Some things never change...
Complete article @ http://watertown.wickedlocal.com/article/20160317/NEWS/160316291/?Start=1
WATERTOWN
Police chiefs in Massachusetts are allowed to use their judgment when deciding to issue a gun license, and it’s that suitability standard in the law that some have criticized.
“The biggest concern I have about the suitability standard is the lack of guidance the applicant can understand,” said Jason Guida.
Guida, the former director of the Massachusetts Firearms Records Bureau who has also served as counsel to the Firearms Licensing Review Board, isn’t the only Massachusetts attorney who has a problem with the suitability standard in Massachusetts law.
Beyond legal disqualifiers such as drug, domestic violence and weapons convictions, Massachusetts police chiefs are legally authorized to use their discretion when deciding whether or not to issue a gun license.
“Nine out of 10 police chiefs are reasonable,” said Edward George, counsel to the Gun Owners’ Action League of Massachusetts (GOAL), the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association and a practicing attorney for more than 40 years. “However, some chiefs are out of control. They lack common sense (when making decisions about who gets a license).
According to Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn, there were 749 active License to Carry (LTC) licenses in Watertown in 2015, mostly Class A (large-capacity). Only three of those were listed as Class B (non-large-capacity) licenses. Of the 749 LTC active licenses last year, Watertown Police issued 62 LTC new licenses. In January of this year, Lawn said, police issued 30 new LTC licenses.
In Watertown, Lawn said, applicants must set up an appointment with WPD Detetive Jennifer O'Connor. A few things that will get your application immediately rejected are a history of violent crime, a felony conviction or misdemeanor, a weapons or drug offense, time spent in a mental hosptial or past treatment for alchohol or drugs and, a protective order.
Complete article @ http://watertown.wickedlocal.com/article/20160317/NEWS/160316291/?Start=1