Boston Police Department

Rule Changes

Employer of John Brazil at time of investigation

James Lucien was 21 when he was convicted of the 1994 murder of Ryan Edwards and sentenced to life without parole. He spent 27 years in prison before a Suffolk County judge threw out the conviction in 2021.

Updated Oct 28

Rule Changes

Licensing authority for firearm permits in Boston

Massachusetts's highest court ruled 5-2 on October 20 that the state may keep gun licenses from adults under 21, rejecting Mikai Thomson's Second Amendment challenge. The Supreme Judicial Court said the age limit fits a founding-era tradition of adults supervising young people's access to firearms.

Updated Oct 21

Rule Changes

As of September 2026: Licensing authority defending its denial

A Hyde Park man who lost his gun license after admitting he impersonated a police officer and threatened a motorist in 2020 is fighting for it again. The Boston Police Department (BPD) filed an appeal September 15 to overturn a judge's order reissuing the license.

Updated Sep 15