Open carry in mass

[DavidC77]

imported post

lelo029 wrote:

i have a class a with no restrictions..wats goin on in mass with the open carry?? according to this sited this is a open carry state,but so far i havents seen any body on open carry..i meannn no one!!:question:

Howdy All

I am new to this site and I'm jumping in feet 1st to a hot topic .

Yes I live in Mass, Western Mass. Open Carry is legal in MA.

Now here is were it gets strange, the way the law is writen (and yes before you flame me, I'm trying to find it, MA doe's not make it easy to readtheir laws), but as it states you can open carry anywere put in a public place.

OK you ask "where isn't public" mostly your own land you can carry open, your friends land (I would say here though get writen permission and you my need to be with said friend), your gun club (as long as it is OKwith the cluband the club is not open to the public).

So the short of it unless you are standing outside your house on your land there is not many places in MA that you can Open Carry.

As I said i'm trying to find it, the laws are worded so it is not very easy toread them, let alone understand them unless you are a Lawyer that doe's gun laws. I try not to answer legal questions as I am not up on the laws as some folks are but if I can help I will try to.

On another note (not putting this site down) but we have a very nice forum called Northeastshooters.com http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/forum.php , check it out if you would like to, alot of nice folks there.

See Ya

 

[hopnpop]

imported post

Interesting... I would think that there's got to be more to it than a simple "no public places" statement. That's SO illogical. Now, granted, I know that looking for logic in most legislature can drive someone nuts, but c'mon. I hate the "legalese" language. Why can't legislature be written in plain friggin English? Someone once told me that that is why there are so many lawyers - so they can read the law, interpret it, and explain it to us "normal" folk in a language WE understand. Well, if it was written in plain friggin language to begin with, there's a lesser need for lawyers. I'm sold on that concept, personally. Moving right along...

Keep us posted upon finding anything contrary to the "no public places" clause because that's just absurd.

 

[DavidC77]

Howdy All

OK I did some checking and I am part right. Open Carry is legal in MA, the part about OC not allowed in pubic is a non written commen sence law that we have to deal with in MA.

I comes down to we have so many non gun liking public officals and police chiefs that it makes it very hard to get a LTC in MA and to go around OCing is just asking for trouble more or less.

We do not have it easy in MA, 10 Lb triggers, 10 round Mags, guns have to pass the AG's list and the list go's on.

So in short, yes OC is legal, it's just not smart to do in public at this time.

Hope that helps.

See Ya

 

[Makarov]

A license is required for a privilege not a right

Hello everyone, MA born but live in Ohio. I’m here visiting relatives for the holiday. Its funny how many folks here complain about the politicians, but don’t take the action to get them out of office. It could be most of the populist is located on the Boston side of the state, in either case; Western MA seems more conservative than the rest. In Ohio it is perfectly legal to open carry without a permit, there is no gun registration, you can carry in parks, nature trails etc. It’s not the best but it does work. In addition, all gun laws are regulated at the state level, but some cities are still claim ‘Home Rule’ for regulating firearms locally, so far no luck. Because of the cities ignorance in this matter, many open carriers have been arrested without success. When this occurs, open carriers sue the cities, and press charges against police officers. The Police are usually charged with violation of civil liberties while under colors…this is a misdemeanor in the first degree. As far some people on the site saying use common sense and keep it cancelled, I would say you have surrendered to the tyranny of the state. If other people are frightened by the weapon displayed on your hip, it’s because they have been processed into a social vacuum of misinformation. This requires reeducation, and open carry is one way to accomplish this. If you are scared to open carry, open carry with an empty holster to stir interests in the education process. In my world…open carry does not require a permit. The 2nd amendment is my carry permit. It the highest law of the land; It supersedes all federal firearms laws. It is a natural right from God and the government is supposed to protect not stifle it.

 

[Makarov]

Open Carry in MA

It’s not so much you have to worry about the criminals more than the police. Let’s face it, with police have attitude problems. They wear the badge and the power goes straight to their heads. To help them through this issue, they need to be put in their place by the citizenry. In Ohio we charge the officer with the offense “violation of civil liberties while under colors". This is a misdemeanor in the first degree. That’s what you need in MA to educate the police on this subject. After all they work for us.

