Protection for a price: Women discouraged by fees, wait for FID cards

The Daily News Transcript (Massachusetts) ^ | August 28, 2003 | Erin Walsh

[Living Free in NH]

New fees, tacked onto an already lengthy waiting period for firearms permits, are putting a roadblock in front of frightened women seeking a non-lethal way to defend themselves, some officials say.

An employee at AAA Police Supply in Dedham, which sells firearms and defense aerosols such as pepper spray, says the long waiting list to obtain the firearms identification card to carry pepper spray, coupled with the new $100 fee, is discouraging many women caught up in an abusive relationship or worried about a stalker.

"I've had women crying in my store because they were under the impression their FID card was good forever and they need protection immediately from an abusive boyfriend or husband," said the employee who asked to be not identified.

The employee spoke of one result following the state's 1998 Gun Control Act, which made it impossible for anyone in Massachusetts to own a weapon -- including non-lethal pepper spray -- without first obtaining an FID card.

The FID card cost $25 until earlier this year when the registration fee jumped to $100. Those seeking pepper spray must apply for the FID permit through local police departments, which in turn run a fingerprint check that is sent to state police for approval.

Much like that of a handgun permit, the process can take more than a month.

"We had two women call today looking for chemical propellants. Both were turned off by the $100 fee," said Dedham Police Sgt. Michael D'entremont Wednesday.

D'entremont said one of the callers was a young woman off to college this month who wanted the chemical spray for peace of mind while on campus.

Citing last year's sexual assaults in Boston's North End and the current serial rapist on the loose in MetroWest, D'entremont says his department has seen a spike in FID card requests.

Walpole Police Lt. Scott Bushway said his department typically sees a few more applications pass through with students off to college.

State Rep. Stephen P. LeDuc, D-Marlborough, recently filed a bill that would limit turnaround time for a restricted firearm identification card to 72 hours, while waiving a fee altogether.

"My concern is we're equating pepper spray with firearms," said LeDuc. "It's an inequity that should be addressed and corrected."

LeDuc said the bill seeks to reclassify the application process to include a separate permit for pepper spray.

"We're expecting a great amount of legislators to back us and police organizations to support us in this effort," he said.

The AAA Police Supply employee said making the permit process to obtain pepper spray more difficult does not serve the purpose of reducing crime.

"The sinister part of it is that it's purely taxation purposes," he said. "This rapist on the loose could rape another woman who was unable to protect herself because she didn't have the means."

[toddst]

What caliber cane?

Interesting you should ask this question. I have seen several chambered for a 20 gauge shotgun shell, with trigger near the "holding" end. Now, I have no idea who has these "guns" or where they might be. No idea whatever. Saw them far, far away and long, long ago, of course.

[dixierat22]

You can laugh, but in the Netherlands the government is trying to ban baseball bats...

These folks made there beds with their votes. They can sleep in them now.

[MediaMole]

IMHO, keeping a gun in a purse is a great way to arm an unarmed mugger. There are far better ways to carry concealed.

[King Prout]

dude, it's coming.

[King Prout]

yes indeedy.
"Reap What Ye Hath Sown" on a placard would be a good start.

[El Gato]

I have seen several chambered for a 20 gauge shotgun shell,

Now that would make a mugger's day! His last one hopefully. Is this theoretical device like a "bang stick", with the chamber and a short barrell at the end, or does the barrel run the length of the "cane"?

[El Gato]

in the 'hood in New Jersey it isn't uncommon for the 35 year old family man to carry a cane with him

One like this perhaps?

[DBrow]

General Question:

So a permit costs $100 and takes months to get, and they fingerprint you and photograph you (prebooking).

What is the penalty for carrying chemical spray without the valuable permit?

How much does a carry lic cost?

[PhilDragoo]

Use a six-iron--on this guy.

Gals, carry what DiFi carries:

[stylisz]

You should check your facts before you post something like this.

First, Westborough is one of the more conservative towns in Massachusetts, and has been pretty reliably Republican (in an overwhelmingly Democrat state) over the years. Gore did win, but only by a few percent; hardly 90-10.

Second, the Westborough Police Department have been conducting Self Defense courses for weeks, including providing officers who act as "targets" for women to practice kicks, punches and other defense techniques. The pictures have been in all the papers.

Third, working with the Mass. State Police, the Westborough PD have expedited the process for women to get permits for pepper spray/mace.

Last, Westboroough is one of the easiest towns in Massachusetts to get a firearms permit in. In fact, at least one of the Selectmen has a license to carry.

Please check your facts before posting...

[pabianice]

Your beef is with the newspaper, not me.

[DBrow]

I read the article and if I am not mistaken, it does not mention Westboro at all.

Since this is Massachusetts, each police chief sets the rules as to who gets any permit- mace, fid, ltc- at all, at his sole discretion. The chief also gets to make up most of the rules, too, as to who gets a permit and who does not.

It is nice that Westboro is expediting the process for the citizens there. How can they hurry up the State Police, who typically spend 60 to 90 days on background checks? This has been the hangup in many towns, even after the applicant spends the $100 for the permit, plus in many cases fees for the fingerprinting and for the picture.

Stylisz, you sound like you are close to Westboro- in their safety briefings, does the PD bring up firearms as an effective defense?

And maybe you know the answer to the Q I posed above- what's the penalty if you get caught packing pepperspray without a proper permit?