Mass. bill would let felons buy, carry arms!

Boston GLobe ^ | 7/11/2002 | By Chris Tangney, Globe Correspondent

[vannrox]

The state House yesterday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would weaken landmark gun control laws passed in 1998, voting for legislation that would allow convicted felons to legally obtain and carry a gun in Massachusetts.

Backed by House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran's leadership team, the bill passed 114-32 despite outraged gun control advocates and legislators who denounced the House for loosening gun restrictions while violent crime is on the rise.

[wimpycat]

So they want convicted felons to be able to own firearms, but they don't want anyone to smoke in bars, because that's dangerous!

[slouper]

"They have since served their country and are good citizens."

Served their country? Since when does doing time for being convicted of a felony constitute "serving your country"?

[SpinyNorman]

George: it really helps to live in Western Mass. We respect firearms out here. The chiefs are much more accomodating. I would hate to live inside the 128 beltway.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

It is probably a trap to force an increase in gun crime so they can force more gun control"

I admit, I thought the same thing as you when I saw this.

I think allowing convicted Felons the right to have guns is stupidity in its highest form!!

We are talking a FELONY here, not some mere traffic ticket. Lawbreakers lose privledges, and the sooner we figure that out.. the better!!

Take guns away from Criminals.. not law abiding citizens!!

[Semper Paratus]

I still believe that I'm breaking Mass law and would be liable for a one-year mandatory sentence.

You are, but almost all the convictions on the 1 year mandatory possession law are felons who cop a plea down to it.

[NativeSon]

I am a Mass resident and it took me 9 months and some political leverage to obtain my pistol license.

You need a license just to have a handgun? What about how you keep your gun in your home, is that regulated?

[vannrox]

Massachusetts Laws regarding Gun ownership and availability is horrific. I've lived in Massachusetts for five years now, and all of my firearms are in storage in another state.

Scoff... go ahead. But my landlord would report me in a heartbeat. The crime of just having an unliscensed firearm, let alone a pistol, is horrific. You are looking at a number of years without parole.

[NativeSon]

Yes. I agree with the poster that suggests that this is a trap

It may turn out to be a real reduction in these illegal laws BUT the Libs are doing the normal spin: "people will bring guns to church and football games, it'll be like the Wild-West, blah, blah, blah".

What needs to be done is to take a look at what is and what is not a felony.

-NativeSon, RKBA in PA

[Khepera]

I carry my gun in church.

[Shooter 2.5]

Article XVII. The people have a right to keep and to bear arms for the common defence. And as, in time of peace, armies are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be maintained without the consent of the legislature; and the military power shall always be held in an exact subordination to the civil authority, and be governed by it.

Any chance of a gun owner starting a lawsuit toward the state government?

[Feiny]

Wow...first Boxer approves of arming pilots

and now this......the apocolypse must be near.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Backed by House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran's leadership team, the bill passed 114-32 despite outraged gun control advocates and legislators who denounced the House for loosening gun restrictions while violent crime is on the rise.

Loosening? The staff at The Glob (not a typo) must be pi$$ing their collective knickers over there. I love it.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I still believe that I'm breaking Mass law and would be liable for a one-year mandatory sentence.

The mandatory 1 year sentence is for possession of an unregistered firearm.

[NativeSon]

I carry my gun in church.

better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[Khepera]

Yea and whats wrong with carrying a gun?

Man whats wrong with these anti gun people?

[NativeSon]

Scoff... go ahead. But my landlord would report me in a heartbeat. The crime of just having an unliscensed firearm, let alone a pistol, is horrific. You are looking at a number of years without parole.

I cringe at the thought of these illegal laws! UN-friggin- ba-leeeeve-able!

PA is not bad, no registration, shall issue CCW.

Are you serious about the landlord part? My version of the 'landlord and guns' issue is that when I was renting a house is West Chester, PA I advised the owner to never, ever, let himself in. I told him to always knock and wait, or make prior arrangements if I will not be home because I will shoot you dead.

[NativeSon]

Yea and whats wrong with carrying a gun?

Man whats wrong with these anti gun people?

I take care not to let others know that I am constantly armed. When conversing about guns in public my friends (and girlfriend) refer to our CC guns as our "Lawyers". Then we make jokes like, "my lawyer will be talking to you, and I'll have my lawyer fire off a few bullet pointed memos".

I have encountered a few anti-guns/anti-freedom dopes and I've managed to open some minds. A few I have been able to take to the range and they have become quite good and have purchased. Alot of them just don't get it, any part of it. You can actually see the light turn on in those that wake up, some have described it as taking control (of their safety)

[tomkat]

ditto
bump

[Bob J]

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