Guns Restricted In Massachusetts Still Find Their Way In

By Anthony Brooks
Mar 15, 2011, 3:50 PM
56 Comments

Attendees at a gun show in Houston sort through potential purchases. (M Glasgow/Flickr)

Massachusetts restricts the sales of certain types of assault weapons, but that doesn’t prevent them from being brought in from out of state. Nor does it prevent guns acquired illegally in other states from crossing the border and falling into the hands of Massachusetts criminals.

Guests:

John Rosenthal, co-founder, Stop Handgun Violence
Kenneth Lavallee, superintendent, Lowell Police Department
Jim Wallace, executive director, Gun Owners’ Action League

Other stories from this show:

Relief11

Why does the NRA not want suspected terrorists to have gun purchase background checks?

FedUP in MA

Because who defines a “suspected terrorist”? All the feds need to do is deem everyone as a suspected terrorist via the Patriot Act and voila, back to square one.
Brian Pimentel

We are entitled to due process, innocent until proven guilty. You can’t take a persons rights away because someone somewhere thinks they may have or might do something illegal.
Matt Koestner

Please remember that the NRA is the other half of the country not some nameless, faceless entity. It’s me, my neighbors, and your neighbors. The NRA is representing our views, not forcing them on us like the antis would have everyone believe.
http://mafirearmsafety.com Mark

Your buying into the ‘progressive’ left wing anti Constitution, anti gun group lie that there are ‘loop holes’ at gun shows. It is a firm communist belief that if you tell a big enough lie long enough that people will begin to see it as the truth. This is the hope of the left wing wind bags. The truth is that you go through the same paperwork and backgroud check at a gun show that you would go through at any gun store by law. NICS etc.
MitchRx7

The suspected terrorist list has a low hurdle to get it, as in “OOPS we had the name wrong.” You can’t take a persons natural right to defense with out a reliable system.
Lee Metford

Relief11,

This question is pretty disingenuous in the way it is framed. It uses fear of nameless, faceless “suspected terrorists” to obscure the fact that our rights are at risk. You could say the same thing about warrentless searches; Why does the ACLU not want the police to be able to search the homes of suspected terrorists? The answer to both questions is because it allows the government to violate protected rights of all citizens.

More importantly, this proposed legislation doesn’t target “suspected terrorists” it targets EVERYONE including those that wants to transfer a firearm to a friend, neighbor, coworker, or loved one.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a terrorist and I don’t want to be treated like one. I am more interested in ensuring we have a government that will fulfill it’s obligation and protect my rights and the rights of all citizens. I have no interest in perpetuating a self-interested government that is all too willing to jettison our rights to pander to the irrational fears of the skiddish for short-term political gain.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/7GO2AJX4XHDB66XLLQWI3KFGKE Bp N

Why does John Rosenthal have an unrestricted firearm license ?
Why didn’t he tell his CLEO he only wanted a LTC for T&H ?

Does he think its ok for women to vote ?
Does he think Blacks are not American citizens ?

If the problems with illegal gun is due to lax laws in other states,
why is there a push to have more laws and restrictions in Mass. ?
MFT

Adding more gun laws to MA is not going to do much, if anything, to stop violence here in MA. We have laws against drugs, and there are still plenty of them around to get into any one’s hands. The anti-gun groups continue to exaggerate and mis-lead the general public into thinking that if guns are made harder to get legally, then somehow the criminals will stop using guns to commit gun crimes.
MstrMsn

Does Rosenthal even know what he’s talking about?

“Massachusetts has the most comprehensive gun laws in the nation” Really, John? Then explain why even prosecutors in this state have a difficult time making the distinction between a felon and a lawful gun owner. Also, explain why you are calling for more restrictive gun laws, as opposed to actual enforcement of criminal law? You really should be calling on the law makers and enforcers to keep the criminals in jail, to actually uphold the convictions, and not the the criminals plea to lesser charges that often don’t include firearms violations. These will help curb much of the handgun violence that you are supposedly trying to stop.

