Bill would urge ban on pellet, BB guns

The Boston Globe ^ | November 8, 2006 | Raja Mishra

[Disturbin]

New Bedford city councilors will vote tomorrow on a measure that urges state legislators to ban pellet, BB, and replica guns, weeks after a 38-year-old man was fatally shot by police after drawing a pellet gun. Brian K. Gomes , councilor at large, said he plans to introduce a motion that would call on the city's Beacon Hill delegation, as well as legislative leaders, to push for a wide-ranging ban on fake firearms that could confuse police. The proposed bill would ban all sales of BB and pellet guns, as well as replicas of handguns and sawed-off shotguns, unless they are brightly colored. "If the requested legislation is passed, future tragedies . . . will be reduced or averted because there will be fewer legal pellet guns, BB guns, and no replicas that could be mistaken for the real thing," said Gomes. "There has been enough heartbreak caused by previous misfortunes and tragic events occurring throughout the Commonwealth." ..... Under Gomes's proposal, Massachusetts residents would be given a grace period to turn in such weapons or to paint them bright colors.

[Disturbin]

Here is what GOAL (the Gun Owner's Action League of Mass) is doing in response:

http://www.goal.org/news/NewBedford.htm

[Disturbin]

"He also suggested that state lawmakers could establish a buyback program."

Another dynamite idea!

{sarc}

[Names Ash Housewares]

You'll shoot your eye out kid!

[NapkinUser]

Won't be much longer and nothing will be legal in Massachusetts. Even their leftist legislature cannot possibly be this dumb, right?

"He also suggested that state lawmakers could establish a buyback program."

They've worked so well in the past.....not.

[Felis_irritable]

"...previous misfortunes and tragic events..."

Apparently this *very sophisticated* New Englander thinks none of the rest of us are smart enough to recognize suicide by cop.

Or he's just looking for an excuse.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

after drawing a pellet gun.

Man, imagine what would have happened if he was reading a book about BB guns, not just drawing them?

[snoringbear]

If they want my "Red Rider", they will have to come pry it from my cold, peanut butter and jelly stained fingers....

[rackatoot]

Except homosexual marriage.

[eastforker]

So what happens when a criminal paints his Bushmaster bright orange and starts shooting people. Will the police leave him alone?

[appleharvey]

We have become the United States of metrosexuals.

[paul51]

I get sick of these self anointed that believe their purpose is to protect the the lowly from themselves

[RightWhale]

This is insane. If it happens here I would be forced to shoot squirrels off the house with my 45. That might disturb the neighbors' aim.

[Sloth]

"If the requested legislation is passed, future tragedies . . . will be reduced or averted

How was this a tragedy? Guy draws a weapon, they put him down... it's Miller time.

[snoringbear]

eastforker, that's an easy one; orange paint will become a controlled substance. One will have to fill out a form and purchases will be monitored and tracked much the same as large fertilizer purchases are.

[dvan]

Well they have already expelled kids from school for pointing their finger at each other!

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

From your link:

a proposal was introduced before the New Bedford City Council to ban future sales of air guns, require licensing for existing air guns, and require that existing air guns be painted fluorescent colors.

I say get a petition together to be put on the next ballot. It could read something like the following: Due to their immature, and very dangerous nature, all Bedford City Council members must be clothed entirely in fluorescent colors at all times.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Is it something in the water up there?

---

SENATE, No. 1384
By Mr. Shannon, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1384) of Charles E. Shannon, Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., David P. Linsky and Paul J. Donato for legislation relative to the possession of a machete. Public Safety and Homeland Security


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

---

In the Year Two Thousand and Five.

---

AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE POSSESSION OF A MACHETE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.

Subsection (b) of section 10 of chapter 269 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2002 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting after the word “inches”, in line 67, the following word:- , machete.

SECTION 2. Said subsection (b) of said section 10 of said chapter 269, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraph:-

For purposes of this section, “machete” means “a heavy knife at least 18 inches in length and having a blade at least 1.5 inches wide at its broadest measurement. This subsection shall not apply to carrying a machete on one’s person or in a vehicle if the machete is carried for the purpose of cutting vegetation or if the machete is being transported for the purpose of cutting vegetation. In a prosecution of a violation of this subsection, there shall be a permissible inference that such carrying of a machete is not for the purposes of cutting vegetation. Such presumption may be rebutted.

Any individual who requires a machete for the purposes of cutting vegetation shall register the machete with the local police department on an annual basis and, upon payment of an appropriate annual registration fee as determined by the local granting authority, shall be issued a permit authorizing him to possess the machete solely for the purposes of cutting vegetation.

[George Smiley]

he plans to introduce a motion that would call on the city's Beacon Hill delegation, as well as legislative leaders, to push for a wide-ranging ban on fake firearms that could confuse police.

I guess that would be easier than getting smarter policemen.

[Disturbin]

Exactly.

How about banning morons who draw firearms (fake or not) at police?

[elkfersupper]

I lived in Massachusetts for three years in the late 1970's.

I seem to recall rocks and pointy sticks all over the place.

What are they doing about those?