Dear Members of the Public Safety Committee
I am writing you to submit for your review, a written copy of the testimony I gave verbally to the Committee on Friday, September 13th 2013. This testimony is in opposition to the gun control bills before the committee that infringe on the Second Amendment. This testimony is in support of the G.O.A.L. supported bills, H.3264, H.3266, H.3267, H.3268, H.3269, H.3270, H.3271, H.2181, H.2182, H.3272, H.3273, H.2183, H.2184, H.3274, H.2145, H.3275, H.3276.
I am grateful to those committee members who stayed on throughout the hearing to listen to those of us who did not receive preferred placement in the order of testimony because of affiliations with larger groups. My testimony was not given until nearly 7:00 PM to a room that was mostly deserted and almost completely devoid of anyone who had spoken in favor of new restrictions.
I will embrace any opportunity to speak to any committee member(s) who have questions or would like to discuss my testimony further.
My testimony follows;
MA Public Safety Meeting Testimony
I was first here in 2010, and again in 2011 to testify about Massachusetts gun laws. Then, as now, I think we can all agree that something must be done to help stop gun violence. No one should be the victim of some deranged person who is determined to cause pain and suffering to another, be it through the use of a gun, or any other means. Now, I am here to testify again, this time, gravely concerned that the rights of law abiding citizens will be trampled on in the name of public safety.
Common Sense is a phrase frequently used by those pushing bills to create new restrictions and bans on firearms and ammunition. With all the laws that exist today, coupled with the level of crimes, common sense tells me that more restrictive laws are not the answer.
Criminals, by definition, do not follow laws. No law stopped recently convicted felon, Whitey Bulger, from having a virtual arsenal of guns, all of which must have been obtained illegally, given his fugitive status.
Criminals buy and sell guns illegally, without government checks. Criminals buy and sell 30 round magazines and don’t care about some kind of ammunition capacity law that is supposed to make their intended victims feel safe.
I ask the members of the committee, as well as those in the gallery, ‘isn’t common sense being able to read and understand a simple written sentence? For example, “A well regulated militia, being necessary for the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Doesn’t common sense tell us that new laws here in Massachusetts will not stop criminals from committing violent acts, or importing guns illegally for illegal sale to other criminals? Members of the committee, I urge you to use common sense and not pass any of these new restrictive proposed bills. Instead, work to eliminate the reasons people turn to violence and crime and imprison those that break the existing laws.
Sincerely
(My Name and Address)