Though, I highly doubt someone like Rosenthal actually cares about getting the criminals off the streets and making it safer for everyone. I also doubt he’s man enough to respond to this without using all the whiny banter that anti-gun nuts love to spew.
John Dalco

Rosenthal lives in a fantasy world. . . The gun grabbers don’t have a clue. All they see is how to take away our rights. Disarming the law abiding citizen does nothing but it makes them feel good. Time and agian all over the world it has been proven that gun controld dosent work. Look at the UK and Auzies. . . sorry folks, time to give up and get our rights back. Everywhere that has made it easier for citizens to get guns has seen crime go DOWN. Face the facts. Overall Gun sales in the US have been at record highs since 2008 and crime has gone DOWN based on Federal numbers. . . .
MstrMsn

NRA Blood money? Seriously John? Could you be any more out of touch with reality? Politicians know that the more restrictive they get, the easier it’s going to be for them to lose their seat come the next election. They are doing it to save their jobs. And they should be very worried about losing them.

Seriously, banning hi-cap mags (not clips, idiot) means nothing to the criminals. Or, do you people have absolutely no clue what a criminal is, or how they operate? If the answer is yes, then you really need to find another cause, if the answer is no, then you are obviously looking the other way as far as criminals are concerned.

A little secret: Even IF all the hi-cap mags in this country were destroyed, something like VA Tech still would have happened. It takes less then 3 seconds to reload a semi-automatic handgun, and roughly 5 seconds to reload a revolver. Or, are you so opposed to firearms, you don’t understand that.

Yes, I know John has a LTC, but that doesn’t really mean anything. I know people that have unrestricted LTCs, and are way better shots than me, that have no idea what its like to reload under “combat” conditions…. the bad guys do.

Kb2504

I disagree with your assessment that politicians who vote for more restrictive gun laws in MA would lose their job. If MA passed a law declaring ALL gun ownership illegal and instituted mandatory gun confiscations, the majority of MA residents would vote them right back in. Guaranteed. I really believe it would not even be a close call.

MstrMsn

“Massachusetts restricts the sales of certain types of assault weapons, but that doesn’t prevent them from being brought in from out of state. Nor does it prevent guns acquired illegally in other states from crossing the border and falling into the hands of Massachusetts criminals.”

The ONLY way to stop this is to seal off the state, have 5 ways in/out, and have the State Police manning checkpoints at these locations, searching every single car/truck/package/whatever coming in. Of course, that creates many problems as well as infringing on several of our Constitutional rights, mainly the 4th and 14th amendments.

So, time to wake up and face reality. Illegal guns are going to come in, regardless. Instead of crying about it and restricting the lawful gun owners, try dealing with the criminals. Keep them off the streets, stop making deals with them to get the “bigger fish”, because there will ALWAYS be someone bigger.

Nlaren

Of course sealing off the State as you point out would only stop those who drive in. There are small airports, sea ports and marinas and then there is the the ability to walk across the State line.

John Rosenthal and his ilk are knee jerk fools interested in the power they can acquire through each tragic event that occurs.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=610868763 John W. O’Brien III

hi capacity MAGAZINE John, *not* clip…
a clip, loads a magazine, a magazine loads a gun…. it’s clear you know NOTHING about guns, and you have no business speaking out about them, since you CLEARLY don’t know WTF you’re talking about… that’s just one small example.

keep guns out of the hands of CRIMINALS, and stop treating LAW ABIDING CITIZENS like criminals.
Gary Wilk

Recently, in Pittsfield, a high schoool student was convicted of stealing a handgun, defacing the serial number, and bringing the pistol to school. He was sentenced to a mere 60 days, concurant sentences, in the local House of Correction. This was a slap in the face to all licensed Massachussetts gun owners who must be deemed ” suitable persons ” by the commonwealth to be issued a gun license and then, at the point of purchase, fill out a Federal Form 4473, a MA Form FA 10, and then pass the Federal NICS background check and the MA MIRCS background check! The courts habitually abdticate their responsibility to punish people who committ crimes with guns.
MstrMsn

I sent an email to John @ Stop Handgun Violence, asking why they are going after lawful gun owners, and not the criminals that commit these crimes.

