Firearm restrictions are tightening like a noose in Lowell, Massachusetts with the heavy arm of the law pulling tightly on the rope. Gun rights advocates are livid over a new city law that requires residents applying for a gun license to write “an essay” explaining why they believe they should be granted the right to carry their firearm. Even scarier, police Superintendent William Taylor has sole discretion for approving or denying the application giving him the power over the citizens’ constitutional rights.
Jim Wallace, executive director of Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts told reporters:
“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. We already have a very strict set of gun laws in the state, but this is way over the top.”
The new law goes into effect this week in Lowell, a city of about 100,000 located about 35 miles north of Boston. The law was promoted by Taylor and passed by Lowell’s City Council.
One resident told the City Council,
“I will never write an essay to get my rights as an American citizen.”
The new law also requires residents to take an extended, cost-prohibitive, week-long gun safety course, the cost of which averages over $1,000, turn in “signed letters of recommendation”, and submit to a private face-to-face interview with authorities.
Residents are being urged not to turn in the essay and, instead, turn to the courts when their application is denied.