Sunday, December 20, 2009

A Headline I Didn't Expect...

Gun permits surge in state

The number of gun permits issued in Massachusetts surged by more than 15 percent over the past two years, reversing nearly a decade of steady declines and marking a pronounced departure for a state known for its antigun sentiment.

The magnitude of the rise, evident in nearly every corner of the state, surprised law enforcement officials, and gun advocates and opponents alike.

You've got to go read the whole article; it's surprisingly balanced considering that it's run in the Boston freakin' Globe, more commonly known as Pravda-on-the-Charles. There's the usual scare quotes from Rosenthal and the VPC; however they also quote Jim Wallace from GOAL, which is pretty surprising. The comments, naturally, are a complete and utter hotbed of PSH, with the usual "no one but cops and military should own firearms" crap being bandied about. You know, only cops like the jackass in DC waving his police issue sidearm around after his car was hit by a snowball...

And it pleases me to no end to know that I'm responsible for at least a few of those new permits...

That is all.

6 comments:

PISSED said...

Good morning Jay,
Hows the french toast? ..being the fact we are only getting 3-6 inches.hahahha

I got my permit 2 years ago and have the proud accomplishment of adding at least 2 of my friends to the 15% increase that you posted.

Stay safe in the snow!

Julie said...

Great news! Keep up the good work ...

Brad_in_IL said...

Jay,

I saw the article this morning while reading the news . . .

I was really surprised when I read about the highly mixed nature of the MA-required pre-licensing safety course. I think the time has come to start pushing on My Darling Charming Wife for his & hers classes, licenses, etc.

- Brad

Seth from Massachusetts said...

Blew my mind to learn permits were up in Mass. I agree, the comments were almost funny, no make that they are funny!

Hmmmm. The word verification for this comment is ascole. Is that a comment on the article, or on the state of gun phobia in this state?

Anonymous said...

I actually heard the news on NPR this morning, and to be honest, I was more surprised by the source than the facts. I count myself among that increase in the past two years.

Regarding the DC cop, this sounds awfully reminiscent of what happened at the Boston Massacre. Glad things did not escalate any further.

Weer'd Beard said...

Talked to the guy running the classes at MRA last month. He said they've been full up for months now. Also that the class is split about 60/40. Sometimes 60% women, sometimes 60% men, or something in between.

So lot so lots of permits, and lots of women.

A friend of mine (who just so happens to be a woman) just took her course and it was about 50/50.

We're winning!

Just imagine what it's like in states that #1 have a strong gun culture, and #2 aren't cost prohibitive to get a permit, and #3, don't require permits to just BUY a gun!!!