Mass. police chiefs sued over gun license limits

BOSTON (AP) — A gun rights group has filed a lawsuit against four Massachusetts police chiefs claiming the way they issue gun licenses violates Second Amendment rights.

A state law allows police to issue licenses to carry guns with restrictions limiting their use for sporting reasons, hunting or target practice. The federal suit claims those restrictions prevent gun owners from using or carrying handguns for protection.

The lawsuit was filed by Commonwealth Second Amendment and six state residents. The suit asks the court to order the chiefs to issue unrestricted gun licenses to the six plaintiffs and to declare the law unconstitutional.

Defendant and Danvers Chief Neil Ouellette says the decision on whether to put restrictions on a license depends on many factors, including the person's background, mental health, maturity and other characteristics.