Let chiefs have say on gun permits

I'm convinced there are greater societal problems in need of attention than the plight of the inconvenienced gun enthusiast, highlighted on the front page of the May 29 Globe West and other regional editions ("Under the Gun"). Imagine having to submit three letters of recommendation in order to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon, or a letter from your physician stating that you aren't mentally ill. How unreasonable!

Police chiefs are in the best position to know the background of applicants in their community, which is why state law provides our local chiefs with the job of determining an applicant's overall suitability for a license to carry concealed weapons.

As a coauthor of the Massachusetts Gun Control Act of 1998, which remains the nation's toughest and most effective gun control law, I can tell you that investing police chiefs with this discretion was a very intentional decision. Those who think such licenses should be given out without meaningful review are putting the interests of gun enthusiasts before public safety and the public interest. Getting such a license should not be easy or automatic, and our police chiefs should have the opportunity to gather information they feel is needed to make these judgments. We're not talking about a fishing license, we're talking about a license that allows an individual to carry a concealed, loaded handgun on their person in public places. In the battle between gun enthusiasts and police chiefs over licensing standards for concealed carry permits, I'm with the police chiefs.

Angus G. McQuilken, Wellesley