did my Class A LTC permit application at the Fitchburg PD. Does anybody know how long the approval usually takes? Also, my background is squeaky clean (never even had a parking ticket), so am I safe to assume that obtaining the Class A will go smoothly?

Finally, I am going to be a new gun owner. I don't necessarily plan to carry concealed, but I will get a gun for home protection. I'd like to potentially join a local gun club or shooting range though to familiarize myself with different firearms, get comfortable with them, etc. Can anybody recommend a local range, and/or someone who does lessons?
 
If you have the money Fitchburg will issue them. I got mine in 4 weeks and my buddy who has a little bit of troublesome history got his in 8. This was all before the guy from Lowell became COP though...
 
Fitchburg

I'm a resident of Fitchburg with an Class A LTC. I belong to Gardner Rod and Pistol Club and Lunenberg Sportsmen Club. Gardner is great as its an indoor range. The bad side is that its lead only.

Lunenberg is great because its an outdoor range with both long and handgun facilities. Both clubs are reasonably priced in membership fees.

35 for Lunenberg
50 for Gardner

The Westminster Police Department has classes instructed by a Joe Picarrelo *sp?? He'll do privates as well, for a fee.
 
Last edited:
Thank you all.

I did my safety course with a Fitchburg cop, and Officer Richards who handles the licensing application processing both seemed to indicate that it would go through easily, and even that they were coming back in 2-3 weeks lately.

I had to pay $100, do the safety course, provide 2 notorized reference letters, a proof of address, and the standard application. I was in and out of the police station in about 20 minutes on Thursday the 22nd when I went in.

As requested, I'll update this post when I hear back.

Another question, I want to buy a handgun for home protection. Any recommendations on make/models and where to buy locally?
 
BCEagleAce said:
Thank you all.

I did my safety course with a Fitchburg cop, and Officer Richards who handles the licensing application processing both seemed to indicate that it would go through easily, and even that they were coming back in 2-3 weeks lately.

I had to pay $100, do the safety course, provide 2 notorized reference letters, a proof of address, and the standard application. I was in and out of the police station in about 20 minutes on Thursday the 22nd when I went in.

As requested, I'll update this post when I hear back.

Another question, I want to buy a handgun for home protection. Any recommendations on make/models and where to buy locally?
Click to expand...

Ruh roh... [popcorn]
That's like asking a Jew, a Catholic, an Atheist and a Protestant to say what god they recommend.... [smile]
If you are not that familiar with handguns, I would say that you should go 9mm and get something new, but cheap that you can learn a lot about the way a gun works. If you can find a place near you to rent, do that first. If not, I would recommend a Beretta 92 FS. It is not a good "carry weapon", is not tacti-cool with rails and other BS, but it is reliable, accurate and will be something you want in your collection if you go the collector route. But if you end up liking something else, then you can sell it and get that. The nice thing about the Beretta 92s are they are cheap new ($550) but resale for mid-high 400s so whichever way you go, you are well covered.
After you get the gun, go to the range. People will let you shoot their stuff, you will figure out what you like, what you don't like and figure out the caliber you like best, etc and you will be far more ready to make the decision about which is best for you. Oh, and ask the dealer to show you how that gun works. On the range is not a terribly good time to learn how the thing works. Good luck.
 
Check out Four Seasons. It's not that close to you, but taking a 45 minute drive to a shop where they'll show you everything and help you explore all your options is worth it for such an important purpose.
 
Shotguns are best for home protection IMHO, a Mossberg 500 or a remington 870 come to mind . A pistol round will blow thru a wall hitting whatever is on the other side, including children sleeping in their beds.

Handguns... A model 60 S&W revolver is a must have.

A Glock is a good choice, unfortunately your choices in MA are somewhat limited if you do dealer sales, and private party 3rd generation Glocks for sale are rare and expensive.

a 1911 (.45 ACP) is a good choice as long as you stay proficient with it

9mm is a good choice, the ammo is cheap enough that you can shoot regularly without breaking the bank. Sigs are great guns if you have the money.
 
Four Seasons is in Woburn, right? I actually work in Waltham so it isn't that far. I'll definitely check them out. Thanks for the recommendation.
 
If you're in Waltham, also consider Law Enforcement Equipment on River St. Nice little shop.

Collectors Gallery in Stoneham is also tops.
 
A gun owner I know suggested that a .45 might be best for because: a) i have larger then average size hands and the grip size will likely fit me best, b) I am definitely "above average" strength which will allow me to handle the recoil of a higher caliber gun more easily, and c) for home protection a .45 with the right type of ammo will have the best stopping power.