 

[rotorhead]

It’s not so much you have to worry about the criminals more than the police. Let’s face it, with police have attitude problems. They wear the badge and the power goes straight to their heads. To help them through this issue, they need to be put in their place by the citizenry. In Ohio we charge the officer with the offense “violation of civil liberties while under colors". This is a misdemeanor in the first degree. That’s what you need in MA to educate the police on this subject. After all they work for us.

No, they work for the state's interest, not ours. We just pay their salaries

 

[MKEgal]

As for the claim that uninformed citizens would "freak out" upon seeing a citizen who is armed, that's simply not true. Here are links to a couple of videos I made while going about my errands.

One is in a bank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKxYSczw_94

One in a supermarket: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMXBaDKUdGg

Two in a home improvement store:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDj0TnKx0UQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPeZS2_RA_Q

Feel free to share the links.


The ONLY thing close to a "freak out" that's ever happened to me was when a couple people in a church I attended called the nonemergency # to ask police if OC is legal.

(That happened after the service, after I'd been there close to 90min, & they told police they'd seen me come in, & saw the gun when I came in, but somehow didn't see that it was a gun - even though it's black, the holster is black, & I was wearing a white shirt & tan pants.)

Nobody at the church was upset, scared, screaming, running, nobody called 911, etc. In short, nobody freaked out. Except the police. The city ended up paying a few thousand dollars for their misdeeds. Doesn't solve the problems they created.

If you're interested, here's the phone call: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz3KCf2l9QI

 

[Makarov]

As a cop you rarely carried off duty! Did you start drinking heavily off duty?

I'm going to make this simple because I was raised in MA but live in Ohio. The people of MA are in a police state. Your constitutional freedom is being violated by politicians and the police. If a police officer detains me in Ohio for open carry, I always charge the officer with "Violation of civil liberties while under colors". This is a misdemeanor in the first degree. Usually they get thrown off the force. That’s what MA citizens need; the freedom and the power to put down the criminals from all sides of the law.

WOW...I can conceal two 45s without an issue. This cop is a BOZO if he cant conceal 1 large weapon. Gee...Gang members do all the time; maybe he needs some training from them. Gosh, He needs to be arrested for stupidity

Lelo,

If it is hard to carry a large weapon concealed, there are two options. First get a smaller weapon that is easier to conceal or two, don't carry.

Even as a cop, I rarely carried off duty. I planned my trips. If I went to a potentially dangerous place, I carried, and did not care if it showed or not. Which brings me to ask again why carry?

 

[rotorhead]

Lelo,

If it is hard to carry a large weapon concealed, there are two options. First get a smaller weapon that is easier to conceal or two, don't carry.

Even as a cop, I rarely carried off duty. I planned my trips. If I went to a potentially dangerous place, I carried, and did not care if it showed or not. Which brings me to ask again why carry?

My issues here would be:

a. Not everyone can simply go out and purchase a smaller weapon at will. Financial matters are big consideration.

b. Not carrying is not an option. It's sometimes a mandate by law depending on location, but certainly not an option I'm comfortable with for several reasons.

c. Planning trips around dangerous areas is all good and well, but as you know from your LEO experiences, bad people simply don't follow our plans. It's impossible to plan even the simplest of movements without factoring in the possibility of a confrontation with someone who could care less where they were when they initiated the attack. It is for these reasons why people carry in the first place.

As much as we would like to enjoy our freedom of movement without the very real risk of an attack against our person or those we love, reality and an abundance of historical data shows us that attacks can and do happen at any time, at any place, and under almost any situation imaginable.

Planning our movements is one way to mitigate these risks, but carrying a weapon is also a way to do so. Admittedly, there are people who seem to carry openly who enjoy a certain level of attention that the action can bring. Some people relish the idea of being stopped so they can then possibly catch an officer on film or audio making a mistake which they can then post on yutube for dramatic affect. However, I would say those people are rare, and that the overwhelming majority of open carriers do so simply as a means of protecting themselves.

We then get into the opinion side- CC or OC. To me, one is just as acceptable as the other in terms of defense and practicality. You bring up a great point later on in this thread, one of cultural and regional differences and perceptions. In this regard, while there may be differences, they should not be the deciding factor when making judgments of law.