Almost a week ago, with absolutely no reply.
John Kramer

Massachusetts gun cotrol laws are stupid. We all must stand up and tell all our state and local legislators to elminate all of our gun control laws. We all need to work together to get all of our state and local legislators to listen to us. We must do it now. Put some bumper sticers on your car speaking out against gun control. You can put a lot of them on your car. I can’t do this all by myself.
We all have to speak up. We all must speak up together. We need to speek up loud.

Kb2504

John, you can’t do it alone and you can’t do it with EVERY second amendment supporter in the state of MA. We are a pitiful minority with NO hope of being the majority. The only resolution is to move out of MA.
The idea we will ever be able to change the left wing mentality of the majority of MA residents is ludicrous. The Left is super entrenched in this state and you and I will be long dead before that ever changes.

Lee Metford

What is amazing is that John Rosenthal stated several times, in one way or another, that the laws aren’t stopping criminals from getting guns. What floors me is Rosenthal knows these laws aren’t work, yet he believes more laws will work. It is as if Rosenthal can’t let go of his failed stratagy and that somehow prevents him from coming up meaningful, useful solutions. I was somewhat suprised that Anthony Brooks didn’t call him on laws not working. I was under the impression that Brooks was a better interviewer then that. Brooks’ performance was dissapointing.
Haverhill

In 1998, Massachusetts lawmakers passed what they said was one of the toughest gun control laws in the country.

Yet, in the decade since the laws were passed, firearm-related crime has increased dramatically. Gun-related deaths alone have increased by 68%, and gun-related assault injuries have increased by 72%. Emergency room visits due to gun-related assaults have increased by a whopping 222%.

The answer isn’t more gun control laws.

It’s better laws.

We need to take illegal weapons out of the hands of criminals and put those criminals in jail. We also need to respect law-abiding citizens’ right to own a firearm.
John Kramer

I am sick and tired of all dumd and stupid gun control laws in Massachusetts. Put a lot of bumper stickers on your car denouncing gun control laws. You can get those kinds of bumpr stickers in
army- navy stores and at gun shows.

Kb2504

Oh yeah, that’s going to help. Are you aware a MA police officer can take your gun permit away simply because he doesn’t like the color of your shirt, never mind your bumper sticker? And good luck EVER getting it back. Best policy in MA is keep your gun concealed, (with permit), keep your mouth shut to ANYONE that you carry, and don’t put gun rights bumper stickers on your car.

Joe America

Repeal Massachusetts Gun Laws:

Massachusetts once was the cradle of liberty and freedom. Today Massachusetts is the epitome of an authoritative, restrictive, “we know what is best for you government”. Massachusetts has the most restrictive, confusing, comprehensive, and ineffective gun laws in America and yet they want more.

The Massachusetts state government continuously erodes our freedom and liberty on an incremental basis. If not stopped the state government will continue to do this until our freedoms are completely gone. I am sure our founding fathers would be outraged by what, “We the People”, have allowed to happened in Massachusetts.

The thinking is always that gun crimes are directly related to a lack of laws. So, the thought process always is; if we pass another law then gun crimes and violence will be go away. This is total nonsense! It is an old argument that is based upon illogical thinking that criminals obey laws. We have adult legislators and government officials fully engaged in childish magical thinking on a level with toddlers. Think of a child that covers their face and eyes with a blanket and believes that if they can’t see you, then you can’t see them; this is magical thinking.

Too many adults who are often ignorant and or afraid of firearms believe that if we just pass another law, ban another firearm, ban magazines over ten rounds, ban semi-automatic rifles, ban this, ban that, then the criminals will not have them and their gun crimes will just disappear and society will be safe. These adults seem to fear the object, the gun, more than they fear the criminals, and yet it is the criminal that causes the crime.

