I'm going to branch this out of my previous post because I think it may help inform some folks on what the current situation is:
Edit - I'm trying to find the specific language of the law in Mass, but by my recollection prior to moving out of Mass:
In order to carry/transport a firearm, Mass requires you to have your LTC (license to carry). The FID card is a standard license that requires basic safety courses and allows you to own the gun in your home. It is the bare minimum for gun ownership. FID owners do NOT have the right to transport or have it on their person in Mass without a LTC - which is an additional license that requires extra paperwork and process.
In order to carry It concealed - as Jones did - he needs a concealed carry LTC, which also has its own stipulations and varies by town/city. In Mass, many of the larger cities rarely issue concealed carry licenses unless for specific use cases. Smaller towns tend to be less stringent. (As an example, I had a job where I had to carry concealed firearms - that I needed a concealed carry license for my job was the only reason I was approved for a concealed carry LTC. Conversely, I had friends who had 5 minute interviews with town detectives, and were issued their conceal carry).
In many states, having the FID card is enough to do exactly what Jones did (other than the idiotic part of not checking the firearm prior to boarding). In Massachusetts, there are two more qualification levels needed prior to being able to carry concealed.
What we know - Jones was dumb and brought his gun through a security checkpoint. We DONT know the specifics. He very well may have had his FID card on his person (or not). In many states, this would be good enough to satisfy the laws of that state. Based on his tweets to Ja Morant, I assume he knows enough to have his FID, but missed the additional steps that vary by state.
But, in Mass, you also need a concealed carry permit to transport it in a bag. Again, This is NOT a standard law in every state. In Mass, there are also specific rules about having the gun loaded, not secured with a gun lock/case during transport, etc. I can't recall specifics, and they may or may not be at play here.
He 100% should have known to check his weapon. He also should have known Mass state laws regarding concealed carry, but he's nowhere near the first person to make this mistake. That's not to excuse it - again, I think I've been clear than if you own firearms you should know all the laws in your city and state regarding them - but it really isn't anywhere near as idiotic or malicious as the media is currently portraying.
