Massachusetts - Governor introduces anti-gun legislation

[ericire12]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/gov_patrick_fil.html

Governor Deval Patrick is filing legislation today to reduce gun violence that includes a provision to restore a crime-fighting tool for prosecutors that was taken away by a court ruling Monday.

The bill would allow suspects to be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing for charges that involve illegal possession, use, or trafficking of guns, the governor's office said.

The legislation would also create a new felony of using a gun while committing a misdemeanor, limit gun purchases to one per month, and require sales of guns by private parties to be recorded by licensed gun dealers.

Public Safety and Security Secretary Kevin Burke said, "We need to send a clear message … that should you use a gun in the commission of a crime … you will be punished."

The legislation was unveiled at a news conference at a Boston housing development. Others attending included Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, Police Commissioner Edward Davis, and community leaders.

The state Supreme Judicial Court ruled Monday that illegal gun possession is a "passive and victimless crime." The court rejected a novel strategy implemented by Bristol District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter, who had sought to cut down on gun violence by seeking pretrial detention for every person charged with illegal gun possession in his jurisdiction.

The court said the law, known as 58A, does not include illegal gun possession on the list of criminal charges that qualify for a dangerousness hearing.

Contact Info:
Governor's Office: 888-870-7770
(TTY: 617-727-3666)

email:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_us

[Timothy]

Thanks for the info...

Don't have a chance of doing anything about it though.  Our state constitution allows the legislature to do whatever it wants within the Commonwealth regarding firearms.

I will form a heated response tonight when I get home.  Most of the emails I send to this dimwit go unanswered.....and Mumbles Menino ain't much better.  Thankfully, I don't live in Boston...

[Hazcat]

Don't ya love how he puts a few good thing in there that only affect criminals.  Things that I (and I believe most gun owners) would support.

BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>

Then comes what he REALLY wants.  No private sales and limits on purchase!

[ericire12]

Don't ya love how he puts a few good thing in there that only affect criminals.  Things that I (and I believe most gun owners) would support.

BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>

Then comes what he REALLY wants.  No private sales and limits on purchase!

Click!

[Timothy]

We already have restrictions on private sales to four per year.  None on purchase yet, other than the “List” of approved…..

It's the balance of the bill that gets me up in arms but again, they don't care in Boston what we think.  They believe that they, the "Brain Trust" of the Commonwealth, are our keepers because we are unable to do for ourselves.  As I’ve said in a previous post, the most invasive government in existence.

A few years ago, a young boy in Dorchester (a particularly shitty little piece of Boston) shot and killed his cousin with his gang banger older brothers 9mm Glock in an accidental shooting.  Mom had five kids by four men, none of whom resided within the residence.  Two kids playing with big bro's gat, one dead, the other marred for life.  The Mayor, Mumbles Menino, later that day blamed the GUN for the killing, NOT the brother who had the gun illegally or the MOTHER who left two ten year old kids alone at home.  He immediately started a full court press to get the GUNS off the street, not rid the streets of the criminals who have MOST of the guns in Boston.  (Boston has further restrictions that don’t apply to the state).

Last year, the kid who had the illegal firearm was sentenced to NOTHING!  Seams that in Boston, owning a firearm illegally is not a crime if you’re a person of lesser means than the normal resident who might be responsible, law abiding and been through several NICS reviews prior to buying that firearm.

It’s absolute bullshit, big stinking piles of smelly, fly infested, mushroom growing bullshit….

[Sponsor]

[ericire12]

We already have restrictions on private sales to four per year.  None on purchase yet, other than the “List” of approved…..

It's the balance of the bill that gets me up in arms but again, they don't care in Boston what we think.  They believe that they, the "Brain Trust" of the Commonwealth, are our keepers because we are unable to do for ourselves.  As I’ve said in a previous post, the most invasive government in existence.

A few years ago, a young boy in Dorchester (a particularly shitty little piece of Boston) shot and killed his cousin with his gang banger older brothers 9mm Glock in an accidental shooting.  Mom had five kids by four men, none of whom resided within the residence.  Two kids playing with big bro's gat, one dead, the other marred for life.  The Mayor, Mumbles Menino, later that day blamed the GUN for the killing, NOT the brother who had the gun illegally or the MOTHER who left two ten year old kids alone at home.  He immediately started a full court press to get the GUNS off the street, not rid the streets of the criminals who have MOST of the guns in Boston.  (Boston has further restrictions that don’t apply to the state).

Last year, the kid who had the illegal firearm was sentenced to NOTHING!  Seams that in Boston, owning a firearm illegally is not a crime if you’re a person of lesser means than the normal resident who might be responsible, law abiding and been through several NICS reviews prior to buying that firearm.

It’s absolute bullshit, big stinking piles of smelly, fly infested, mushroom growing bullshit….

Livestock!

[tombogan03884]

I forget where I saw it but I saw a report yesterday that 80% of crime in America is gang related.
What are they doing about Gangs ?

Found it;
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php/topic,6604.20/topicseen.html
Page 3 post #22

[Teresa Heilevang]

It's not the guns fault.. (singing to the choir here) but then I keep hearing......there should be huge fines or prison time for the responsible adult if a juvenile gets hold of a weapon and something terrible happens.

There is ..to me.... a whole kettle of fish simmering on this one.
 what is considered juvenile age.. what is the circumstance involved.. granted..adults need to be responsible.. but to be thrown in jail?
Had a heated conversation the other evening with some one over this.

[MikeBjerum]

Don't ya love how he puts a few good thing in there that only affect criminals.  Things that I (and I believe most gun owners) would support.

BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>

Then comes what he REALLY wants.  No private sales and limits on purchase!

And that is how gun owners and supporters of the Second Amendment get sucked into supporting anti-2nd legislation 

[fightingquaker13]

Thanks for the info...

Don't have a chance of doing anything about it though.  Our state constitution allows the legislature to do whatever it wants within the Commonwealth regarding firearms.

I will form a heated response tonight when I get home.  Most of the emails I send to this dimwit go unanswered.....and Mumbles Menino ain't much better.  Thankfully, I don't live in Boston...

Timothy (and others)
Unless you're writing an "atta boy" to a politcian, you're wasting your time with email. If you're trying to get them to change their mind, they need to know that there is a constituent out there motivated enough to put pen to paper, buy a stamp and walk to the post office. This is the same amount of effort required to vote absentee and they know it. You may not change their mind but you will get a response.
FQ13