A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. - The Second Amendment Jon Igo

Activity Write your own Five Laws Regarding Firearm ownership and use.  Focus on how to acquire a firearm (age, permits, etc.) and also use of the firearm.  After you write your own laws, we will go over what the laws in MA actually are. - "God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."

Licenses to Carry (In Mass.)  CLASS “A" LTC: Permits the purchase, possession and carrying of all ammunition, handguns, rifles, shotguns and feeding devices (both large and non-large capacity). This is the only license that allows the carrying of concealed handguns-either loaded or unloaded.  CLASS “B" LTC: Permits the purchase, possession and carrying of all ammunition, non-large capacity handguns, and all rifles and shotguns (large and non-large capacity). * A weapon is large capacity if it is a semi-automatic handgun or rifle that is capable of accepting (or readily modifiable to accept) any detachable large capacity feeding device that holds more than ten rounds, OR if it is a shotgun capable of accepting more than five shotgun shells, OR if it is an assault weapon

Applying for a License to Carry  You must be 21 years of age or older to obtain a Class “A" or Class “B" permit. New applicants must complete a Mass. certified firearms safety course or a BASIC HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE. Class “A" and “B" LTC cost $ and are valid for 6 years.  The FID (Firearms Identification Card) card permits the purchase, possession and carrying of NON-LARGE CAPACITY RIFLES, SHOTGUNS and AMMUNITION ONLY. You must be at least 18 years old (or years old with parental consent) to apply for an FID card.

Firearm Use For Self Defense Massachusetts law justifies use of firearms for self defense if you are:  Trying to protect yourself or another person from death or serious bodily harm  Trying to prevent a forcible felony, such as rape, robbery, burglary or kidnapping.

Statistics  According to a 1997 Survey, among American Citizens possessing a gun, the source of the gun was from - a flea market or gun show for fewer than 2% a retail store or pawnshop for about 18% family, friends, a street buy, or an illegal source for 80%

Statistics (Cont.)

Discussion Agree: In today’s society, Americans should still have the constitutional right to bear arms Disagree: In today’s society, Americans should NOT have the constitutional right to bear arms

Sources  on/hed/hed_gun_laws.htm on/hed/hed_gun_laws.htm 

END