If Mrs Smith from Lowell is not used to seeing someone OC and decides to call the police, that is a situation that can be easily handled by simply responding, checking out the person in a manner which does not violate his/ her rights, and ending the discussion once it's determined that no law is being broken. As a plus, how about educating Mrs Smith as to the state laws concerning carrying in the process? Perhaps if she heard it from law enforcement officers she would be less apprehensive at the next incident she observes? It doesn't have to be a long drawn out process. It could consist of something as simple as saying "Mrs Smith, carrying a weapon openly is completely legal in this state. The person has all the required papers and is breaking no laws. There is nothing I can, nor should do about this as he is well within his rights to carry."

Cultural and regional differences are indeed a factor, but at some point the people in those areas learned their current opinions, and are capable of learning differently with the right information available.

Thank you for your service to your community. Your time spent as an LEO can certainly bring a perspective that others cannot to discussions such as these. It can also go a long way to help educate others.

 

[Gunslinger]

Having lived in MA for some time, and having had both a resident and later non-res Pistol Permit, I can clearly say that it depends where you are as to how much freedom you have with a gun. Western MA--and even Norfolk County--where the Patriots play, are gun friendly. Boston and Middlesex Country are gun paranoid. The State cops, who issue non-res permits, are even handed. I had no problem getting mine from them. Having just got out of the Air Force as an officer and combat aviator, I got my first res in Middlesex County from the Sudbury chief of police--reluctantly. My renewal in Norfolk was "pick it up next tuesday." I OC'd when walking my dog in Norfolk, cops drove by and waved. In Middlesex County, I carried concealed because you would get hassled, but released, if you OC'd. While there is nothing to prohibit OC with a Class A PP, again it depends on where. Deerfield probably couldn't care less; Brookline--forget it.

 

[snatale42]

i have a class a with no restrictions..wats goin on in mass with the open carry?? according to this sited this is a open carry state,but so far i havents seen any body on open carry..i meannn no one!!:question:

Without all the opinion your getting as people always do when OC is addressed in MA. It is 100% legal to OC in Mass, you didn't fill out your profile so I don't know where you are which makes it hard to give advice. People DO OC, it's just rare. If your around Boston expect to be surround by cops, in the Central or Western part of the state it's 50/50. You just gotta know how the PD in your area feels about it, not that it matters but it MA it's an issue.

 

[hermannr]

Granted, I live in an OC friendly state, but if I was going to worry about being hasseled, I would definatly have a lawyer on retainer, and I would make sure I got my money back from the PD that does not understand federal and state civil rights laws.

I have carried (mostly OC, in winter I wear a coat, so sometimes it is covered) for over 40 years and have had one, two word conversation with a Sheriff's Deputy about my carry. If you carry peacefully, most people will never notice, and those that do notice will look at your bearing and guess you are a cop...that is assuming they do not know the law, or do not care.

I will bet that if you OC in Boston, and act like you know what you are doing, no one would notice. Criminals do not OC, they want to hid their weapons, not show them.

So, now, why OC? I want any criminal that thinks I may make a good victim to make an informed decision. Does he want to mess with someone that is armed, possibly a cop, or would he like to try some easier target? So far, in over 40 years, this has worked to my advantage as I have never had anyone try to mug or rob me, or anyone I was with. I did have one road rager reach in to try drag me out of my car, but when I turned so he could see I was armed, he all of a sudden had other things to do, elsewhere, very urgent things....The pistol never left it's holster, it didn't need to.

 

[dcmdon]

Without all the opinion your getting as people always do when OC is addressed in MA. It is 100% legal to OC in Mass, you didn't fill out your profile so I don't know where you are which makes it hard to give advice. People DO OC, it's just rare. If your around Boston expect to be surround by cops, in the Central or Western part of the state it's 50/50. You just gotta know how the PD in your area feels about it, not that it matters but it MA it's an issue.

You are failing to take one thing into account. You are entirely beholden to your town's CLEO for your LTC. If you get detained, and not even arrested for OCing, he can yank your LTC and the ONLY(!!!) recourse you have is to take him to court. Where you will lose because MA has a suitability requirement.

Its strange for people to understand but CT is MUCH more free than MA. Not a little, a LOT. This is due in large part to our Board of Firearms Permit Examiners. (BFPE). They are the law of the land when it comes to firearms. The BFPE has publicly stated that OC is legal simply because there is not any law that explicitly prohibits it. (Just like MA) They've also said that OC in and of itself is not breach of peace.

We love the BFPE in CT, they keep everyone else straight.

