[cpst12]

Gee I don't know. Yes the laws are strict, but you canget a CCW . I know, Ilive in Mass (unfortunately) and I have a CCW. Just because none of those 300 or so customers chose not to carry a gun, doesn't mean they weren't allowed to. Even though I have a CCW, I rarely carry.

[mvpel]

Did you hear about the police chief of Lowell, Massachusetts complaining that women, in reaction to an at-large serial rapist, who were coming to the station and begging for permission to possess pepper spray were "arming themselves to the teeth," having made that statement with a Sig-Sauer semi-auto high-capacity 9mm handgun strapped to his hip?

Do you think that that particular police chief ever finds adequate "good cause" to issue a CCW to any of the residents of Lowell?

Reading that in the newspaper was the point at which I firmly resolved NEVER to live in the state of Massachusetts.

[TigersEye]

Just because none of those 300 or so customers chose not to carry a gun, doesn't mean they weren't allowed to.

The deterrent effect of firearms ownership and carry is a psychological effect. Where the carrying of arms is relatively unrestricted potential criminals "know" it is more likely that someone else is carrying who will fight back.

"An armed society is a polite society."

In Mass. it may be possible to legally carry but everyone, goblins included, know it is unlikely. The general mentality (known to all,) from the popular press and the gooberment on down, in states like Mass. is the mentality of "victicrat", "surrender monkey" and "sheeple." Obviously not shared by all, as we have many Mass. FReepers, that is the political norm; the "culture de jure."

"Resistance isn't futile; it's gauche."

[Gritty]

I live in Mass (unfortunately) and I have a CCW.

Well as long as you've opened up the subject;

1. Why do you have a CCW? Are you in law enforcement or some special case?

2. Massacusetts is not a "shall issue" state. How easy is it for the average law-abiding citizen to get a permit?

3. How many people do you know have a CCW, other than law enforcement types?

Just because none of those 300 or so customers chose not to carry a gun, doesn't mean they weren't allowed to.

Are most of these customers really "allowed to", or is Joe Citizen with a CCW just a rare exception - somebody to be kept from having a CCW?

P.S. (check out the tag line)

[m1-lightning]

Massachusettes is a "may issue" state. Local law enforcement can restrict whoever they want based on their records.

[IonInsights]

I lived in Massachusetts, just a few miles down to road from that Lowe's. I had a class A CCW that allowed large capacity magazines. I took an NRA course, applied to (and got fingerprinted by) the Police Department, and got my license in about 6 weeks. Simple.