Look, I've been in the gun business long enough to know when a state is actively working to disarm its citizens while pretending to follow the law. Massachusetts is that poster child, and they're finally getting called out in federal court.
The Second Amendment Foundation and Gun Owners' Action League just scored a big win in Lawson v. Campbell. They're challenging Massachusetts' ridiculous nonresident carry permit system, and a federal judge just ruled the lawsuit can move forward. This is huge stuff, folks.
Here's the problem: Massachusetts doesn't recognize ANY other state's carry permits. None. Zip. Zero. While 27 states have gone to permitless carry, Massachusetts is stuck in 1775 – and I mean that literally, since they apparently want to relive the British trying to confiscate weapons from Concord militia.
But it gets worse. If you don't live in Massachusetts and want to legally carry there, good luck. We're talking mandatory state-approved training, sky-high fees, multiple trips to the state, and waiting periods that can stretch over six months just to get a ONE-YEAR permit. Six months! Meanwhile, criminals don't exactly follow the rules, do they?
Now here's what really gets me: think about a domestic violence victim who flees across state lines to escape an abuser. She has a valid carry permit from her home state. She's trained. She's experienced. She's made the personal decision to defend herself. Then she crosses into Massachusetts and – boom – she's suddenly defenseless because the Commonwealth decides she needs to wait half a year for permission to exercise a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.
The threat follows her immediately. Her ability to protect herself doesn't. That's not public safety – that's a setup for tragedy.
The courts need to make Massachusetts answer for this. The Constitution is clear, SCOTUS has ruled repeatedly (Heller, Bruen – take your pick), and yet here we are fighting the same battles we fought 250 years ago. This lawsuit could knock down some serious barriers, not just in Massachusetts but nationwide.
Stay tuned – this one's worth watching.