BlackBear

My company is sending me to MA in a month or two for some training. As much as I hate disarming, I'd rather not pass up this training.
So, I have to consider other option. The ones I feel best about that I have on hand are collapsible baton and knives. I had some OC somewhere though it seems to have walked off , but I can pick some up easily before I leave.

My question to those in the know is twofold:
a) Do you see any problems with any of these? I don't know what is/isn't legal in MA (I do my damnedest to avoid going there if at all possible) or what cops will frown on.
b) If there is anything that you don't recommend bringing, or something that you think would be better than what I've listed above, what would that be?

Thanks in advance.

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MitchellCT

You can apply for a non-resident permit to carry a handgun for MA.

Depending on how soon you are being sent and the turn around time, you may be able to get it before you go.

BlackBear

Yeah, I know I can, and considered it, but I was under the impression that it kind of a PITA, and didn't think it would be worth the money for something I'd only use once or twice.

ETA: It was the training. I squeaked by here in ME with my hunter safety course, but it's not acceptable here anymore, and not acceptable there. So the 60-80 for an acceptable class, plus the 100 for the NR LTC makes it cost-prohibitive for a few trips I might take to MA, especially with a yearly renewal.

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LenS

It can take 1-3 months to get a NR LTC . . . only CHSB can tell you what their "queue time" is currently. Cost is $100 and it is only good for 1 year. You will need a firearms course to get your first one and I've received different answers as to whether or not it can be an NRA certificate vs. MA State Police Certified Trainer certificate only wrt NR LTCs (residents have to get the latter).

You can NOT possess any ammo, OC/Mace or firearms without said LTC unless you are LEO.

Lock-blade knives are generally OK. Boston has it's own stupid rules that I doubt anyone ever pays attention to, but they are more restrictive than the rest of the state. General opinion seems to be that they only apply to people who are residing in Boston, not to folks who are living outside the city and just working/touring/traveling around the city.

ASP/batons are a severely gray area. They CAN be charged under MGL Ch. 269 S. 10 (b)

M.G.L. - Chapter 269, Section 10

BlackBear

Yeah, I've pretty much discounted the LTC route - for the cost and the time limit.
I did come across the restriction on OC/Mace when looking into the LTC, and saw there was a class of LTC just for OC.
Ammo? Really? Wow, reason # 873,398 I don't like MA. From reading that quote, apparently fake plastic nunchaku are not allowed in MA. We're up to 873,399 now. At least they're clamping down on the mall ninjas.

Yeah, I see where they could work a collapsible baton into "billy or other dangerous weapon" though that particular section seems to only apply to when you're arrested for a warrant, or while committing a breach or disturbance of the public peace. Probably better not to risk it.

My hopes look dimmer and dimmer.

ETA: I'm not actually going to Boston, I'm going to Westwood, for whatever difference that makes.
How about fixed blades?

ETAA: I can't see any prohibition on fixed blades. This is interesting though: (from MGL Sec. 269-10(b), as quoted above)
" device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position"
This would make Spyderco Wave Enduras illegal in MA, no?

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LenS

Spyderco should be fine. I carry a Kershaw Leek everywhere. Switchblades are illegal, but not "assisted opening" knives. I was even (foolishly) demoing how quickly the Leek could open in a three-way discussion with our police chief (who is totally anti-2A) and Supt of Public Works one evening at our high school auditorium before Town Meeting began. The chief didn't even blink.

You can draw "unintentional attention" with a visible fixed blade knife.

Westwood is a decent middle-class community. Staying at the Holiday Inn in Dedham or Ramada in Norwood?

BlackBear

The only reason I said the Wave would seem to be illegal is because it allows it to be drawn into a locked position. I'm not concerned about it, I don't own one, it just caught my eye.

I don't intend to wear a fixed blade strapped on anywhere (and couldn't while in class, anyway) but I'm just looking at my options. Looks like it'll probably be a folder. Well, at least now I've got an excuse to buy a good one.

And yeah, I'll be staying at the Holiday Inn in Dedham.

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I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code

Semper Vigilans et Paratus

LenS

I stayed there for a short while when I moved back to MA from CT, some 34 years ago.

Cinemas across the street, and next door is AAA Police Supply. However unless you are LE, don't bother. They no longer sell guns at all and carry nothing that isn't strictly uniforms, supplies or ammo for LE. They can also sometimes be a bit gruff with non-LEOs.

A friend told me that Bamboo (Chinese restaurant inside the HI) has a good buffet. I haven't been in the HI since they remodeled it a few years ago, so it's third hand info. Joe's American Bar & Grill has good food, but pricey. The Château is ~3-4 miles South on Rte. 1 and has very good Italian food.

Fast Cloud

Ted Kennedy behind the wheel...:yu p:

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