SCOTUS vacates Massachusetts gun law

[GaryS]

Licensing for purchase and mere possession may go away, but not for carry. Which is what I think you mean.

Of course the FRB can always slow walk LTC approvals if they are ordered to. They can also just claim that they are overwhelmed and don't have enough staff.

IIRC, initial and renewal applications are supposed to be processed within 40 days. Of course since the issuing department has to send everything to the FRB who has to process it, print the license, and then send it to the issuing the department there is plenty of room to point to the other agency.

Except for a brief period with an acting chief, my town has always issued unrestricted licenses.

It's a "reasonableness" standard. In other words, would a "reasonable" person in the same circumstances feel in fear of their life.

The licensing system in Mass. was in a bit of flux even before the Bruen case. I think what is happening now is the PD's are sitting back waiting to see how things shake out at the state level. There's a lot of things in play right now and it takes time for them to work their way through the system. I would say that the licensing system is going away but I think it brings in too much money and no one wants to give it up. That will certainly be a big factor in how they respond. We will see.

 

[M29since14]

I fondly remember being about 23 years old and working on a drilling rig in ND about 1974. I had rented an apartment in down town Williston and as it was another guys turn to drive., I went down and stood on the street about 3pm with a Ruger Blackhawk 357 holstered on my hip. Imagine my surprise when the excited, but nice, police officer came along and started asking me questions. Where you going with that gun? Out to a drilling rig. Got a permit? Permit? What do I need a permit for? Where are you from. Montana. Uh huh, while over here in the civilized world you need a permit to pack that around, go put it away until you get one. OK. N Dakota wasn't always as gun friendly as it is now. LOL

It was the same here, in Indiana. Even a young boy walking along with his dog and his .22 rifle (outside of the city limits) was considered suspicious and called for investigation by the gestapo. Ask me how I know. Nowadays it's not a lot different. Even here, a majority of ordinary citizens are afraid of guns and don't like seeing anyone with one. All I can say is good luck to you gun people in Massachusetts. As has been said, I would want to be the "test case."