The fact is, criminals by definition do not care about gun laws, restrictions, or bans. They will obtain the gun of their choice, with the accessories of their choice, and use the combination to perform the illegal act of their choice regardless of any present written law or new law being considered.

The people who obey the laws are those who already choose to be positive members of society. Present and future laws only serve to burden them, reduce their freedom, and in the case of firearms, and gun-free zones, often place them in peril allowing the criminal to kill them with all the freedom and libery that the government has taken from the good citizen victim. Honest citizens, good, honorable, law abiding US citizens, have the right to own, carry, and use firearms for self defense or any other legal reason with full legal access to all related accessories.

We have millions of career criminals roaming our streets everyday, planning their next crime, perhaps engaging in that crime as you read this. The local police know who they are. They have already established themselves as non-conforming members of society to the police. They have often already turned the revolving door several times of the justice system. They have no concerns about gun laws. They have no problem killing with a gun or by any other means. They have already performed countless crimes and have had many interactions with the police, and yet they walk your streets every day and you stand next to them in the check-out line. You look right at them, but have no fear in the classic state of ignorance is bliss. These are the individuals most likely to commit another crime with a gun or by other means. The laws do not affect them, they don’t care about laws. They will do as they choose. Why is this high-risk group allowed to be free?

Where are the special interest groups to promote a solution to this problem? Where is the national outrage? Where is the “ Society for Tougher Sentences for Criminals?” The “National Organization for Banning Criminals?” The Criminal Anti-Violence Policy Center?” Why are there no interviews on this topic on Meet The Press, or Face the Nation ?

Where has our national intelligence gone that we focus on the object as the root of the problem rather than the mindset, the motivation, societal influence, and in some cases the mental health, of the individuals that commit gun crimes or any other crimes? This is where we should focus our attention.

Massachusetts should have “Constitutional Carry” equivalent to or with greater freedom than Vermont, Alaska, Arizona, Wyoming, and soon to be New Hampshire. There should be no restrictions on magazines, semi-automatic rifles, handguns, shotguns, ammunition, etc. with very few exceptions.

The Massachusetts laws currently not only violate the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, but also violate interstate commerce laws by prohibiting state to state transactions of firearms that are legal in other states, but cannot be sold to Massachusetts residents.

The disruption of interstate commerce is also true for ammunition and ammunition components used for re-loading for those trying to save money while enjoying the shooting sports. Massachusetts residents cannot buy items on line after finding items with bargain pricing simply because of where they live. Try ordering bulk ammunition or reloading components from reputable companies such as Cabala’s, Midway-USA, Able Arms, etc. They cannot ship these items to Massachusetts residents because of our restrictive laws.

CMR-940-16 should be abolished, as well as the other restrictions to law abiding Massachusetts residents. CMR-940-16 in part, is a select list of firearms of approved by the office of the Attorney General. Through the creation of CMR-940-16, the office of the Attorney General is practicing anti-gun law creation under the guise of protecting the public from unsafe goods, or shoddy merchandise. The office of the Attorney General should not be creating defacto laws based upon personal political values. We have a legislature for creating laws.

These same firearms, banned in Massachusetts, are in most cases considered high quality, top-shelf items, that are manufactured by many of the same companies that produce firearms for our US military, but are not full military version firearms. Some of the Massachusetts banned firearms have established designs dating back to 1873, such as the model 1873 Colt single action revolver. This revolver is well designed, time tested, still made by colt, but by utilizing state of the art machines, modern steel, and modern technology is better than ever. This firearm is considered a prized possession by many shooting sports enthusiasts but is banned in Massachusetts. If you live in other states you can buy one, but not in Massachusetts. This is a significant restriction on freedom as well as an overreach by the office of the Attorney General.

Massachusetts residents are loosing their liberty and freedom, “one brick at a time”. One day you will wake-up when the brick wall is complete and wonder how this happened—think about it…

Ishiman

A lot of good things said Joe and let me add something else. I am an avid outdoorsman. I shoot three days a weeks , so I need to reload myself . I have to drive to Conn. or New Hampshire to buy what I need . I drive to Cabelas . I eat in Conn. restaurants and stay in Conn hotels . I shop their local stores while I am there .I am one person and I am spending thousands of dollars in another state . I am buying a Conn. hunting license .Something is definitely wrong with this picture.

