Nothing personal Katie but people usually give a reason for posting stats. I'm curious about yours?

Hi Steevo, Each Wednesday we post a different chart focusing on a variety of topics. In the past we have done violent crime, tax rates and birthrates, to name a few. If you have a topic you would like to suggest, I would be happy to explore it.

Back in the 70’s I used to live in Chelmsford and went to Nashoba Tech, so I have fond memories of the area of my youth. However, given Massachusetts draconian anti-gun laws and the fact that you need a license to even carry Mace (you’ve got to be kidding me!) rings true what they say, you can’t go home.

So I guess the quote from Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Edge of Darkness” is profoundly accurate. “Everything’s illegal in Massachusetts”. And thus I’ll stay in Virginia.

Nice picture of an Air Soft Gun.

Hi Randy, Lowell has been added.

Pretty easy to see that the two cities with the highest crime, Lawrence and Lowell, also have the lowest per capita gun licenses.

Better to have a gun and not need it as opposed to needing a gun and not having one.

Would be nice to have license per 1,000 as compare to crime per 1,000 to have some context. Numbers alone are always subject to users view.

Hi Peter, Here is a chart we ran a few Wednesdays ago about violent crime -- http://patch.com/A-qNrN

Cool, thanks for the quick reply. Also noticed that while littleton has the fewest absolute licenses issued, the per 1,000 puts them in a higher category. More likely to run into a person in littleton with a license than lawrence or lowell.

I'm sure you would, take it ....

Tyler, there are to many misconceptions and prejudices in your statement for me to even begin to address. But I do suggest you seek therapy.

I think everyone should show a ID when voting at the polls. Keeps us all honest.

Interesting stats Katie. If these numbers are representative of 2009, then I think the message has been received. 2010 & 2011 have seen the largest number of individuals seeking to or attending firearms training classes in MA. Many organizations currently have few openings available due to the high volume of interested. These people, our neighbors are paying $100 and up for this training. In many cases, cities and towns are requesting this be done prior to submitting an application for a LTC, License to Carry, in MA. A LTC application requires a full set of fingerprints, $100 MA license fee, and in most cases a lengthy interview process at your local police department.
The citizen who willingly puts himself under this type of scrutiny is not your enemy or in any way associated with criminal activity or violence as many of the reader comments seem to lean toward.
So, citizens - Sign-up for your classes and get your LTC applications into the local authorites ASAP. I think armed friends and neighbors who do not need to use a firearm is better than an unarmed society. Someone has already said "Armed criminals do not have an LTC or follow society's laws.
Thanks for letting us rant Katie!

Most any crime victim will tell you that in an emergency, seconds count and the police are only minutes away.

The police usually arrive just in time to call an ambulance!