Don
p.s. I'm moving to Arlilngton MA in April. Looking forward to Cambridge and Boston. Not happy about leaving machine guns and silencers behind in CT. At least we are maintaining our residence in CT, so I'll be able to play with them on weekends.

 

[aspenrebel]

i have a class a with no restrictions..wats goin on in mass with the open carry?? according to this sited this is a open carry state,but so far i havents seen any body on open carry..i meannn no one!!:question:

I have never heard of nor seen "open carry" of a firearm (handgun or long gun) in Mass. Maybe.. a long gun while hunting out in the woods in rural areas. Even with a Class A License to carry a concealed handgun for personal protection, I don't think you can carry it "open". You'll have to check with ALL current Laws and State Court Decisions, and Local Police and Ordinances.
You can buy/order from the State House Book Store (in Boston), a Yellow Booklet about Gun Laws in Massachusetts. Put together in 2000, I think it was. I have a copy over there somewhere. I don't know it by heart, cuz there is so much b.s. in it, and convoluted logic (for lack of a better word). There are so many contradictions, as well as "typos" in the booklet (intentionally I'm sure). But off hand, I don't recall anything about it being legal to "open carry" a handgun in Mass, even if you have a Class A License. But I could be incorrect. I'd have to read thru the Gun Laws Booklet.
To put it simply, if you do open carry a handgun in Mass. you will get stopped and hassled by the cops. Again, unless you are out in a rural wooded area, or on private large tract of land... I can ask my oldest brother, he is more versed than I. I have an email open to him right now.
Ok, I found the Gun Law Booklet. It was $4.35 when I bought it. Oh , I'm sorry, says "Current as of July 1, 2008" not 2000. I wouldn't even know where to begin to look for it, since most of the booklet and laws are about revocation of license and penalties (fine, imprisonment). Not too much on your "rights" or what they actually "let" you do with the License.

I'm reading about Class A License, I don't see anything that says about "open carry". Oh here is something funny. It says "... unless the applicant:............(v) is an alien....".. HA!!! Some Judge, in Mass, a short while ago, just ruled in favor of 2 Legal Resident Aliens, stating that they cannot be denied their right to apply for and obtain a License to carry a firearm. Eventho, here it specifically says not an alien. Unreal!!

I dunno, there is so much to read. You'll need to get this booklet, or all the laws and read them all carefully. Doesn't it say on your Class A License.? All I see is it says "Ch 140 Sec 131 (a) A Class A license shall entitle a holder thereof to purchase, rent, lease, borrow, possess, and carry; (i) firearms, ..........., for all lawful purposes, subject to such restrictions relative to the possession, use or carrying of firearms as the licensing authority deems proper; and (ii) ................."
I don't see where it says anything about "open carry" or "unconcealed" or "concealed". Get the Laws, ask the Chief of Police AND the City Attorney for the town/city you in live, within which issued you your Class A License. Or inquire at the Dept of Public Safety (I think it's called) or the Colonel of the STate Police.. Of course the Chief will tell you what he "thinks" the law is, how he wants it, not what it actually is.

Alot of times it says "under the direct control of such person", i.e. the Class A license holder. Oooo!! here's a section on "Covert Weapons"!!! James Bond stuff, I guess.
But I do believe that you DO NOT need a License to have a "firearm" in your residence or place of business Chapter 269, Sec 10 (a) (1). But... how would you get a gun into your residence or place of business without violating Mass gun laws? If you do not have a License? Cuz, I do believe, ANOTHER Licensed person CANNOT sell, give, loan, transport a gun to you to your residence or business. If they do, they have committed a crime. I do believe.

So this Mass Gun Law Booklet is 65 pages long, typed, 8 1/2 x 11 inches pages. Good Luck!!!

 

[aspenrebel]

While it is not against the law to carry openly in MA, in reality, it does create problems. First, people who don't know you will "freak out" and creates disturbances. Secondly, for what purpose do you wish to carry openly? If you regularly carry a large amount of cash as part of your job, especially during this economy, and you have a LTC, then you have a legal use for the weapon. If it is to impress someone, then what use is it?

A weapon is a tool, which, when used for a legal purpose poses no problem. However, common sense is a valuable asset.

Finally, most people who have an LTC can and usually do carry concealed.

Well that is the whole purpose of a License to Carry a Firearm, a Class A License, is so you can carry a hangun concealed. Otherwise, you'd just get a FID card, Firearms Identification Card.

