Mr. Michael XXX
XXX
XXX, MA XXX
September 24, 2009
The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Senator James Timilty and Representative Michael Costello
Room 167 State House
Boston, MA 02133
Chairman Timilty and Chairman Costello:
I am writing to ask you to support H 2259 “An Act Relative to Civil Rights and Public Safety”.
In 1998, Massachusetts legislators and Governor Paul Cellucci passed legislation that was billed as the one of the toughest gun control laws in the country. The act's sponsor, Senator Cheryl Jacques (D-Needham) asserted, “This legislation will give Massachusetts the toughest gun control law in the country.” However since the law was passed, firearm-related crime has increased dramatically. According to the Massachusetts-based Gun Owner’s Action League, firearm-related deaths have increased by 68% and firearm-related assault injuries have increased by 72%. Emergency room visits as a result of firearm-related assaults have surged by an incredible 222%. Predictably, the number of peaceable, law-abiding citizens that call Massachusetts home has plummeted.
Needless to say, the Gun Control Act of 1998 has been a miserable failure.
In view of this, the answer clearly isn’t enacting more laws to hamstring the peaceable gun owners of Massachusetts. Our legislative efforts ought to be focused on enacting laws that protect the citizens’ right to own firearms and punish violent and dangerous criminal offenders.
As an active voter and GOAL member, I encourage you to support H 2259.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Mr. Michael XXX
(XXX, MA)