Federal charges for a series of bad decisions. The article implies only LEOs can buy Glocks in Mass. Is that accurate??

https://www.capecodtimes.com/n...er-faces-gun-charges

Former Cape college security officer faces gun charges

By Tanner Stening

Posted Apr 25, 2019 at 7:00 PM
Updated Apr 26, 2019 at 6:24 AM

Federal prosecutor alleges Methuen man misused ID to buy 2 Glock handguns

A former campus security officer at Cape Cod Community College has been charged with misrepresenting himself as a police officer to buy two Glock pistols, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts.

Justin Watson, 33, of Methuen, appeared in U.S. District Court in Boston on April 18 facing charges of falsifying information related to the firearms purchases, including telling the gun dealers that he was a police officer with arrest powers required to complete the sale of Glocks, federal prosecutors stated.

Watson had been residing at 300 Nathan Ellis Highway in Mashpee since August 2018, according to an affidavit by Special Agent Brian Higgins of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Watson was an “institutional security officer/campus police dispatcher” with the Cape Cod Community College police from March 2018 to February 2019, according to Higgins. He neither carried a weapon nor had arrest powers on campus.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Watson ordered a Glock Model 22, GEN4, .40-caliber pistol for delivery at Cape Cod Gun Works. On Aug. 26, a representative from Cape Gun Works called him to say that the pistol was available for pickup. That same day, he went to the store to purchase the firearm, showing the manager his college identification card that listed him as “campus police” and “faculty/staff.”

A month earlier, Watson contacted another firearms dealer, but an employee there informed him that only law enforcement officers with the power to conduct arrests could purchase a Glock in Massachusetts, Higgins wrote. Watson said he was a police officer with authority to make arrests.

On Nov. 17, Watson and his girlfriend went to Bourne Bridge Guns and Ammo to purchase a Glock Model 26, GEN4, 9mm pistol for $425, Higgins wrote. His girlfriend allegedly told the sales manager that she was Watson’s boss and therefore could attest that Watson had arrest powers. Watson again offered his campus identification card and completed a certification letter indicating that he was buying the gun for “on or off duty use” and not “for resale.” Watson also completed another certification form, and listed himself as “campus police,” Higgins wrote.

Watson transferred the firearm to his girlfriend Dec. 19, Higgins wrote.

On Jan. 28, when questioned by investigators, Watson acknowledged that he used his campus identification card to purchase both guns, stating that he did not think he could acquire them without it, Higgins wrote.

In addition to restrictions on who can purchase Glocks in Massachusetts, there are also rules about the resale of weapons. Watson could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Cape Cod Community College Campus Police, Barnstable Police Department and Mashpee Police Department provided assistance with the investigation.

A Cape Cod Community College spokesman said they would not comment on personnel issues.

Watson has not been with the school since officials learned about the situation at the end of January, according to spokesman Patrick Stone. Watson was placed on paid administrative leave and he left the college at that time, he said.

Stone said the college will review the identification badging system, examining how the badges are made and what information is included.


—Follow Tanner Stening on Twitter: @tsteningCCT.

Glocks are not Massachusetts compliant because of our attorney general’s ridiculous rules based on “consumer safety”. Police are exempt. Not sure how this becomes federal charges when it's just a state ban. Cops can sell glocks to non-LEO but they can’t purchase them just for selling. Glock won’t bother to try to make a Mass compliant model. They tried once and it was deemed non-compliant by the AG and a voluntary recall was issued.

I've heard lots of stories of security types getting Glocks without much of an issue. Depends on the gun store.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
Glocks are not Massachusetts compliant because of our attorney general’s ridiculous rules based on “consumer safety”. Police are exempt. Not sure how this becomes federal charges when it's just a state ban. Cops can sell glocks to non-LEO but they can’t purchase them just for selling. Glock won’t bother to try to make a Mass compliant model. They tried once and it was deemed non-compliant by the AG and a voluntary recall was issued.

I've heard lots of stories of security types getting Glocks without much of an issue. Depends on the gun store.

Wait, what? I was reading the article wondering how a specific manufacturer was illegal? What is the safety issue? Pulling trigger to disassemble? Glock knuckle? Are P320s also illegal?

quote:

Are P320s also illegal?

There is a Mass compliant P320. It has a manual safety and comes with 10rd mags.

Sounds like CA is not the only state with a ridiculous BS roster that LEOs are exempt from.

Buying one and transferring it to the girlfriend is a straight up straw purchase. I’m not surprised the ATF is after him for that.

They oughta imprison the lawmakers of that state.

No magazine safety. Requirement in Massachusetts.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
No magazine safety. Requirement in Massachusetts.

Do they also require microstamping, or have they not yet gone full-California?

I sure wish Judge Benitez would get his hands ona roster lawsuit...

quote:

Originally posted by sigarms229:

quote:

Are P320s also illegal?

There is a Mass compliant P320. It has a manual safety and comes with 10rd mags.