 

[aspenrebel]

Lelo,

If it is hard to carry a large weapon concealed, there are two options. First get a smaller weapon that is easier to conceal or two, don't carry.

Even as a cop, I rarely carried off duty. I planned my trips. If I went to a potentially dangerous place, I carried, and did not care if it showed or not. Which brings me to ask again why carry?

Which brings me to ask the question, why do you carry, cop? Since in Mass, most cops never even draw their weapon out of their holster during their entire careers. Most barely even know how to shoot it. Many cops in many towns/cities rarely even practice shooting their gun, after they left the academy. I know, I've had family members who were cops. My brother in law was a cop. He kept alot of rubber bands wrapped around the hammer of his revolver. He never practiced shooting, he couldn't shoot for crap. He had never taken it out. So again, I ask, why do you carry a gun, cop? If you never use it? Why not be like police (bobbies) in England, who do not carry guns (uniformed cops that is).? Maybe this guy wants to protect himself from cops who carry guns. Maybe this guy lives in Dudley Square. What business is it of yours "why" he carries a gun or wants to carry a gun? The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides ".. the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand? Mass, requiring a License to carry a firearm, and all the b.s. you have to go through, time, work, effort, expense, etc,e tc... is an "infringement". Someone being Denied a License to carry a firearm, and therefore cannot carry a firearm in Mass, is an "infringement". So, if, then, they or their family members get attacked by those gun wielding criminal punks you cops refuse to do anything about, and he or members of his family get killed BECAUSE he did not have a gun to protect himself, then isn't that an "infringement"? Doesn't that make the State and Police Liable? Oh of course not, you are immune, you wash your hands of it, u had nothing to do with it, that was someone else, you have no liability, you rationalize it all to suit yourself. Yet, he, or his wife or his daughter are dead!!!! Forever!!! cuz he never had a chance to protect them, cuz he (a legal, law abiding citizen) was not allowed to carry a gun to protect them. Yet, criminals, who do not obey the laws, can carry whatever and as many guns as they want, and use them however they want. Why? Cuz the penalty for carrying or using the gun is less than the penalty for the other crimes they are committing. Therefore the gun laws and penalties are moot, and of no consequence to them. After all , IF you have ALL these Gun Laws which are to protect people and which make it illegal to own or carry a gun, then doesn't that mean that NO ONE, not even a Criminal carry any guns? Isn't that true? Isn't that what all these New Mass Gun Laws are suppose to do? When in effect all it has done has been to reduce the number of law abiding citizens who have a License to carry a firearm from some 1.3 to 1.5 million down to something like 225,000 today!!! Yet criminals, gangs, drug gangs, mobs all have guns, all have the same number of guns, all probably have even more guns!! Wow!! California has a lot of Gun Laws too, don't they? and yet Whitey Bulger was captured in Santa Monica with something like 32 guns in the walls of his apt. I guess all those guns laws didn't stop him having guns did it. Just like all the Mass Gun Laws never stopped him from carrying a Machine Gun and machine gunning Brian O'Halloran to death on Northern Boulevard, now did it? The only thing Mass Gun Laws do is to prevent and deny law abiding U.S. Citizens from being able to exercise their constitutional right in order to protect themselves, their family, their loved ones, their home, their neigbors, their community, their county, their state, from all enemies foreign and domestic. All of which is the right, duty, and responsibility of a patriotic american.

 

[aspenrebel]

mrsemman wrote:
Another poster had issues with another part of your post, but I wanted to comment on this one.

Since you are a cop (or former cop), I realize pretty much every situation is potentially dangerous to you. But as a non-cop, whether by profession, or whether you're off duty, isn't it prudent just to avoid potentially dangerous places?

Put another way, why should someone go anywhere while carrying a firearm that he or she wouldn't go if they were unarmed?

Especially for those of us without a background in law enforcement, and even more so for those with little to no training whatsoever, just remember your weapon is a defensive tool for unexpected situations, and it's not a shield of invincibility that protects you from the evils of the world. I would personally recommend that anyone carrying a weapon, openly or concealed, only do so in places where they would feel comfortable unarmed.

Aside from the emotional aspects of shooting someone, there are serious legal (potentially criminal, but definitely civil) consequences. You never want to have to shoot anyone. If you feel like you need a gun where you're going, it's best just to get the hell out of there. I have no actual experience in this matter, it's just a strong opinion.

