Healey "closing the loophole" letter to gun dealers

[Shooter28]

I moved in NJ back in 09 so its been a long time since Ive logged on here. My family lives in MA still so I like to stay in the loop with this stuff. Ive been calling and emailing the governor and reps as well. Def got a few "wtf is NJ calling me" responses at first haha. I wish I could show up this weekend and stake out with you guys but can't get up there this weekend.

Perhaps the manufacturers should announce that since it is illegal to sell these weapons in Massachusetts, they regrettably will not be able to sell these weapons to any law enforcement agency within the state.

Larue started doing this after Sandy Hook.

 

[ivarr]

Bans, approved roster, several versions of LTC's (and an FID). May issue, storage laws, mag limits, etc...

I cannot take this shit... What part of I swear to uphold the constitution was so tough to remember???? You failed your oath. You failed the people of this state. You do not have to agree with the constitution, but you do not have the right or authority to screw with it. Your job is to uphold it, personal opinions aside.

there is not a single politician in this country that didn't have their fingers crossed as they " swore " their oath

 

[larueminati]

Perhaps the manufacturers should announce that since it is illegal to sell these weapons in Massachusetts, they regrettably will not be able to sell these weapons to any law enforcement agency within the state.

I was at a LGS the other day and a cop came in to see if he could still purchase, the owner replied " I don't know" and left it at that.

 

[Horrible]

This is the one unifying issue with respect to frau Healey's decree - the one thing that could resonate with the common MA voter or politician. Do we want to live in a state where one person can ignore legislative intent, decades of interpretation and precedent, and all context and common sense in applying her own absurdly contorted interpretation/imagination of statutory law? My house cat example from a few pages back sounded ridiculous, but what's the difference? What's stopping her from banning kitchen knives on the basis that they share common features with switchblades? Or regular old porn because it has features common with kiddie porn? Or pet dogs because they're similar to wolves?

Exactly. Like my abortion example earlier in this thread. Or the Truck/SUV example.

 

[chris_1001]

there is not a single politician in this country that didn't have their fingers crossed as they " swore " their oath

That may fly on the 2nd grade playground, but now (always) should be a reason to get booted from office and charged.

I know a lot of anti's. Fine, you have your 1A and can bitch and whine. But you don't get the right to change it.

Everyday there is a sworn person assaulting the Constitution. People who break their oath. Yet no action is taken.

 

[ivarr]

no action is taken.

and there never will be.

 

[jasons]

I had a customer bring this up to me.

Ar10 lowers. Well, that is kind of like an AR15 but in a different caliber (which the AG said is no good). But how many AR15 parts work in a 308? Not the mags, not the parts kits, not the bolt, not the barrel. Not the uppers. So are those ok?

Call the AG and ask. Specifically ask about the "similarity test."

Similarity Test: A weapon is a Copy or Duplicate if its internal functional components are substantially similar in construction and configuration to those of an Enumerated Weapon. Under this test, a weapon is a Copy or Duplicate, for example, if the operating system and firing mechanism of the weapon are based on or otherwise substantially similar to one of the Enumerated Weapons.​

 

[Shawnyc]

I was at a LGS the other day and a cop came in to see if he could still purchase, the owner replied " I don't know" and left it at that.

Good on that shop (name?). The waters are so muddy right now we should either go about our business as normal, or sell to NOBODY.

- - - Updated - - -

Call the AG and ask. Specifically ask about the "similarity test."

Similarity Test: A weapon is a Copy or Duplicate if its internal functional components are substantially similar in construction and configuration to those of an Enumerated Weapon. Under this test, a weapon is a Copy or Duplicate, for example, if the operating system and firing mechanism of the weapon are based on or otherwise substantially similar to one of the Enumerated Weapons.​

Sounds to me AR-10's are exempt, but I don't think the AG's office could give a straight answer.

 

[chris_1001]

It would be great if somehow (and I'm just dreaming so don't beat me up here) this BS could be used to nullify the List and the ban.

Shows the people writing these laws are not qualified to decide on such matters.

 

[Sparky123]

Healey got her 15 minutes of fame. Unfortunately it was at our expense. Even if she leaves office, which I believe she will after November, we still have to clean up her mess. This woman has to be held accountable for this reckless act.

 

[JJ4]

Keep up the calls and emails. Press the legislature to do something this weekend.

My email to Timilty and Naughton

Dear Sen. Timilty and Rep. Naughton (as chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security):



I write to express my displeasure at Attorney General Maura Healey's actions on July 20th regarding the Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban.


You have likely received many pieces of correspondence on this matter - so I will not repeat the common points.


In 2014, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held hearings on several firearms safety bills proposed by Speaker DeLeo and Gov. Patrick. I attended a hearing - arriving sometime around 11am and remaining until I was literally the last person to testify, I believe around 8:30pm. To your credit, the committee listened carefully to hours of testimony. In the end, everyone came to the table in good faith and a bill was passed into law that addressed several issues brought forth by "both sides". At the time, there was a process, the public was involved, and the rule of law prevailed in the legislature.


AG Healey has just thrown all of that away. She has bypassed the legislature, bypassed the public trust, and bypassed the law. This cannot be allowed to stand, as it sets a dangerous precedent that anything is open for broad interpretation.


I ask that you take immediate action to stop this action by AG Healey.

 

[mpd61]

Got it thanks. But are our state laws subject to the same interpretation that the federal courts concluded, or is having our own state laws even though written similarly (identically) to the federal ban subject to Maura Healy's unique personal interpretation?

FIFY

The Answer is Yes, Maura Healy just did that. It will take a Federal Court to rule her interpretation of the existing law as BS, or the Mass Legislature can somehow take up the matter and fix it.......We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[jasons]

Rommel, what he is trying to say is that the law is much more than what you read as black letter law: There is case law and opinions on this topic that go back TWENTY TWO YEARS. The totality of all of that information constitutes what the law is as it stands today. All lawyers know this, it is taught from day one in law school. She just doesn't give a shit.

Not to mention legislative intent, which is pretty clear when you read through the history of the original federal AWB and the different versions that we debated before it passed.

 

[jasons]

By their own definition it's not an " Assault Weapon " or a copy. It doesn't have the ability to attach a flash hider considering a muzzle device is pinned and welded on. It doesn't have a telescoping stock seeing it's pinned. It doesn't have a bayonet lug , or the ability to attach a grenade launcher. By their own definition it's not a copy.

Yep, she's basically adding a bunch of new features that aren't in the law and calling them legal tests. This goes way beyond "interpretation."

 

[El_Guapo77]

And anyone who has done this since prohibition is now a felon, but I will not prosecute you at this time...

Think of the children!

 

[Shawnyc]

Email from Shooting Supply of Westport:

Neil has agreed to lead caravan to the Quincy T station
and show people how to use the T to easily get into Boston.
Please meet here at Shooting Supply for 8 AM Saturday morning. If you are leaving a car, please park on Washington Street on the side of the cement block wall.
You will need at least $20 for parking and T fare.

Take a Stand, don’t take this lying down.

 

[sixer]

Response from Joe McKenna, my state rep:

Hi [sixer],

I'm with you 100%.

I was certainly very upset and disappointed to read about the AG's declaration Wednesday morning. I share your concerns, and look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that 2nd amendment rights are preserved for all law-abiding MA citizens! In particular I know that the GOP caucus, and me personally, is already working with GOAL and others to discuss what steps might be taken. I know that they are working with their National partners to find solutions. I will be taking part in the rally at the State House tomorrow, and will be following up with a meeting with GOAL to determine what I can do to help. While AG Healey claims that she's simply implementing the law, I find it extremely hard to believe that Martha Coakley wouldn't have taken those steps over the past 8 years if it was legal.

Regards,

Joseph McKenna
State Representative
18th Worcester District
(617) 722-2060

 

[jasons]

No one knows. This is very new. But right now she is only after dealers. Individuals are alright... For now.

That's not strictly true. Nothing in her guidance precludes the prosecution of individuals who obtain a newspeak AWB gun unless they obtained it "prior to July 20, 2016." I don't see how you could win with an estoppel defense after that date if a DA decides to "get tough on crime."

 

[Goliathan]

.

 

[Matt80]

Response from Senator Flanagan:

Dear Matt,

Thank you for your email. The Attorney General should not have changed this law without any sort of public process or input from gun owners. I learned of this change through the news this week and was not given any information prior to her press conference. I have many questions about what this means for law abiding gun owners in Massachusetts and I am working with my colleagues on next steps. I do support the rights of responsible, licensed gun owners in the state and I appreciate you sharing your concerns with me.


Respectfully,
Jennifer L. Flanagan
State Senator
Worcester & Middlesex District

 

[jasons]

Sounds to me AR-10's are exempt, but I don't think the AG's office could give a straight answer.

I don't see how you can glean that out of her guidance, but I'd love to hear what the AGO has to say.

 

[Horrible]

Response from Senator Flanagan:

Dear Matt,

Thank you for your email. The Attorney General should not have changed this law without any sort of public process or input from gun owners. I learned of this change through the news this week and was not given any information prior to her press conference. I have many questions about what this means for law abiding gun owners in Massachusetts and I am working with my colleagues on next steps. I do support the rights of responsible, licensed gun owners in the state and I appreciate you sharing your concerns with me.


Respectfully,
Jennifer L. Flanagan
State Senator
Worcester & Middlesex District

I have been in touch with my State Rep as well. She was on vacation in ME when this all hit and was blindsided as well.

She came back and is at the Statehouse and met with GOAL this am. But I have no feedback yet on where she stands.

Now that the Repub Convention is over, there is going to be a bit more of a spotlight on this crap in the media.

Baker now "Asking for Clarity" on this whole thing after he already came out and said that he supporter her and that her interpretation of the law is correct!!

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/lo...asking_for_clarity_on_ag_s_ban_of_some_rifles

Looks like our calls and emails may be having an effect? Keep it up!

 

[copterdoctor]

http://www.guns.com/2016/07/22/mass-semi-auto-crackdown-results-in-2549-rifles-sold-in-one-day/

 

[Shawnyc]

I don't see how you can glean that out of her guidance, but I'd love to hear what the AGO has to say.

Just being optimistic, but force her to explain.

 

[Jason Flare]

Mrs Flare got as far as, My puns are koala tea and was stumped from there.

 

[warwickben]

Mrs Flare got as far as, My puns are koala tea and was stumped from there.

Quality .

Boris will find it funnier since my friend said a few commie theme word play jokes to him at dinner one night .

 

[Shawnyc]

I think my poster-board will read:

AG Healey
ASSAULTED
my rights and should be
banned from MA

I'll have my kids decorate it with glitter so they can say when they get older they helped overthrow a communist AG.

 

[Wrench75]

people, we did this to ourselves. i'd bet my life this is the response from that tv news piece that aired not too long ago that had a mass dealer telling the wcvb news crew the only difference between this killy assault rifle and the massachusetts compliant killy assault rife is a non-collapsible stock, a muzzle device instead if a flash suppressor and the absence of a bayonet lug. i believe it was mentioned also that besides those features the rifles are identical. i watched that when it aired with my head in my hands. well, this is the result. healey's phone lines must have lit up like the national christ...err...holiday tree. the coincidence is just too much too ignore. some of you might remember there was a lot of chatter on the boards here about it being prudent to talk to the press at all cause nothing good could ever come out of it.

The flash-hider stupidity always got me. A MD mitigates recoil making the rifle more accurate with faster follow up shots. A FH does exactly the opposite. Hell I may very well pull the flash can off my AR pistol in favor of a MD because, sexiness aside, the muzzle flip pisses me off.

 

[CrackPot]

The more thought I give to this, the more I think this stunt is to help Healey break the career rut all the MA AGs have suffered from. She thinks this will bring her national attention and a position inside the federal AG office should Shillary buy/steal the election.

 

[TLB]

Spoke to Rep Brad Hill. He is always great on these issues. He agrees with what we have been discussing in this thread. He indicated some Ds are definitedly concerned with this in the house.

He suggested we call and email Speaker Deleo so that he hears from us.