My questions are below:
1. Can anyone offer guidance to a good LTC class instructor? FIL is in the Boston area, though we usually stay with a sister in law in the Lowell area.
2. How long does it realistically take to get an interview arranged after application is made?
3. How long after an interview does a decision get made?
And the million dollar question...
4. Under the circumstance, what are my odds for an unrestricted NR LTC-A on the first try? Does anything other than an unrestricted LTC-A even make a difference for me?
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1. Len in this thread has a great reputation as an instructor. I did my MA class with hawgleg44 (https://www.ar15.com/member/user.html?id=16963) who is in Western Mass. Beyond simply finding somebody to sign a certificate, you as an experienced shooter from another state with very different laws from Mass are going to want somebody who can give you information that will keep you from doing something that is going to get you locked up.
2. In a couple of weeks after sending in your application, expect to get an appointment date by email. Time from that point to appointment can vary a bit even between applicants who submit their applications around the same time. Like Len said, 3-4 months wait for an interview is typical. If you propose a specific date or time-frame, they will try to fit you in during that time, if possible.
3. You may have a good idea by the end of the interview as to how they will act on your application as to what the outcome will be. They aim for about 6-8 weeks to get your approved license to you but it can take longer depending on response times from collateral information sources, especially from DMH. My first NR LTC in Mass took over 12 weeks after the interview, ~7 months mailbox to mailbox.
4.They want to see a reason why you are in greater danger than any other member of the public, much as Iram described. In addition to the type of documentation that Iram is describing, it would also be good to document any threats with appropriate LE agencies. There's something to also be said for the way that an applicant articulates his or her motivation/ need. Another consideration that also has been said to play into FRB's decision making process is past possession of an unrestricted Mass resident license. How much influence that has isn't something that I can answer to.
...Since you can't even possess anything without a LTC, it protects you that way even if you can't carry.
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To expand a little bit on what Len is saying- carrying outside of restriction is punishable by a fine $1000 to $10000 and is grounds for license revocation but does not subject somebody to the serious criminal charges that could be applied to an individual who possesses a firearm, ammunition, or feeding device without an LTC. [OBVIOUSLY you should NEVER carry outside restriction!] While there aren't any restrictions that would allow carry in public the situations you describe, it would be a good idea for you to research the scope of the various restrictions. You may find that one of them might allow you to possess a firearm within the scope of those restrictions in situation which might be useful to you at least sometimes.
If you are particularly concerned about a situation, the best thing to do would be to try to have a police officer present for the interaction. Some towns will provide an officer for a brief period of time without charge, but if you want one present for a prolonged period of time, you will have to pay the private duty rate.