As a real-world example, at a recent open-carry litter pickup here in Las Vegas, a participant recommended we meet in "the hood" known for it's high crime, heavy drug activity and prostitution. Yes it's legal. Yes it proves a point. But to what end? The voice of reason did take over and this individual changed his mind quickly.

I've read one of your previous posts in which you mentioned that people "freak out" at the sight of OC. Have OC'd here in Vegas, including the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, for 3+ years, I find that's simply not the case. Many OC'ers will agree with this and tell you that people either support you, don't care or don't notice.

Finally, I responded to this point because I feel the mentality you conveyed is worth discussion. On one hand, you suggest people will "freak out" with OC, but on the other hand say you carry in dangerous places in which you don't care whether you print (and thus are known to be armed). I would argue that the last person I would want to "freak out" around me is one of those individuals in one of those dangerous places.

I'm a Martial Artist/Expert and Instructor. As part of martial arts training, there is common sense, emotions, psychology, civics, the law, the environment, awareness, etc. etc.. I teach them.. "The First Rule of Self Defense is: Don't be any place you shouldn't be, at a time you shouldn't be there, with anyone you shouldn't be there with. Be at home, in bed." The old adage your parents use to tell you "nothing good ever happens after 11 pm". To quote Benjamin Franklin "early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise". i.e. Again, Go to bed!!
So the cop's statement of a "potentially dangerous place" irked me a bit too. How do you know what places may be "potentially dangerous" and "when"? A place you perceive as NOT potentially dangerous may become potentially dangerous in an instance, as 20 Hell's Angels come riding in all of a sudden. Then you are without your gun!! Are u that superior that you are perfectly able to determine ahead of time all places and times with are or are not "potentially dangerous"? My assessment is this: We are on Earth, there are two legged creatures all around, therefore there is always potential danger!!!

 

[aspenrebel]

Lelo,

While I agree with your comment regarding the right to carry v. reality. I merely wanted to point out that sometimes one side does not automatically correspond to the other. For example, you are carrying in a reputable neighborhood, where crime is virtually non-existent. You get stopped by the police, because of a complaint by a resident. The sight of your weapon can be intimidating to regular citizens. Especially when you see the shootings at colleges, work places, etc. Are the residents wrong in reporting suspicious behavior?

Common sense dictates that we, the lawful carriers of weapons, do not promote fear and distress in the area, that we travel through. A weapon is a tool. It has a purpose, and that purpose is not to distress lawful citizens.

I really don't even want to touch this one.....but......."the sight of your weapon can be intimidating to regular citizens".. what does that mean? Why? That is simply a manifestation within their own minds which has been pounded into them over their lifetime, over the years, by the liberal left anti gun fanatics. That "guns kill!!!" "Ooooooo!!!" "be afraid.. call the cops,report it,complain".... So the sight of a cops weapon is intimidating to me!!! How about that? Where do I go to complain about that? About an out of control cop with a gun? About a drunken cop with a gun? About a cop high and strung out on drugs with a gun? About a corrupt and criminal cop owned by the mob with a gun? That is intimidating to me, a "regular citizen". Whereas a "regular citizen" with a a gun Is Not intimidating to me.
How is carrying a gun "suspicious behavior"? A US citizen has the constitutional and legal right to carry a gun. The only conclusion I can reach in your argument is that your "regular citizens" simply are not use to seeing guns, seeing anyone carry a gun, being around guns, because they have been sheltered from guns their entire lives and brainwashed that "guns are bad" by the radical anti gun freaks. If they grew up with and around guns, learned how to shoot them, shot them, hunted, carried them, then they - "regular citizens" would not be intimidated by seeing someone with a gun, they would UNDERSTAND. But it is you, the cops, the Mass Legislature, the Politicians, the liberal, radical, left, anti gun, anti constitutional, anti individual rights advocates who have denied "regular citizens" the right and opportunity to "experience" guns, and to NOT be intimidated by them. As that is THEIR objective.

 

[aspenrebel]

Timf,

There are various cultural aspects throughout our great country. In LV, where there is open carry, you find that there is no problem. The Northeast, especially in MA, which is where Lelo asked about carrying, it is quite different. Especially, since MA has an extremely strict gun control law and LTC requirements. Here, the LTC costs $100 to get. Weapons and ammunition sales are strictly monitored. The liberals here freak out if you even talk about guns in their presence, much less wear one.

