Massachusetts City To Require Citizens To Write An Essay Before Obtaining A Handgun License

If you live in Lowell, Massachusetts, want to get your handgun license, suck at writing essays and don’t have $1,100 to spare, I have some bad news for you.

The City Council recently approved a measure which would require those applying for an unrestricted handgun license to submit a personal essay on why they believe they’re entitled have such a license. Police Superintendent William Taylor gets to make the final decision. He gets to decide if your reason is “good enough.”

From Fox News:

“It is absurd that people should have to write an essay to the town to explain why they should be able to exercise their constitutional rights,” said Jim Wallace, executive director of Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts. “We already have a very strict set of gun laws in the state, but this is way over the top.”

State law sets guidelines and requirements, but gives local chiefs of police broad discretion in implementation. While other cities and towns in Massachusetts have tough licensing regulations, Lowell’s new requirements, which also include taking a gun safety course over and above one already required by the state, prompted complaints at a public hearing last week.

“I will never write an essay to get my rights as an American citizen,” resident Dan Gannon told the City Council.

Oh, and applicants will also have to spend up to $1,100 for training classes. Which is completely reasonable. (Except not.)

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