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

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

[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?