Kb2504

So why don’t you MOVE to CT? I don’t understand why you would continue to reside in MA. The sheep of MA will NEVER wake up.

TOMMYFULLER103

MY BALLOON KNOT IS KILLING ME!
AlTrant439

Is this really any surprise to lawmakers that so called banned or illegal firearms are making it back into the state? Isn’t heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, all banned in every state in the country? Aren’t we spending hundreds of millions of dollars fighting that drug war? Aren’t we working with all sorts of countries in that fight? And yet organized crime has turned it into a billion dollar business that we can’t stop.

What makes the lawmakers feel a ban on firearms or magazines will work? What makes them feel they can make those bans work, when we can’t make other bans work even in the face of spending hundreds of millions, support from many outside countries, federal government, FBI, CIA, DEA? Does any governor really feel they can do what no other organization, country, or government has been able to do? Name one country that has banned illegal drugs and was successful?

Thinking rational here; a person about to commit a multiple homicide which typically ends in life in prison or a death penalty, isn’t going to be worried about running afoul of a firearm or high-capacity ban. They are either going to be shot by police, take their own life, or are not expecting to be caught. Murder is a higher penalty than a weapons charge, and they are willing to cross that line, the ban on a firearm or magazine size is inconsequential.

More rational thinking; if you give a criminal two target neighborhoods for their home invasion, which would they choose. 1. A neighborhood with signs in each yard declaring support for the recently passed firearms ban. 2. A neighborhood with signs in each yard declaring support for legalized firearm ownership and self defense training. Any criminal will tell you they fully support a total firearms ban, since they fear an armed homeowner more than the police. The criminals will have no problem getting a firearm from their local drug dealer, and knowing all the homeowners in their target area will be unarmed because firearms are banned will just embolden them.

Ever wonder by criminals pick places like schools for mass shootings. Gun free zone. Pretty much a guarantee no one will shoot back!

Criminal; “Damn, I was going to go kill 30 people in a school to take out my anger with society. But the school is a gun free zone, and my 30 round clip is banned. I certainly can’t violate those laws in order to commit a mass murder. What to do… what to do…”

http://mafirearmsafety.com Mark

Bingo! You can not legislate away bad intensions.

Tom Decker

The legislators of the state of Massachusetts have lost their way. They have finally become totally lost in their attempt to actually protect it’s citizens and have become nothing more than entitled political animals who desire nothing more than to wield their power over the very constituents who PUT them in their jobs. They constantly try to enact laws that actually create new ways for their lawful gun owners to BECOME criminals all the while ignoring those that habitually break the laws already in place, (more laws than ANYONE else has against guns), and simply making every effort to take her citizen’s rights away. The various bills under review right now will try to do everything from putting GPS in every gun sold, to microstamping, to outlawing lever, bolt and pump action long guns. THIS all is being considered while cases like Gary Wilk mentioned occur every day, or even worse, gun charges against a drug felon are “dropped at the request of the Commonwealth”. It has all boiled down to bald faced attempts to simply outlaw guns, in the name of non-existant crime control, by creating so many laws that a law abiding citizen can’t help but trip over them. I still have my business in the Commonwealth, but I escaped from Stalag Massachusetts 5 years ago. Law abiding citizens of Massachusetts, VOTE VOTE VOTE at the ballot box, or at least vote with your feet……..escape like I did. Pity, I lived there for 50+ years and was born there, in the FORMER cradle of liberty……..what a joke.

Joe America

Tom, I agree with your thoughts. Many years ago, factory workers used to get paid by the quantity of the parts they would produce during their shift. They refered to this pay system as “piece work” Today’s politicians are mostly lawyers. They seem to view their job as law writers, and they write laws as if they were getting paid by a “piece work” system. The more laws they write, the more they will get paid. All these laws can only choke our freedom as they overlap each other and become redundant. It is really very silly and often childish how these adults come up with these laws.

