From: cdt@sw.stratus.com (C. D. Tavares)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns
Subject: Re: Yet further tripe from Richard Reeves
Date: 16 Oct 92 18:10:21 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc.

In article <1992Oct14.014144.20348@guinness.idbsu.edu>, betz@gozer.idbsu.edu (Andrew Betz) writes:
> In article <7187@transfer.stratus.com> cdt@sw.stratus.com (C. D. Tavares) writes:
> >A Massachusetts resident needs a certificate from the police to buy
> >a gun and must go through an identification and investigation process.
> >For a handgun (not a long gun) the citizen must demonstrate need and
> >reason for gun ownership -- and in many cities and towns, self-defense
> >is not an acceptable reason.  The penalty for illegal possession of a
> >handgun is one year in prison.
> >
> is this really true?  you have to cite a reason to want a gun?
> "to exercise my second amendment rights" doesn't count, i take it?
> sounds like mass. is turning into another sarah brady utopia a la
> NYC, chicago, detroit, and D.C.

The following is excerpted from the license application packet of
the town of Northborough MA.  In MA, licenses are issued at the total
discretion of the chief.  I understand that I have the good fortune
to have one of the most hard-assed chiefs in the state.

[Note:  Due to strange Massachusetts definitions, "firearms" below 
actually means handguns.  It excludes rifles with > 16" barrels, and
shotguns with > 18" barrels.  None of this crap is necessary to buy
a typical rifle or shotgun.  But the "license to carry" IS necessary
even to BUY a handgun commercially.]

"4. The determination of whether a person is suitable to possess a
firearm will be made on the facts of the particular application.  
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following persons are considered to
be unsuitable to carry a firearm under GL chapter 140, S 131 and shall
be denied a license:

"(A) anyone who is now receiving or has in the past ten years received
psychiatric or psychological counseling treatment or care, or has been 
treated for, or has been confined in an institution for any mental
illness, emotional disturbance, drug use, or excessive use of alcohol,
except that a license may be granted if the applicant demonstrates that
such current or prior emotional or psychological problem, as described
above, will not make the applicant an unsuitable person to be issued a
firearms license.

"(B) Anyone who has failed to demonstrate that he has good reason to
fear for his person or property and that a firearm is necessary to 
protect the same, except that a license may be granted solely for use
in target practice in accordance with paragraph 5 below.

"5. The following will be considered proper purposes for carrying a
firearm under GL Chapter 140, S131:

"(A) To protect against injury to person or property, provided that the
applicant demonstrates he or she has good reason to fear injury to his
or her person or property and that a firearm is necessary to protect the
same.  The following persons shall be deemed to have good reason to fear
for his person or property:

"(i) Persons employed as special police officers, security officers,
guards, detectives, or investigators.  A letter from the employer must
be attached showing that possession of a firearm is necessary.  This 
class of license will be restricted to the employment and in traveling
to and from it.  The licensee must notify the licensing authority upon
termination of such employment and the license will be void forthwith.

"(ii) Business proprietors, professional persons or their employers who
are responsible for large sums of money for payrolls of bank deposits 
or for the transportation of very valuable merchandise in their business.
Documentary proof of such responsibility must be offered by the applicant
showing good reason to fear injury to his or her person or property.
This class of license will be restricted to those periods of time during
which the licensee is responsible for the protection of the large sums
of money or valuable merchandise.  The licensee must notify the 
licensing authority upon termination of such employment and the license
will be void forthwith.

"(B) To use in target practice, provided that the applicant has
submitted written verification of his or her membership in and 
attendance at a bona fide gun club and of his or her training in the
care and use of a firearm.  This class of license will be restricted
to such target shooting and in traveling to and from the licensee's
home and the range."

Now, note the following:

1. The burden of proof is on the applicant (4B).  "Do you NEED a gun?"

2. The phrase "injury to person or property" is bullshit.  It actually
   boils down to "injury to property."

  a. You can protect "person or property" ONLY WHEN ON THE JOB.  No
     job-related purposes, no license.
  
  b. Your "person" is deemed to be in jeopardy only if you regularly
     have PROPERTY to protect.  The implication here is that someone
     is likely to harm you to get at your goods, but for no other
     reason.

In our company, we had a legendary salesman from San Francisco who
had a stock answer when asked why most of our line of crash-proof
computers were bought by places like stock markets, brokerages, and
banks, and relatively few by hospitals:  "Because your life ain't 
worth shit, but your money -- now that's important."
-- 

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OR cdt@vos.stratus.com        write today for my special Investors' Packet...
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns