Get your butt to Boston - GOAL Super Alert - Wed 28th!!!!

Edit: ignore the duplicate post!

Big mistake on my part - I didn't know where the sign up sheet was - but I stayed to the end and got my three minutes in. Wrapped up at 4:00.
 
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So, when the legislature has completely ignored all the opposing testimony they heard today and passes all these bills into law, which direction will the collective "roll over again and take it" be, left or right? [popcorn][popcorn]
 
As national frustration builds on guns, dozens of proposals target already strict laws in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe
The bullets flew between two cars, shattering a weekday afternoon in Cambridgeport — and it didn’t stop there. The “gun battle” moved toward Central Square, drawing marked police cars into a chase and finally, authorities say, an arrest two miles away.

But police said they immediately faced a frustrating reality that November day. They charged the alleged gunman with a felony because he didn’t have a gun license. But for allegedly spraying bullets into a residential neighborhood? Police could charge him with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building — which carries all of a three-month sentence.

“It’s a misdemeanor,” said Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard.

Police and prosecutors pushed to change that Tuesday during a wide-ranging hearing that filled two rooms with advocates, legislators, and other officials, all pushing dozens of proposals designed to remake parts of Massachusetts’ already strict gun laws.

That includes Bard and Marian Ryan, the Middlesex County District Attorney, who asked lawmakers to subject anyone who intentionally or “recklessly” fires a gun — and poses a risk of injury to others — to a new felony statute that would carry up to five years in prison.

“This is a very common-sense measure that closes a gap in our law,” said Ryan, who described gunfire spewing from a car window last November as other people shopped at a nearby mall.

Massachusetts lawmakers have taken several steps to pad Massachusetts’ famously tight gun statutes in recent years, including banning bump stocks, creating an avenue for “red flag” petitions, and adding the state to a national database for background checks.

But as frustration mounts over inaction in Washington amid a growing list of mass shootings, debate rages even in Massachusetts over what changes can still be made here. And there are many, according to those who testified Tuesday.

The various bills ranged from setting up a process to analyze the data the state is collecting on firearms in Massachusetts to clamping down on so-called “ghost guns,” such as those assembled by ordering various firearm parts, by requiring they be given a unique serial number.

The legislation was filed in the wake of another arrest in Cambridge, where police say they recovered dozens of guns after a man — who did not have a license to carry firearms — allegedly ordered parts from dealers across the country. The investigation began after US Postal Service said it delivered 75 packages to his home, with items worth about $26,000 from firearm manufacturers.

Several Boston lawmakers and officials testified that the state can also do more in preventing not just the next potential mass shooting, but the gun violence that already peppers its own cities. “We do have power here today to tackle the issue of the illegal gun market, and make sure that we are taking steps to address that problem,” said state Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz.

Representative Chynah Tyler, a Roxbury Democrat, filed four bills that have the backing of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, including one that would limit most gun buyers — not including law enforcement, for example — from purchasing more than one firearm in a 30-day period.

Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross asked lawmakers to consider two different bills that he said could beef up information-sharing among police departments and allow the city to assess fees and fines on those whose cars are used to transport illegally owned guns.

The city, Gross said, has collected more than 4,000 firearms in the last five years, including more than 2,800 that police consider “crime guns.”

“One homicide is too many, one shooting’s too many,” he told the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security toward the end of his testimony.

Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts, argued that the state’s laws have been ineffective in preventing shootings and too often punish those who legally own guns.

One measure proposed by Representative David P. Linsky would require those seeking a license to undergo several hours of live firearm training, including shooting at least 50 rounds of ammunition. Linsky equated the state’s current gun laws to allowing someone to get their driver’s license without first taking a road test.

Wallace, however, argued that accidental shootings among those licensed to carry are rare. The proposal, he said, tries to address a “problem that doesn’t exist” and is simply another mandate on prospective gun owners.

“Please don’t regulate guns like cars,” Wallace said. “I often joke that if you come to one of our shooting ranges and you see a sign that says no texting and shooting, then you can come talk to us about firearm safety.”
hear.jpg

Which one of you took a nap?
 
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As national frustration builds on guns, dozens of proposals target already strict laws in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe
The bullets flew between two cars, shattering a weekday afternoon in Cambridgeport — and it didn’t stop there. The “gun battle” moved toward Central Square, drawing marked police cars into a chase and finally, authorities say, an arrest two miles away.

But police said they immediately faced a frustrating reality that November day. They charged the alleged gunman with a felony because he didn’t have a gun license. But for allegedly spraying bullets into a residential neighborhood? Police could charge him with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building — which carries all of a three-month sentence.

“It’s a misdemeanor,” said Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard.

Police and prosecutors pushed to change that Tuesday during a wide-ranging hearing that filled two rooms with advocates, legislators, and other officials, all pushing dozens of proposals designed to remake parts of Massachusetts’ already strict gun laws.

That includes Bard and Marian Ryan, the Middlesex County District Attorney, who asked lawmakers to subject anyone who intentionally or “recklessly” fires a gun — and poses a risk of injury to others — to a new felony statute that would carry up to five years in prison.

“This is a very common-sense measure that closes a gap in our law,” said Ryan, who described gunfire spewing from a car window last November as other people shopped at a nearby mall.

Massachusetts lawmakers have taken several steps to pad Massachusetts’ famously tight gun statutes in recent years, including banning bump stocks, creating an avenue for “red flag” petitions, and adding the state to a national database for background checks.

But as frustration mounts over inaction in Washington amid a growing list of mass shootings, debate rages even in Massachusetts over what changes can still be made here. And there are many, according to those who testified Tuesday.

The various bills ranged from setting up a process to analyze the data the state is collecting on firearms in Massachusetts to clamping down on so-called “ghost guns,” such as those assembled by ordering various firearm parts, by requiring they be given a unique serial number.

The legislation was filed in the wake of another arrest in Cambridge, where police say they recovered dozens of guns after a man — who did not have a license to carry firearms — allegedly ordered parts from dealers across the country. The investigation began after US Postal Service said it delivered 75 packages to his home, with items worth about $26,000 from firearm manufacturers.

Several Boston lawmakers and officials testified that the state can also do more in preventing not just the next potential mass shooting, but the gun violence that already peppers its own cities. “We do have power here today to tackle the issue of the illegal gun market, and make sure that we are taking steps to address that problem,” said state Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz.

Representative Chynah Tyler, a Roxbury Democrat, filed four bills that have the backing of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, including one that would limit most gun buyers — not including law enforcement, for example — from purchasing more than one firearm in a 30-day period.

Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross asked lawmakers to consider two different bills that he said could beef up information-sharing among police departments and allow the city to assess fees and fines on those whose cars are used to transport illegally owned guns.

The city, Gross said, has collected more than 4,000 firearms in the last five years, including more than 2,800 that police consider “crime guns.”

“One homicide is too many, one shooting’s too many,” he told the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security toward the end of his testimony.

Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts, argued that the state’s laws have been ineffective in preventing shootings and too often punish those who legally own guns.

One measure proposed by Representative David P. Linsky would require those seeking a license to undergo several hours of live firearm training, including shooting at least 50 rounds of ammunition. Linsky equated the state’s current gun laws to allowing someone to get their driver’s license without first taking a road test.

Wallace, however, argued that accidental shootings among those licensed to carry are rare. The proposal, he said, tries to address a “problem that doesn’t exist” and is simply another mandate on prospective gun owners.

“Please don’t regulate guns like cars,” Wallace said. “I often joke that if you come to one of our shooting ranges and you see a sign that says no texting and shooting, then you can come talk to us about firearm safety.”
View attachment 300078

Which one of you took a nap?
That guy was an anti, saw him in the hallway earlier.
 
Thanks to all the folks who spoke today. It's not easy to do even if you're passionate about it. I was right behind the "witness" table in the front row so could hear you all better than those in the back. I was happy we made a strong showing of numbers relative to the anti-gun crowd but in absolute terms well... I wish there were ten times as many.
 
Like a lot of people, I had trouble hearing what the speakers were saying, with the exception of Jim Wallace, he was loud and clear.
There were 3 guys in suits, I think they were Firefighters that spoke in favor of some proposed law. Anyone know what they were talking about? I think they spoke before the prison guard.
 
Like a lot of people, I had trouble hearing what the speakers were saying, with the exception of Jim Wallace, he was loud and clear.
There were 3 guys in suits, I think they were Firefighters that spoke in favor of some proposed law. Anyone know what they were talking about? I think they spoke before the prison guard.
If I remember correctly they were talking about the emergency response active shooter bill.
 
You got up and spoke, which is more than most of us did.



This is a great point, but of course they'll never do it. When the feds did this during the Clinton Administration, crime fell. If the state won't do it, the Feds should.

Back some years ago, we had NES name tags made. I still have mine, but forgot to bring it of course.



Great point Sir and thank you and thanks to all.
 
Thank you all who showed up.

There were many great 2a speakers.

I’d really like a video or transcript of Jim Wallace from GOAL. I heard he did a fine job.

I stayed until the end after arriving at 12:30pm.

As things were wrapping up Chairman Naughton gave 3 last calls for anyone left to testify. Nobody was left out. With nobody left the meeting was called to an end at about 4pm.

Myself and a couple others saw some committee members in the hall.

They spoke highly of Jim Wallace and all he had done. They said he’d always at the state house meeting with representatives.

Your dedication is appreciated Mr. Wallace.
You represent us well.

Donation incoming to GOAL. (DONE!)
 
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But police said they immediately faced a frustrating reality that November day. They charged the alleged gunman with a felony because he didn’t have a gun license. But for allegedly spraying bullets into a residential neighborhood? Police could charge him with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building — which carries all of a three-month sentence.

“It’s a misdemeanor,” said Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville G. Bard.
Which one of you took a nap?

I guess the Cambridge P.C. never heard of charging someone with attempted murder. Or malicious destruction of property, since we know that's a felony if you do as little as tap a Boston police officer's personal car with an umbrella when they are driving through a cross walk at a red light without stopping.
 
It was over an hour ago but there was a woman that was brutally raped and now carries a gun who testified. She was unbelievably brave. She called the legislatures racist and told them how expensive it was for her, the restrictiveness of the firearms laws and she clearly stated her concerns. She was well recognized by our side after she was done.

NECN included part of her testimony at the end of their story. It's heartbreaking watching her and hearing her story. It was tremendously brave of her to talk about her experience in that forum.

Panel Weighing Gun Bills Hear From Safety Activists, Owners
 
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