A few examples to make my point: A person gets into a car accident because they were distracted by working on a cross-word puzzle while driving. So, we get this knee jerk reaction, the press goes wild about drivers doing cross-word puzzles while driving and a New law/bill is written overnight that makes it illegal to work on cross-word puzzles while driving a motor vehicle. The next day, a driver gets into a car accident because they were distracted by a canary in the back seat of their car that got out of its cage while the owner was driving home from the pet shop. Once again, the press goes wild about people driving cars with loose canaries and how this is causing car accidents. Overnight, a New law/bill is written making it illegal to drive a car with a canary in the back seat. In fact, this will be a felony with a fine of $5000, and 10 to 15 years in prison to show that they are tough on crime.

Also a new law/bill is proposed that will include mandatory government inspections on all canary cages. The cage doors will be required to have hardened steel locks, and titanium springs. The office of the Attorney General will launch a full consumer protection, investigation, as to how this canary cage failed, thus allowing the canary to fly freely in the car creating this dangerous situation. There will be an approved roster for acceptable canary cages to be sold, owned or used, in the state of Massachusetts. Any one in possession of an unaproved canary cage will become a felon. Politicians will stand behind microphones as the press take it all in. The politicians will demand that “we can never allow this to happen again. We must pass this bill to protect our children from unsafe canary cages, we must give them a safe childhood free from fear of loose canaries”

All of this sounds absurd, because it is. However, this is very close to our present reality. This is the path we are on. This model of writing a new law for evey event is an endless, out to infinity endeavor. We need to call, write, and courteously confront, our politicians and tell them to STOP this nonsense! In regard to the examples, it is already illegal to be distracted while driving. If you get into an accident because you were distracted, for any reason, than you are at fault. Cell phones, cross-word puzzles, bees in the car, or loose canaries, we laready have a law that covers it all–We do not need more laws!!!!! Murder is against the law. We don’t need an endless list of new laws that describe countless snenarios that all end up as murder. Why do we let out politicians do this?

As US citizens, we need to tell our politicians that we are watching them. Tell them we will remove them from office if they do not start simplifying and repealing these rediculous laws. Tell them we want them to see their job, not as law writers, paid by “piece work”, but instead to see themselves as liberators of “red-tape” and problem solvers. Their challenge and goal should be to have the fewest amount of laws that enables our American society to flourish without being overburdened by complicated, endless, restrictions on our freedom. Tell your Reps, and Senators that they will be held accountable to a new standard of removing laws. If they write more laws they will be removed in the next election.

We the people, need to become more vocal and let these politicians know they work for us. Let your politicians know that they can no longer operate with their own agenda and force it upon us… They need to advocate for our agenda or be removed from office–period

Tom Decker

Well stated Joe. The thing about making laws just to make laws is quite true. The idiots we put in office do two things……first is immediately start to figure out, now that they have ARRIVED in power, how to stay in power, and the second is to pass laws to justify their existance, whether it be idiotic crap or knee jerk legislation, all still crap. Sure, there are new laws needed now and again, but the VAST majority is redundant. All they are trying to do is to spin a web of laws so complex that the normal citizen can’t help but trip over them. We run a gun shop in Adams, and have to work within the unbelieveable rules this state has put in place to “keep us safe”. We have NEVER had a felon come into our shop to buy a gun, but the lawabiding citizen has to almost give a DNA sample to buy one, and that is probably right around the corner. Don’t you just feel all warm, cozy and safe? THAT is why I run my shop in MA, (to give the gungrabbers nigthmares for every gun I sell), but don’t live there anymore. VT is so far better it shames me to think that Massachusetts is supposedly the cradle of liberty for this country……YA RIGHT! We also have a gun shop in VT, and selling a gun there is about 10% of the work, and if one looks at the crime rate in VT, one might actually start to believe that “an armed society is a polite society”. Politicans don’t WANT us to have guns because they are afraid of us. The way that the government acts, they SHOULD be afraid of us, starting at the ballot box.

