wrote:
On Wednesday, November 13, 2013 4:13:39 PM UTC-5, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 11/13/2013 3:33 PM, wrote:
Except that if you want to have quick access to one at night while
you sleep, it sounds like you must sleep with a holster. Having it
under the bed (12 gauge) or in a night stand drawer (9mm) doesn't
sound like it qualifies for that exemption. It has to either be
locked up, or in your hands/on your belt.
I don't interpret it that way. Having it on or in a nightstand beside
your bed qualifies as "under direct control" I think. Same as having
one in the center compartment of your truck or car. It doesn't have to
physically be "on" you in order to be "under direct control".
I suppose I tend to take things pretty literally. "Carried" is pretty
clear. "Under my control" is a bit muddy, since under the bed doesn't
seem like it's under my direct control. I do get your point, especially
regarding that I'd have to lock things up every time I left the house.
In reality, in this state I suspect there would be an investigation and
even preliminary charges brought against you, even if you shot an
intruder in the middle of the night. Where the guns are kept would
become a minor point. MA has a castle law that can be used in your
defense in the event of a shooting, but I suspect you would have to
convince everyone that it was self defense. It's a squishy law in a
squishy state when it comes to guns. Our governor, Deval Patrick (we
call him "Minnie Me") is intent on tightening gun control laws further
to the point where very few would qualify for a new permit or renewals
of existing permits.
Fortunately, we are not to the point your state is in regard to gun
restrictions. I can say that it has been years since anyone rode around
with a gun rack in the rear window of their truck. Funny, it seems there
was far less violent crime back in those days.
There was less violent crime, and these days, someone would break in to the
truck and steal the weapons. I think that we have had too many years of
lack of teaching children responsibility.