[doorgunner69]

Guess I was surprised because I see so many firearm related items that list MA on the "cannot ship to" list. Figured CCW would be non-existant there.

Good to hear parts of the state are sane, no where near Boston I would guess.

[rlmorel]

CCW is legal with a license everywhere. I hate the process of getting a license because you have to go through the Chief of Police of the locality where you live. It is their decision. Some I know are really good.

Some are anti-gun a-holes.

I had to write a letter explaining why I need one. And they gave it to me, which is good, but...I dislike intensely that you are at the mercy of that person's whims and not the codification of licensing by law.

Fortunately, up here, we have some great organizations, the best of which is GOAL (Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts)

They are extremely active in the legislative process, and offer great benefits and training. I have had a membership for years.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

There are two weapons rosters -- in a nutshell, a list of guns that are legal to own and a list of guns that are legal for dealers to sell. But hold on to your hat, the lists are disclaimered as neither necessarily complete or up to date. Additionally, there is a list of "banned features," but having a banned feature doesn't (necessarily) make a gun illegal -- only certain combinations of "banned features," or a certain number of "banned features." Then of course, there is the 10 round limit on mags and sundry other arbitrary laws. Most of these laws are also quite vague, purposefully so, I think, so you have to think twice about what and where you buy. This leads many companies to just set up a blanket policy of not shipping to MA, period, and I can't blame them.

And you're right, the closer you get to Boston, the harder it is to get a concealed carry permit. Worse still, you can't own a handgun without holding a concealed carry permit, and the list of misdemeanors that disqualifies you from getting a permit is pretty comprehensive.

Open carry is theoretically legal, but causing a public disturbance can be grounds for losing your concealed carry permit, and surprise, open carry has been held to be a public disturbance in multiple cases, resulting in the holder losing his/her permit. I haven't yet found a CCW rig that I would be comfortable wearing in summer clothes for fear of printing. I'm thinking about getting a Ruger LC9 for summer carry, but I've never liked tiny guns.