Kb2504

It’s not the politicians, it is the idiot citizens of the Peoples Republic. It is THEY that elect and re-elect these tyrants. Just look what they did in the 2010 election. Re-elected every incumbent moron to both state and federal office. The people of Massachusetts are idiots and deserve the gun laws they live under. The ONLY way to resolve this is on an individual basis. MOVE.

Bob in Mass

Just a question or two. Are the handguns that are restricted in Mass being restricted according to the law? Or are they being restricted on the whim of the Attorny General of Mass?

I don’t remember these restrictions as being a law. I do remember that a former AG deciding he had the right to restrict handgun under the guise of public safety.

Joe America

Bob,

Massachusetts has a specific list of firearms that can be sold in Massachusetts, Google on approved firearm roster, Massachusetts, or visit your local gun shop. If the firearm you want to buy is not on the list, you cannot buy it in Massachusetts-period. The roots of the roster come from CMR-940-16. This is from the Office of the AG who is regulating firearms under the guise of consumer protection. The office of the AG gets the power to do this from section 2 chapter 93A of the Massachusetts general laws, albeit it is a stretch to utilize this to regulate firearms. It started with AG Harshburger, but has been maintained ever since. There is a new bill,H670 that I hope you will support that will remove the power of the AG from regulating firearms under consumer protection.

As an example, try buying a brand new model 1873 Colt single action revolver in Massachusetts. It cannot be done, because it would fail the AG’s roster criteria. It is not on the AG approved gun list, so if you live in Massachusetts you cannot buy one. Ironically, this same gun is in process of being voted as the State gun of Arizona because it is such a high quality, historic firearm.

MstrMsn

Joe, just because it isn’t on the roster, doesn’t mean that you can’t have own it legally here in MA. Lawful gun owners can purchase firearms from LEOs that are not on the roster (unless that firearms has an outright ban on it). Also, if there is a firearm that is over 100 years old (like, say, an 1873 Colt single action revolver), it is typically considered an antique, and can be legally owned here (without being in the approved roster – though, not all firearms in MA that are legal for us to buy are on that roster, like revolvers).

Joe America

MstrMsn, Thanks for writing: I have wanted to purchase a brand new Colt single action revolver Model 1873 for many years. I have tried to investigate how to do this leagally and I always hit a dead-end that it cannot be done. I realize that if a Mass resident purchased this gun prior to the ban, they can still own one. However, You cannot buy a NEW one. If you had one in your possession with a serial number that indicated recent manufacture, after 1998, you would be a felon. The Model 1873 is not an antique if it was made by Colt last week.

I visit friends in Penn, and Virginia, and I visit gun shops there. I see the NEW Colts, SAAs, 1873 models in the case and I just drool. They cannot sell me the gun. They cannot ship it to a Mass FFL for me because it is not on the Mass. AG”s approved roster. A Mass. FFL always tells me that they cannot order one for me, because it is banned in Mass, not on the AG’s approved roster. So, my choice of a singler action revolver is dictated by the office of the AG. I can buy a NEW Ruger, thats it, or I can buy a worn-out used Colt if I can find one that made its way into Mass prior to 1998. (These guns are hardly the choice of criminals, and not unsafe under consumer protection)

I have been working to repeal CMR-940-16 for more than three years. This is the root cause of me not being able to purchase a NEW Colt. My rights are violated because of my geography, Massachusetts. I thought America was a free country! How on earth did we allow our government to erode our freedom to this degree?

If you can correct me and tell me exactly how I can leagally purchase a NEW Colt, model 1873 in Massachusetts;I am all ears.