Sounds logical to me, but I'm a newb so I don't know... thoughts on this?
 
ANY double-stack will likely fill your hands. A .45 certainly has knock-down power; a 9mm will give you more rounds IF you can get pre-ban mags for it and a .40 will split the difference.

Note also that the classic 1911 can be had in any caliber from .22 LR on up.
 
OK thanks. The instructor I had used the Smith and Wesson 1911 .45 ACP and my hands were plenty big for it. We didn't fire it, so I have no idea on the recoil. I would imagine strenghth factors into the ability to handle it though, right? I can bench press more than 1.5x my body weight, so I suspect I can handle a gun that size. However, if I do ever decide to carry concealed, should I also factor that into the size gun I get?
 
BCEagleAce said:
OK thanks. The instructor I had used the Smith and Wesson 1911 .45 ACP and my hands were plenty big for it. We didn't fire it, so I have no idea on the recoil. I would imagine strenghth factors into the ability to handle it though, right? I can bench press more than 1.5x my body weight, so I suspect I can handle a gun that size. However, if I do ever decide to carry concealed, should I also factor that into the size gun I get?
Click to expand...

When you have to bench press the gun, then your pecs may factor in but normally it is more than strength that makes the difference. I have a female friend who is 110 lbs soaking wet who shot everything I threw at her. .357 Mag SAA, Colt 1911 .45, AK, et al and this was the first time shooting anything... It is about stance, grip, brains.

Yes, size is usually a consideration on carry guns.
 
OK - didn't know if body size and strength would make a bigger gun easier to handle or not.

Has anybody been to the Smith and Wesson factory to do their deal where they let you shoot lots of different guns?
 
BCEagleAce said:
Four Seasons is in Woburn, right? I actually work in Waltham so it isn't that far. I'll definitely check them out. Thanks for the recommendation.
Click to expand...

Also check out Match Shot Firearms in Gardner. (I think its on so broadway street, probably look it up in the phone book) If you go there talk to Lloyd... He'll help you out. The other advantage of buying something there is that generally speaking, he'll give you a lot of tips on how to keep your gun you buy in running condition, eg, how to clean it, etc. IMO he is an excellent resource at helping out newbies... Years ago I followed some of the advice he gave me, and I was able to progress from not being able to hit the broad side of a barn to actually being able to hit a target somewhat reliably, and then some. MS isn't the biggest store, but it is definitely worth a visit. If you want to join Westminster R+G, he can also help you out with that... (local club that doesn't cost a lot)... facilities aren't that spectacular (basically 50 yard range with high berm) but it is cheap and convenient.

-Mike
 
I bought my SW1911 at a show from Match Shot and they were tops. Just a bit far for me to make it out there.

Body size/strength doesn't matter, really. I'm not particularly big or strong, but I can handle just about anything except for EC's 700 grain .500 S&W loads. It's mostly technique and mental.
 
BCEagleAce said:
DRGRANT - do you know anything about the licensing process in Fitchburg? How long it takes, whether they issue ALP class a's, etc.?
Click to expand...

They're still A/ALP even with the new chief- Haven't heard about any policy changes in that regard,
(yet).

Dunno about time for new applicants (not sure my experience is relevant, because my first license with them was pre-MIRCS era) but renewals take a few weeks.

The only bogus requirement is the 2 ref letter thing, but the only do that to new applicants... and if you had yours notarized, this potentially speeds it up a bit as they don't have to call the refs to verify authenticity of the letters.

Anecdotally, Leominster, Fitchburg, and Lunenburg, all seem to have similar requirements for new
applicants, and all seem to issue ALP.

-Mike
 
Good to know. Officer Richards told me that they had to be notorized, so that is what I gave them.

The ALP license basically means you are unrestricted in MA to carry concealed, right? I know that there are exceptions for govt. buildings, banks, etc., but otherwise you are ok to carry I think.

Are there links on concealed carry advice, holsters, etc.? I'm finding this aspect a little confusing.
 
BCEagleAce said:
Hello - I'm new to the forum. Last week I did my Class A LTC permit application at the Fitchburg PD. Does anybody know how long the approval usually takes? Also, my background is squeaky clean (never even had a parking ticket), so am I safe to assume that obtaining the Class A will go smoothly?

Finally, I am going to be a new gun owner. I don't necessarily plan to carry concealed, but I will get a gun for home protection. I'd like to potentially join a local gun club or shooting range though to familiarize myself with different firearms, get comfortable with them, etc. Can anybody recommend a local range, and/or someone who does lessons?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum! Check out this thread.

