Any interest in an open carry event in Massachusetts?

[Phillip Gain]

I've been kicking around the idea of putting an event together here in Westborough. I'd want to do it right, ie get approval from the local police chief, invite some pro-gun politicians, the press, GOAL, etc. Nothing terribly fancy, just some guys and girls socializing over burgers, dogs, sodas, and pistols in a fairly low-key sort of way.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's interested. If there's enough interest, I'll start moving forward with it. Please email me privately - [email protected]. (But also feel free to add comments here.)

 

[glockcarry]

What is the point in an open carry event?

I have oc'ed before and it doesn't bother me to see or do it, but is there a point in a bunch of people getting together and doing it other than to baffle those who don't support it?

I am not against what you want to do I was just wondering why a oc event why not a gun rights supported event?

 

[Jbrl]

I'm in Somerville and I can't carry unless i'm looking sporty, like I just ran a marathon or am about to hike in this goofy city. (restriction).
Even though another woman was just attacked on my street last week.

 

[Phillip Gain]

What is the point in an open carry event?

I have oc'ed before and it doesn't bother me to see or do it, but is there a point in a bunch of people getting together and doing it other than to baffle those who don't support it?

I am not against what you want to do I was just wondering why a oc event why not a gun rights supported event?

The point of an open carry event is simply to exercise our right. "Because we can." Ideally it draws positive attention to the concept of being a legally armed citizen. You know as well as I do, that most people in this state assume that one is either a cop or criminal for carrying.

And you also ought to be aware that most people are afraid to openly carry in Mass - despite there being no laws prohibiting it - because the FID issuing guidelines are so discretionary. Open carry could be construed as menacing, being irresponsible, etc, leading to a loss of one's FID card and subsequently to a loss of one's firearms.

The idea is to create some awareness, and exercise/preserve our rights.

Besides...it's a good excuse to get outdoors and grill.

 

[Phillip Gain]

I'm in Somerville and I can't carry unless i'm looking sporty, like I just ran a marathon or am about to hike in this goofy city. (restriction).
Even though another woman was just attacked on my street last week.

WTF are you talking about? "Looking sporty?" I don't get it.

 

[glockcarry]

So there is a chance your fire arm coils be taken away and possibly charge with some sort of public menacing and you want people to join you? Sounds like you want to cause a seen more like.

But hey it is your rights so have fun

 

[Jbrl]

Sporting restriction. No carry unless running,hiking cross country skiing. Thats wtf I mean.

 

[tuts40]

How many of the folks here are in the MA area? I'll go, if you pony up a round trip airline ticket, hotel and taxi and don't mind if I only stop by for a sandwich... hehe

 

[Phillip Gain]

So there is a chance your fire arm coils be taken away and possibly charge with some sort of public menacing and you want people to join you? Sounds like you want to cause a seen more like.

But hey it is your rights so have fun

So you obviously didn't read the part about getting approval from local authorities etc? My sense is that the authorities in Westborough are pretty firearm-friendly, since they approved the issue of my unrestricted LTC-A with pretty much no hassle.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Sporting restriction. No carry unless running,hiking cross country skiing. Thats wtf I mean.

Sorry to hear about the sporting restriction. But that's a weird way to interpret it. I would have expected a sporting restriction to mean hunting, competing in shooting events, that sort of thing. Very odd.

 

[Phillip Gain]

How many of the folks here are in the MA area? I'll go, if you pony up a round trip airline ticket, hotel and taxi and don't mind if I only stop by for a sandwich... hehe

As a non-resident, you could not attend, unless you had the appropriate non-resident FID card. Mass requires the FID to purchase or possess.

 

[Jbrl]

Well target practice is included. They say sporting is the best restriction to have, which is pretty telling of the mindset here.

 

[thedub88]

Sorry to hear about the sporting restriction. But that's a weird way to interpret it. I would have expected a sporting restriction to mean hunting, competing in shooting events, that sort of thing. Very odd.

Phill, what you are saying is the target and hunting restriction. This site explains all Mass gun laws and explains the restrictions http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/massachusetts.pdf

 

[Phillip Gain]

TARGET & HUNTING – restricts possession to the purpose of lawful recreational shooting or competition; for use in the lawful pursuit of game animals and birds; for personal protection in the home; and for the purpose of collecting (other than machine guns). Includes travel to and from activity location

SPORTING – restricts possession to the purpose of lawful recreational shooting or competition; for use in the lawful pursuit of game animals and birds; for personal protection in the home; for the purpose of collecting (other than machine guns); and for outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, camping, cross country skiing, or similar activities. Includes travel to and from activity location.

The way this reads, it sounds more like "at the range, in the woods, or on your way to/from" in both cases. I don't think one would be covered for a marathon or urban/suburban hiking. That's what threw me off. (Well, that and the fact that I'm fortunate enough to have no restrictions, so I hadn't looked into the details of what those might be.)

 

[Turkules77]

Well target practice is included. They say sporting is the best restriction to have, which is pretty telling of the mindset here.

I would say "No Restriction" is the best restriction to have.

 

[snatale42]

I've been kicking around the idea of putting an event together here in Westborough. I'd want to do it right, ie get approval from the local police chief, invite some pro-gun politicians, the press, GOAL, etc. Nothing terribly fancy, just some guys and girls socializing over burgers, dogs, sodas, and pistols in a fairly low-key sort of way.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's interested. If there's enough interest, I'll start moving forward with it. Please email me privately - [email protected]. (But also feel free to add comments here.)

Good Move, More and More OC events need to happen in MA, Then OC Dinners at restaurants etc. People need to start being de-sensitized to people OC'ing. It's the fastest way to fix the gun issues. One thing though "Approval from the local police chief" Remember, It's NOT their call. You'll be paying for the detail, and whether they like it or not, it's legal and they can't stop you. If they won't do it than hire the Sheriff's Dept. I don't know about Worcester County but Middlesex has a lot of deputized officers that do that stuff.

 

[Jbrl]

Phil, i'm new here and so please forgive me for being a bit "flip" about my restriction. I DO understand what i've researched about the law. I was only being sort of tongue-in-cheek in my previous post bcuz it pisses me off. The best attitude for me to have right now is that I still have so much to learn anyway.

 

[snatale42]

As a non-resident, you could not attend, unless you had the appropriate non-resident FID card. Mass requires the FID to purchase or possess.

How would FID help with an OC event? He'd need a legit unrestricted Non-Res LTC-A. If there was a live shooting "contest" (which there obviously won't be). He'd be good to come with his out of state permit.

 

[Phillip Gain]

One thing though "Approval from the local police chief" Remember, It's NOT their call. You'll be paying for the detail, and whether they like it or not, it's legal and they can't stop you.

That's a pretty naive and confrontational approach. First off, yes, it is true that there are no laws against open carry. But I guarantee you if the local police get 50 unexpected phone calls about a bunch of guys with guns on their belts out grilling in the local park...they are gonna be PISSED...and the next thing you know, there could be charges like "disturbing the peace" etc. And it's also possible that, since the laws are so subjective, people could lose their LTCs.

I won't pay for a police detail. But I at least want the local police chief to give his "blessing." That way, when the calls from the bedwetters start coming in, the dispatcher is expecting them. Also, the officers won't have to respond to a "multiple suspects with guns" call, and OC'ers are not harrassed.

 

[Phillip Gain]

How would FID help with an OC event? He'd need a legit unrestricted Non-Res LTC-A. If there was a live shooting "contest" (which there obviously won't be). He'd be good to come with his out of state permit.

You're right - "LTC" would be the correct term. I misspoke.