Is that what makes Glocks verboten? Requires a safety and limited capacity mags?

A stupid fucking state, with stupid gun laws. Another breading ground for idiotic leftists.

quote:

Originally posted by 2012BOSS302:
A stupid fucking state, with stupid gun laws. Another breading ground for idiotic leftists.

If this is all you're going to contribute, just skip it. Some of us still live here.

The crux of the charges is that this guy faked being a police officer.

The dumb gun laws issue is secondary.

New Glocks cannot be sold by FFLs to civilians, because the AG has had an ongoing beef with Glock. It's nothing more than that.

The AG, starting in the 90's, made a power grab and anti-gun play under their "consumer protection" authority.

If you want to talk stupid laws, or something specific, fine. Let's skip pissing on the whole state.

quote:

New Glocks cannot be sold by FFLs to civilians, because the AG has had an ongoing beef with Glock.

So what EXACTLY is the "beef"? Is this just a pissing match?

I understand the AG probably has the law on his side since he's, well, the AG. But is it as simple as a magazine & manual safety? Somewhat surprised Glock hasn't made compliant guns if not for lack of trying.

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:

quote:

New Glocks cannot be sold by FFLs to civilians, because the AG has had an ongoing beef with Glock.

So what EXACTLY is the "beef"? Is this just a pissing match?

I understand the AG probably has the law on his side since he's, well, the AG. But is it as simple as a magazine & manual safety? Somewhat surprised Glock hasn't made compliant guns if not for lack of trying.

Why bother? Glock already tried once and got denied by MA. Is worth the time, money, and effort to develop and make a MA compliant Glock when what you have now is good enough to sell every one you make in just about every other state or locale?

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:

quote:

Originally posted by 2012BOSS302:
A stupid fucking state, with stupid gun laws. Another breading ground for idiotic leftists.

If this is all you're going to contribute, just skip it. Some of us still live here....If you want to talk stupid laws, or something specific, fine. Let's skip pissing on the whole state.

If there was a way to prevent all those inside the 495 beltway from voting, Mass could be a red state.

So he was a security officer and dispatcher. Does his ID specify that he is a dispatcher? I'm sure his ID says CAMPUS POLICE but shouldn't it list his job title too?

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:

quote:

New Glocks cannot be sold by FFLs to civilians, because the AG has had an ongoing beef with Glock.

So what EXACTLY is the "beef"? Is this just a pissing match?

I understand the AG probably has the law on his side since he's, well, the AG. But is it as simple as a magazine & manual safety? Somewhat surprised Glock hasn't made compliant guns if not for lack of trying.

The "approved list" is just a list of makers who send 5 pistols to the State Police to be "evaluated." There are a lot of handguns you can't buy in MA simply because the maker is unwilling to give away guns that will be damaged. All kinds, high end 1911s, the Colt Python, you name it.

Some pistols do fail, lots just never come. Glock has been trying for some time, because there is a market here, and boyo people would buy some new Glocks.

It's not just the current AG, this is tradition now with hoplophobe statists as they are. There has been legal action, though I don't know its current state. It boils down to the AG abusing power to restrict firearms, but no one available to curtail that, because the rest of the state government is on board.

quote:

Originally posted by PD:
If there was a way to prevent all those inside the 495 beltway from voting, Mass could be a red state.

It is a microcosm of what would happen without the Electoral College. It is true that outside 495 you regularly see Trump stickers, and all the "peace" flags change to American flags.

quote:

Originally posted by Phelen_Kell:
So he was a security officer and dispatcher. Does his ID specify that he is a dispatcher? I'm sure his ID says CAMPUS POLICE but shouldn't it list his job title too?

What information we have, is in the article. No one here can answer these questions. Why speculate?

The guy stepped in it, between buying guns he wasn't allowed to buy, as well as multiples for alleged sale. While the restrictions are dumb, they aren't opaque, he knew what he was doing, and he'll go to the graybar motel.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

Buying one and transferring it to the girlfriend is a straight up straw purchase. I’m not surprised the ATF is after him for that.

He bought it with his own money and a month later gave it to his girlfriend. This isn't a straw purchase at all.

It may be a BS law that I may not agree with but the guy knew what he was doing. In short, he broke the law and was doing something shady.

I can't have much sympathy.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

Buying one and transferring it to the girlfriend is a straight up straw purchase. I’m not surprised the ATF is after him for that.

He bought it with his own money and a month later gave it to his girlfriend. This isn't a straw purchase at all.

Buying a gun with the express purpose of immediately giving it to someone else as a gift, and then doing so, isn't a straw purchase, either.

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

Buying one and transferring it to the girlfriend is a straight up straw purchase. I’m not surprised the ATF is after him for that.

He bought it with his own money and a month later gave it to his girlfriend. This isn't a straw purchase at all.

Buying a gun with the express purpose of immediately giving it to someone else as a gift, and then doing so, isn't a straw purchase, either.

Thanks for the edification!