If you wear a weapon for personal protection, then why would you wear it in a place where you would be comfortable without wearing it? Granted, wearing a pistol in the "ghetto" may seem hazardous, and it is, but if you are there for lawful business, then you would need more personal protection there, than if you are in a comfortable area.

Continual weapons training is essential for everyone, otherwise, having a weapon is merely for "window dressing". Not knowing what to do in critical situations is as dangerous to you as not having a weapon. In fact, being prepared prior to entering any potentially dangerous situation is the most important aspect.

OK cop, I'll give you that last one. I'll agree with you on your last point. As I stated, I am a martial artist, and I train and teach that you need to be aware, u need to train and be ready for any situation, for the unexpected, even in supposedly "safe" places. Continual training is essential. Awareness of your surroundings, environments, people, avenues of escape, weapons to use, are critical. Simply being aware and NOT walking into a dangerous situation can save your life, and can be all that is needed to save your life. Simple common sense, i.e. don't go walking around Roxbury, at 2 am, on a hot summer night, acting drunk, with $100 bills hanging out of your pockets. If you do.. You is dead!!!

 

[aspenrebel]

mrsemman wrote:
No, a person is free to report any behavior he or she feels is suspicious. It is up to "law enforcement" to understand that people disagree, and accurately enforce laws and not opinions.

If I call about the bum on the side of the road soliciting money, police will respond, investigate, and take appropriate action. So long as said bum is not committing any crimes, police will move on to the next thing. I may not like that bum standing there with a sign, but my discomfort does not override his right to stand there.

In response to your reply to me, I understand there is a different between Las Vegas and Massachusetts, but one commonality is that we all have the same basic rights. Although Vegas is more open towards gun rights (and NV even moreso than Vegas), we still have our challenges. Not even 1 year ago, Vegas cops were stopping OC'ers. Official complaints and lobbying efforts have resulted in positive changes within the police department. I suspect the same will be true in Mass. It just takes time.

I know Boston and even some other metro areas in Mass may be larger and more urbanized than Las Vegas, but one undisputed fact is that we have visitors from all over the world coming here every day. Our open-carry get-togethers on the Las Vegas Strip, inside and outside major casinos, has never resulted in a single encounter with police, and to my knowledge, never a single 911 call. There have been isolated events of police interaction with a lone OC'er, but again, to my knowledge, not as a result of a citizen or visitor call.

This is not rural Nevada, where people are used to guns. This is the mixing pot of mixing pots. People from every city, state and country, all witnessing Americans exercising their rights. Proof positive that people do not panic at the mere site of a weapon, responsibly holstered by seemingly responsible adults, acting normally.

I would add that I am being a bit wordy her since I'm passionate about conveying the fact that in my experience, a gun does not automatically mean public panic. Courts in nearly every state have agreed that a lawfully carried firearm is not justification for "disturbance of the peace", "disorderly conduct", or other related criminal charges

OK, first of all, in response to your last statement.. HA!!!...here in Mass, in Boston, the cops will arrest you in a second!!! and make up any of their "fall back" charges to arrest you, i.e. "disturb peace", "d.c." etc.. if u are carrying a gun. They don't care. They have an agenda, they got the memo. They'll "confiscate" your gun, and good luck in getting it back. I have the booklet on Mass Gun Law right here. Most of it is on revocation and penalties. They can take your License to Carry A Firearm away for any reason. I heard of one case, in which the Chief of Police in a town took away, revoked, a guy's License cuz he had too many parking tickets!!. They got the memo from the DNC (Democratic National Committee)..........."get rid of guns"!!!. Here in Mass/Boston IF you have a Class A License to carry a concealed firearm, and you even so much as accidentally show it, i.e. your jacket blows open a bit, and some "regular citizen" (as the W. Brookfield, Mass cop put it) happens to see it, goes into a panic, calls the cops........you will be arrested for "brandishing a firearm" and "threats", and your License will be revoked. period!! So the cops, the liberals, the anti gun freaks have all the "outs", all the "answers" to have it their way.

My nephew lives in Vegas, and he carries all the time. It is my understanding that you can open carry in Vegas, you just can't go into the Casinos or any other private business that states you cannot go into with a gun. He is Licensed up and down the wazoo!! Federal and State (Mass, and whatever NV), he has his own small gun shop and mfg gun parts, and converts weapons, etc.....