What is Concealed Carry?
In general terms Webster’s Dictionary defines concealed carry as “the act or practice of carrying a concealed firearm in public or the legal right to do so.”
The operative word in this definition is the word concealed and in fairness, we turn to Oxford’s Dictionary which defines concealed as “kept secret; hidden”
In looking at both of these definitions the conclusion to be reached is that “Concealed Carry” is carrying a firearm which is both hidden and kept secret
In Massachusetts you’re right to concealed carry is secured by way of a license, which is granted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through an application made to the local Chief of Police of the applicant’s municipality of residence.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws, your ability to carry a firearm is generally regulated under Chapter 140, Section 131: Licenses to carry firearms; conditions and restriction.
Prior to January 2021 the introductory paragraph language was
Section 131. All licenses to carry firearms shall be designated Class A or Class B, and the issuance and possession of any such license shall be subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
[Introductory paragraph as amended by 2014, 284, Sec. 46 effective January 1, 2021. See 2014, 284, Sec. 112. For text effective until January 1, 2021, see above.]The issuance and possession of a license to carry firearms shall be subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
[Paragraphs (a) to (c) effective until January 1, 2021. For text effective January 1, 2021, see below.]The current text of Massachusetts Gen. Laws chapter 140 section 131 is more than 6800 words which will not be discussed at length right now as the focus of the segment is Concealed Carry.
What you should take away from this is that your ability to carry in Massachusetts is subject to a “license” issued by a proper authority.
What needs to be remembered is that your ability to “Concealed Carry” is through a specific license.
Again referencing Oxfords Dictionary a license is “a permit from an authority to own or use something to do a particular thing”
In Massachusetts this permit/license is from the Commonwealth allowing you as the licensee to do something.
The significance here is that in general terms the permission to the licensee through the license can be withdrawn or revoked at any time by the licensor.
One of the basis for the licensor to seek withdrawing the license is to show that there has been a violation or abuse of the terms which brings us back to the purpose of the license which is “Concealed Carry.”
As we head into the warmer weather the holster which you may have been using all winter may no longer be appropriate with lighter clothing
If one of the elements of concealed carry is to keep the firearm secret you need to protect your rights by by not allowing your firearm to be what is called “printed.”
In general terms a firearm is “printed” when the outline of the firearm is visible through your clothing.
One of the dangers of “printing” is whether the person making the observation considers it to be “brandishing”which is a crime in most every state.
In Massachusetts brandishing a weapon is generally charged as assault with a deadly weapon – which is sufficient for the revocation of the license. It is important to bear in mind that there generally is no single Massachusetts case which clearly defines what constitutes brandishing.
The dangers of printing is that it opens the door for an individual or a business owner to call the police, and for the police to have a sufficient basis to conduct further inquiry as to the conduct of the licensee.
A classic example of where printing can provide the basis for the revocation of the license is where the license holder is having a argument with the merchant, and the licensee moves in such a way that his or her legally concealed weapon is now printing … causing the merchant to make a claim that he is now in fear … and thus, allowing the police to at least bring a claim of assault. This will now become a factual issue for a jury.
Tips to avoid printing.
Don’t carry a weapon that is too large for your body type.
Invest in a good holster and belt which keeps the weapon close to the body, many times the importance of the good belt is overlooked. A flimsy belt generally will not provide the necessary support.
Wear appropriate clothing which in some cases may mean wearing a size larger. You should generally consider that darker colors and prints further help in concealing the fact that you are carrying a weapon. In some situations wearing an untucked shirt over T-shirt or a lightweight sport coat may be enough
Before you leave your house stop and take a second look in the mirror. Are you able to reach with both arms? Can you bend and walk comfortably without your weapon showing?
And finally, can you draw and retrieve your weapon if necessary?
For further discussion on the issue of Concealed Carry I would invite you to read a recent article titled Gray Is Good written by Jeff Gonzalez which was published by the NRA in the March 2021 issue of Shooting Illustrated. Beginning on page 51, the author takes the position as standing out in a crowd can be a good thing … unless you’re carrying a concealed firearm.
Mr. Gonzalez focuses on a number of factors including the fact that you want to conceal your firearm from anyone including potential criminals. You also want to conceal your firearm from friends and family members, some of whom may disapprove of the fact that you are carrying a firearm. In the event that you are faced with a critical situation, you do not want to alert an attacker to the fact that you may be concealing a firearm, even if it is for the protection of yourself and loved ones. To sum it up keep it “Neat, Sweet, and Discreet!”
One of the best protections of your second amendment rights is to be an educated, knowledgeable and responsible gun owner
DISCLAIMER: This and other segments posted on this website are offered for educational, informational and discussion purposes only and is not offered as legal advice.