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=5103

If you go green (become a paid member) you can come to the upcoming shoot check out just about every firearm known to man. (well maybe not "every" but pretty close.)
 
For holsters, etc, post in the equipment forum for advice.

As for ALP, it means you can carry everywhere but schools (primary, secondary, and colleges/universities, plus any other schools) and federal buildings. Other state buildings and private businesses may have their own regulations.
 
drgrant said:
The only bogus requirement is the 2 ref letter thing, but the only do that to new applicants... and if you had yours notarized, this potentially speeds it up a bit as they don't have to call the refs to verify authenticity of the letters.
Click to expand...

Utter crap, especially this new drivel about them being notarized. It's just another obstacle petty LO's place in the way of applicants.
 
Perhaps this isn't the forum for this discussion, but as a real neophyte I can't believe how difficult getting a gun license is given what I thought was our CONSTITUTIONAL right to bear arms!

While I am all for restricting criminals and making sure they don't have guns, how/why is it so complicated and difficult for law abiding citizens to obtain gun permits?!?!?!

When I built my house, I filled out a 10 minute application on the Internet and had a full approval for a mortgage in less than 20 seconds! They ran my credit, background check, etc., and made a decision to give me a large 6 figure loan in a FRACTION of the time needed to get my Class A -- something that I thought was my RIGHT... not a priviledge such as the case of getting a mortgage.

Seriously - is the the United States of America? Have any legislators read the Constitution lately?!?!?!?

I know in a forum like this I'm preaching to the choir, but I really had no idea how nutty gun laws seem to be in this country.
 
BCEagleAce said:
Perhaps this isn't the forum for this discussion, but as a real neophyte I can't believe how difficult getting a gun license is given what I thought was our CONSTITUTIONAL right to bear arms!

While I am all for restricting criminals and making sure they don't have guns, how/why is it so complicated and difficult for law abiding citizens to obtain gun permits?!?!?!

[...]

Seriously - is the the United States of America? Have any legislators read the Constitution lately?!?!?!?

I know in a forum like this I'm preaching to the choir, but I really had no idea how nutty gun laws seem to be in this country.
Click to expand...

You'll fit in perfectly here!
 
Scrivener said:
Utter crap, especially this new drivel about them being notarized. It's just another obstacle petty LO's place in the way of applicants.
Click to expand...

FWIW that requirement is not an absolute- as I stated before, if you don't notarize them, the LO just calls up the people that wrote the letters instead.

I agree it's all bogus... but what are the REAL options of the applicant? Is a guy gonna get into a pissing match with the IA over it- meanwhile, maybe deadlocking the process, on a bad day, or on a good day, lawyering up and paying lots of cash to a lawyer to get the IA to stand down on their requirement.... maybe. In a town where an A/ALP/NONE is basically a given for jumping through that hoop, this is a hard choice to make.

-Mike
 
BCEagleAce said:
While I am all for restricting criminals and making sure they don't have guns, how/why is it so complicated and difficult for law abiding citizens to obtain gun permits?!?!?!
Click to expand...

Because gun laws have ZERO to do with stopping criminals and everything to do with controlling people... it's literally that simple. The powers that be are
intimidated by "joe citizen" being armed because it interferes with their socialist/fascist worldviews.

-Mike
 
I agree completely with the above. If Fitchburg basically hands out an ALP license readily if you go through the motions, I'll go through the motions. HOWEVER, I still can't believe that we could be guranteed a right in the very CONSTITUTION and have to jump through the amount of hoops we do!

What is the argument that gun laws to where they are today? Is anybody really fearful of law abiding citizens being armed? Isn't that what allowed us to win the Revolutionary War? A car has to be 10x more dangerous than the most dangerous gun, statistically speaking...

Is this crazy, or is it me?
 
BCEagleAce said:
I agree completely with the above. If Fitchburg basically hands out an ALP license readily if you go through the motions, I'll go through the motions. HOWEVER, I still can't believe that we could be guranteed a right in the very CONSTITUTION and have to jump through the amount of hoops we do!

What is the argument that gun laws to where they are today? Is anybody really fearful of law abiding citizens being armed? Isn't that what allowed us to win the Revolutionary War? A car has to be 10x more dangerous than the most dangerous gun, statistically speaking...

Is this crazy, or is it me?
Click to expand...

It's not crazy- your assertions are reasonable- If the 2nd amendment
was truly respected by the government, not even a permit or license would
be required- do we have to beg for a license to speak, or practice whatever
religion we choose? No. We shouldn't need a "license" to defend ourselves, either.


-Mike
 

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