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Critics blast Massachusetts city's new 'essay' rule for gun-carry applicants
FoxNews.com ^ | 1-25-2016 | FoxNews.com

Posted on 01/25/2016 12:16:50 PM PST by servo1969

Critics are blasting a Massachusetts city's new law that they claim requires residents applying for a license to carry handguns to write "an essay" and pay upwards of $1,100 for training.

The new laws take effect this week in Lowell, a city of 110,000 that lies 35 miles north of Boston. Pushed by Police Superintendent William Taylor and passed by the City Council, they require applicants for unrestricted handgun licenses to state in writing why they should receive such a license. Taylor, who was unavailable for comment on Monday, has sole discretion for approving or denying the applications.

"It is absurd that people should have to write an essay to the town to explain why they should be able to exercise their constitutional rights," said Jim Wallace, executive director of Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts. "We already have a very strict set of gun laws in the state, but this is way over the top."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: banglist
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"Because I want one."

That's the only damn reason I need.

1 posted on 01/25/2016 12:16:51 PM PST by servo1969
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To: servo1969

“Because I want one.”

I’d give you an A+ for that essay!


2 posted on 01/25/2016 12:19:25 PM PST by DemforBush (Ex-Democrat, and NOT for Jeb. Just so we're *perfectly* clear this time.)
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To: servo1969

the requirements to have a gun should be the same as the requirements to vote.

no id.
no tests.
no registrations.
no tracking.

if it’s good enough to shape the political power of the country, shouldn’t it be enough for personal security?


3 posted on 01/25/2016 12:19:37 PM PST by sten (fighting tyranny never goes out of style)
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To: servo1969

But this doesn’t infringe on the second amendment. /dripping sarcasm


4 posted on 01/25/2016 12:20:27 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Liberals are the Taliban of America, trying to tear down any symbol that they don't like.)
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To: servo1969

Lowell, MA is a dying town of empty shoe manufacturing buildings, and a Police Superintendent that looks and acts like a moron!


5 posted on 01/25/2016 12:20:35 PM PST by vette6387
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To: DemforBush

Because you don’t want me to have one.


6 posted on 01/25/2016 12:20:52 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Liberals are the Taliban of America, trying to tear down any symbol that they don't like.)
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To: sten

Then all those who come out for the Presidential election only should write an essay before beiong allowed to vote or at least have to answer some questions before being allowed to vote.

Course the Dems would be against that seeing as they rely on millions of once a 4 year voter to turn out and get them power.


7 posted on 01/25/2016 12:21:50 PM PST by manc (Marriage =1 man + 1 woman,when they say marriage equality then they should support polygamy)
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To: servo1969
Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

SOURCE: Constitution of the United States of America

8 posted on 01/25/2016 12:25:41 PM PST by ealgeone
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To: servo1969

Lowell is and has been the drug capital of Massivetwoshits for thirty years. This is laughable. No one there can write an essay anyway, they’re too stoned.


9 posted on 01/25/2016 12:29:25 PM PST by jessduntno (The mind of a liberal...deceit, desire for control, greed, contradiction and fueled by hate.)
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To: DemforBush

“and pay upwards of $1,100 for training.”

Gun control by other means. I have nothing against taking a gun safety course. I’ve taken one, in fact. I think it’s a good idea, especially for people new to firearms. But I absolutely oppose *any* sort of government mandate forcing me to take one, for the very reason laid out in this article. It gives the gun grabbers license (no pun intended) to deny people their constitutional rights, by making it prohibitively expensive to exercise them.


10 posted on 01/25/2016 12:30:27 PM PST by DemforBush (Ex-Democrat, and NOT for Jeb. Just so we're *perfectly* clear this time.)
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To: servo1969

And yet it is illegal to check ID’s to vote...


11 posted on 01/25/2016 12:30:49 PM PST by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - they want to die for islam and we want to kill them)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

A+ for that one, too!


12 posted on 01/25/2016 12:31:07 PM PST by DemforBush (Ex-Democrat, and NOT for Jeb. Just so we're *perfectly* clear this time.)
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To: servo1969

Must the essays be written in just English, or is Ebonics acceptable?


13 posted on 01/25/2016 12:37:16 PM PST by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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To: servo1969

I don’t need an essay. A simple quoting of the second amendment should suffice


14 posted on 01/25/2016 12:41:41 PM PST by Organic Panic
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To: DemforBush

Disenfranchises the poor and minorities...


15 posted on 01/25/2016 12:43:52 PM PST by ltc8k6
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To: sten

no id.
no tests.
no registrations.
no tracking

That’s for people who’ve stolen guns.


16 posted on 01/25/2016 12:45:50 PM PST by SkyDancer ("Nobody Said I Was Perfect But Yet Here I Am")
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To: servo1969

Can someone tell me why Smith & Wesson is headquartered in this cesspool?

While the gun market is going crazy and will continue such wouldn’t it be the right time for all the profit laden gun manufacturers get together and refuse to sell, repair or ship parts to any law enforcement authorities into states like California, Illinois and Mass?


17 posted on 01/25/2016 1:04:33 PM PST by Cyman
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To: servo1969
Most MA towns require some explanation for why you should have a gun. When I got my carry permit I simply wrote, "For all lawful purposes."

The cop taking the application said, "good reason."

18 posted on 01/25/2016 1:07:25 PM PST by Wyrd bið ful aræd (Don't Tread On Me)
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To: servo1969

Essays:

“But, all the other Jihadis have one.”

“Superintendent Taylor, last time I was at youre house banging youre wife, she said yu’d be real upset if we wuz caught. I need one fer self-pertection.”

“My machine gun is in the repair shop. I need to carry something smaller until it’s fixed.”

“Homey, ya never know when you might need to pop a cap. Grabbing one from under the dashboard is too slow, man.”

“Open carry is just soo tacky. I can’t find a gun belts that don’t clash with my wardrobe.”


19 posted on 01/25/2016 1:14:23 PM PST by USMCPOP (Father of LCpl. Karl Linn, KIA 1/26/2005 Al Haqlaniyah, Iraq)
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To: servo1969

The Constitution never said anything about paying extortion money for a Right.


20 posted on 01/25/2016 1:17:15 PM PST by PATRIOT1876 (The only crimes that are 100% preventable are those committed by illegal aliens)
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