Dear Matthew,
Thank you for your recent email regarding the gun legislation, passed by the Senate yesterday. Over the past week, I have received many phone calls and emails making recommendations on this legislation. Throughout the last ten years as an elected official I have worked to protect the Second Amendment. After speaking with gun owners, listening to your stories and reading your emails, the importance of this issue to you was reinforced even more.
Before the debate yesterday I overwhelmingly heard feedback from individuals who wanted to ensure that language was removed which would have allowed individual police chiefs to use a “suitability” decision to deny someone their FID card. Subsequently, I voted to remove this clause from the Senate version of the bill in order to keep the law as it stands currently.
I also supported removing pepper spray and mace from the FID card requirements for individuals over the age of 18, as many had requested. Within the Senate legislation, I also supported tougher penalties for criminals and the creation of new crimes for gun-related offenses to punish those who are acting unlawfully with a firearm. Also, this bill includes provisions for the expansion of mental health services and increased protections for children in school.
This legislation comes after a year and a half of hearings, letters, emails and face-to-face meetings with my constituents. I take the rights afforded under the Second Amendment very seriously and I appreciate you taking the time to express to me your concerns and thoughts on the legislation, amendments, and the issue as a whole.
This legislation will now move to a Conference Committee to reconcile the two versions of passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. I will continue to advocate once the Conference Committee is appointed and I hope you will as well.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I you have any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Jennifer L. Flanagan
State Senator
Worcester & Middlesex District