"Achooo! Sorry, pepper makes me sneeze."
Posted on 08/28/2003 12:10:17 PM PDT by 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."
$100 fee to by a can of Tobasco aerosol? Get a pistol for a couple bills and keep it in your purse. Or if you insist on the spray, come on up to New Hampshire and pick it up no questions asked and no excessive fees.
Well cry me a river!
Hey cupcakes: REAP WHAT YOU SOW!
That all depends on what the meaning of "weapon" is. The situation from this line is that purchase could be outlawed (this is how we acquire ownership of possession).
Is a screwdriver a weapon? What about a steak knife?
I know that to carry a knife in your purse is to carry a conceled weapon which is a separate crime. We are talking about ownership. What items will eventually be put on this goverment list?
Oh this pepper spray? It's much easier to use in the kitchen than a bottle of dry pepper flakes or liquid condiments. It's like cheese whiz.
Meanwhile, genuine criminals will continue to carry weapons because they violate the law as a matter of profession/lifestyle choice.
If you are an adult and it is not a part of your profession (minor league/major league ballplayer) you really don't need one. There's nothing in the Constitution about "Right to carry baseball bats".
If you are a child in school or little league, the appropriate authorities can get the clearance to buy baseball bats (after receiving proper training). You children should join licensed ball leagues (after they have gone through background checks).
Too often we hear about a mob in the street that assault a person who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gangs can kill with a baseball bat (and perps have been as young as 9 years old!!!).
"Achooo! Sorry, pepper makes me sneeze."
Carolyn
"Town Meeting This Week! Learn How to Protect Yourself Against Attackers!"
There is a sign posted in the center of Westborough, MA -- one of the towns being stalked by a serial attacker. Westboro is also a home of lunatic leftism and went for Gore something like 90-10 in 2000.
The sign posts note that there will be a town meeting later this week so people can hear the police and other professionals tell women how to cower in fear before attackers and never resist ('that would make the attacker angry'); how to hide in one's home, lights out and shades drawn; how to beg for mercy; and that most important of all advice, how to dial 9-1-1. What will NOT be discussed is applying for a license to carry firearms or firearms training. The town government in Westboro reportedly does not believe that private citizens should be allowed to own guns.
Nice of our fine legislators to offset the budget deficit on the backs of frightened women!
I wonder what that great thinker, Harrison Ford, thinks of this?
Conversely, if you want off my ping-list, let me know.
And my apologies for any redundant pings.
That's so sad. It's just the number of the Coroner to notify them where to pick up the body.
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