O Tempora! O Mores!

So, today I began my quest to get a Massachusetts firearms Class A (Large Magazine) Permit. My first discovery is that it's actually illegal to even own pepper spray in Mass without a state-issued permit. Nice. Really nice. Especially with people like these guys in the neighborhood. (Search Waltham if it turns up a blank form.) Plus, I have it on good authority that Waltham is unlikely to give me a Class A LTC unrestricted, meaning while I'll have the right to purchase a handgun, I can't actually carry it loaded anywhere. Now, I downloaded the state application. There are fourteen disqualifying questions, none of which apply to me. However, it turns out individual police departments can set additional requirements at their discretion. (Apparently even getting the Firearms Identification Card, which allows you minimal rights to dangerous weapons like mace and pepper spray is next door to impossible in Brookline. Yes, that would be Brookline, home of State Senator Cynthia Creem, the one who voted against mandatory sentences for child rapists. Well, at least she opposes their driving ice-cream trucks. Ah, JFK's birthplace. Gotta love it, at least if you're a Level 3 sex offender.) I've been told by a State Police instructor that in his experience, Waltham simply won't issue an unrestricted Class A, even in the absence of any disqualifying factors.

I admit, my first reaction to this was "Wow, yet another great reason to move out of this craptastic state, besides punitive taxation, illegal immigrants, filthy uncleaned streets, and way too many know-it-all college kids!" However, I took a deep breath, and e-mailed the nice folks at Mass Firearms School in Mansfield, MA and will be signing up for their course as soon as I get back from Ohio next week.

Also, freedom-loving MA residents, watch this space. We (the folks at Northeastshooters message board) may be planning a gun-rights march and will appreciate all the help we can get.

My other LiveJournal (no, I'm not linking, those who know can figure it out, those who can't don't need to know) was getting not only a bit cluttered with my thoughts, but has too much potential for ugliness on the friendslist.  So, politics (plus some writing stuff and Roman history) is getting moved here. 

Check my friends list.  If you aren't comfortable in that company, stay on my other journal.  You'll be happier there.

Those who may duck by from the Latin communities I joined--I warn you, almost flunked out, but I may be asking for much help in future.