I have been thinking about getting a license...

[NickBlaze]

... for concealed weapons, but not for firearms, as I have little interest in them. I live in MA.

Why? There are two reasons why. The first and primary is that my job involves the protection and transport of a large amount of cash. The second is because I have been a martial artist for the greater majority of my life, and I have become somewhat of a traditionalist, where it was natural to walk around with concealed or open weapons.

However, I do not know what kind of training procedure I will be forced to take. While I have nothing against firearms, they are simply not to my preference; what is the Government-chosen training program like? Obviously, being trained for over a 14years in the upkeep and safe use of sharp objects is not enough, but I was wondering if it focused more on firearm safety.

Also, due to my job and my practice, I carry around katana and other weapons to and from the dojo. However, because of my job protecting large quantities of cash interfering with times on days of practice, I have to keep the weapons in my car. However, they are always covered in a sword bag, tied, and placed in the trunk in a shock-absorbent box. While the police have been understanding in the past, would having such a weapon at my worksite unattended be illegal in Mass?

[thedub88]

First let me say hi and I too live in MA.
There is no licence for concealed weapons. The only licence is to carry firearms, NOT other weapons. This state sucks!! I have my licence to carry firearms, but I cant carry a knife longer than 1.5 inchs (check local knife laws).
Yes the training is about firearms saftey, because that is what the licence is for - firearms

[AvidshooterTX]

Don't bring a sword to a gun fight. There's a reason everybody but you carries a gun - because it's the most effective weapon available.

[NickBlaze]

Don't bring a sword to a gun fight. There's a reason everybody but you carries a gun - because it's the most effective weapon available.

I understand this, but it's simply personal preference.

But a blade over 1.5 inches? Well, that limits things, I think.

[AvidshooterTX]

I understand this, but it's simply personal preference.

But a blade over 1.5 inches? Well, that limits things, I think.

Might cause a nasty infection.

[JJFlash]

Years ago, a friend, a blackbelt, was waxing poetic about his fighting capabilities. I asked him if he could stop a .45...No? Then I win.

Now, I am a blackbelt and so am reasonably competent with bare-handed self-defense. But I also have carried a firearm for years. Why? See above.

Now, check this...I have also done some tactical training which employs some martial arts techniques along with use of a handgun.

To me, it's not necessarily an either/or situation. And the gun trumps every hand.

[Saltcreek]

There are not "permits" anywhere for "weapon" other than firarms. Your Mass laws were easily Googled and are similar except for knife length to most States
"GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS
PART IV.
CRIMES, PUNISHMENTS AND PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES.

TITLE I. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS.
CHAPTER 269. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE.

Chapter 269: Section 10. Carrying dangerous weapons...

(b) Whoever, except as provided by law, carries on his
person, or carries on his person or under his control
in a vehicle, any stiletto, dagger or a device or case
which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn
at a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife
with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any
mechanism, dirk knife, any knife having a double-edged blade,
or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring
release device by which the blade is released from the
handle, having a blade of over one and one-half inches,
or a slung shot, blowgun, blackjack, metallic knuckles
or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the
same use with the same or similar effect as metallic
knuckles, nunchaku, zoobow, also known as klackers or
kung fu sticks, or any similar weapon consisting of two
sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a
length of rope, chain, wire or leather, a shuriken or any
similar pointed starlike object intended to injure a person
when thrown, or any armband, made with leather which has
metallic spikes, points or studs or any similar device made
from any other substance or a cestus or similar material
weighted with metal or other substance and worn on the hand,
or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted
ends; or whoever, when arrested upon a warrant for an alleged
crime, or when arrested while committing a breach or disturbance
of the public peace, is armed with or has on his person, or has
on his person or under his control in a vehicle, a billy or
other dangerous weapon other than those herein mentioned and
those mentioned in paragraph (a), shall be punished by
imprisonment for not less than two and one-half years nor more
than five years in the state prison, or for not less than six
months nor more than two and one-half years in a jail or house
of correction, except that, if the court finds that the defendant
has not been previously convicted of a felony, he may be punished
by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment for
not more than two and one-half years in a jail or house of correction."
Get a gun if you REALLY value your life. The rest is Hollywood.

[theicemanmpls]

I understand this, but it's simply personal preference.

But a blade over 1.5 inches? Well, that limits things, I think.

My wife tells me all the time; "size does not matter".

[Neal]

I believe that Florida's CC license is also for concealed weapons, but only in the state of Florida. You can't carry something other than a gun in another state under the FL permit.

Neal