Critics are up in arms over a new law in one Massachusetts town that will require residents applying for a handgun license to not only pay upwards of $1,000 for training, but also write an accompanying essay explaining why they are qualified to obtain a permit.
The policy, which was reportedly prompted in part by a year-old federal lawsuit brought by Commonwealth Second Amendment, a Bay State gun-rights group, will take effect in Lowell this week, despite protests from gun rights supporters who protested the policy last Tuesday.
"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, according to FOX News. "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 discretion in its implementation. The essay and excessive prices were just too much for many of the locals to bear.
"I will never write an essay to get my rights as an American citizen," resident Dan Gannon said, according to the Lowell Sun.
"It's beyond ridiculous," Firearms-safety instructor Randy Breton said of courses he looked into, arguing that the prices are intentionally high to dissuade anyone from applying for a gun permit.
For his part, Lowell Police Superintendent William Taylor, the one who introduced the policy, has the sole discretion for approving or denying the applications. This alone worries dissenters, who claim the situation is no different than handing in a college paper.
"It's like having a college professor say, 'I'm going to read your essay and if I don't like it, I'm going to give it back to you,'" Wallace said, urging Lowell residents to not adhere to the new rules and instead turn to the courts if their applications are denied.
The problem with this new policy is that it is an affront to the Bill of Rights, which not only predates government but dictates that citizens don't need to explain why they're exercising their rights - in this case, the right to bear arms, according to Town Hall.