I appreciate your writing, with all respect, Joe

Lee Metford

Joe,

Under Massachusetts law it IS NOT a felony or other crime to possess a handgun that is not on the approved roster or the AG list. It IS a crime for a LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER to transfer a handgun not on the approved roster to a MA LTC holder. Also it IS NOT a felony to for one MA LTC holder that is not a licenced dealer to transfer a handgun not on the approved roster to another MA LTC holder. If you read just the section of the law on the approved list it isn’t that difficult arrive at the conclusion that possession is a crime, but if you read the section in it’s entirety you can see that that specific portion of the law only pertains to licensed firearms dealers.

Jay

I like how they say ” Police only carry 13rnds on them and everyone else can carry as much as they want”. Well it is true there is no law ( I think) on the books that restricts a person to X amount of ammunition on there person at any given time. But an officer of the law is restricted by A) uniform policy and B) how big there waist is as they can only fit so much on there duty belt, which leads me to this most police officers carry 1 high cap. mag in there weapon and 2 on there duty belt so if they are carrying a lets say a Glock 22 ( which is not on the APPROVED MA. list by the AG.) in caliber .40 they actually so they would have on there person wile on duty 39rnds? Hummm seems we as individuals would probably be getting charged with something having that much ammo on us at one time.

MstrMsn

Just a few corrections: Law Enforcement (police, FBI, ect) are not restricted by the approved roster. Also, the Glock 22 is on the approved roster, and has been for some time (my first handgun in 2004 was a Glock 22); however, for a long time, Gen 1 was the only version of Glock you could have. Now, we can have Gen 3 (Glock is working the Gen 4 to meet the compliance requirements).

As far as ammo capacity: LEOs are restricted due to uniform policy. 1 mag in the weapon, 2 on his/her duty belt. However, they are allowed (and often it’s recommended) to have additional mags in their cruisers. As for us civilians, there is no limit on how much we can carry (well, not yet, anyway).
Lachesis

Wrong and wrong. There are LEO magazines that are ample fire power against w/e you may think you have. And if you think they’re restricted, lol, think again, jr. Remember, they pack several guns at once…in the frame of “my backup gun”.. That effectively puts them at almost 60 rnds or better. Glock, 19 x 2 = 38. SR9c is 17 x 2 = 34. Hell, we’re at 72 just in handgun rnds…..any questions? And that’s just the driver. ;) happy trails, jr….

MstrMsn

Been almost a month, and Rosenthal and his band of nuts never replied back to my email. Odd, don’t you think?
DAMIEN6828

When you are a civilian gun owner like Iam you better have a good lawyer or leave the Bay state. The way I look at it we are restricted regulated in ever aspect of life in the Bay state. REMBER PEOPLE WE LIVE WITH THE LIBERAL ELITE…

Lachesis

No, you live with Martha Cockless ,and Devil Patrick. She will cut off your nuts “no self help”, and he has no idea what nuts are for.
Rroberts999

No Damien you live in the communist republic of Taxachusetts. So glad I got out that shit hole state after 42 years of believing there lies. That place sucks the life out of you. It is not even America in that liberal blood sucking state. When you leave there some day and you will. You will discover America and wonder why you ever stayed there. Run Damien! Run as fast as you can from communism. By the way keep in mind you dont have the same rights and privelges as the rest of us in this country. The blood sucking crooked politicians in that state took those away a long time ago.

Rev. SHaun Harrison

I belive in my right to bear arms. Iam a member of GOAL and I truly respect them for standing firm and not giving in to those who would take away our rights. The courts needs to give stricter punishment to those criminals who are using the guns to commit crime over and over again, there should be no plea bargin with adults criminals or Juvenile criminals who commit crime with guns. Lets not being soft on crime. . Please don’t take away my rights to baer arms. Rev. Harrison
Eazygnome

fuck massachusetts and there gun laws. why is it the 22nd most dangerous in the country with some of th most restrictive laws yet NH is just to the north with the most leanent yet it is the safest state in the USA. think about it. 2nd amendment says a WELL REGULATED MILITIA BEING NECASSARY TO THE SECURITY OF A FREE STATE. THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED. mass has infringed on the constitution of the usa. fuck that state and the polaticians who control that communist state.
Eazygnome

by the way all you guys that do have licenses to carry in the bay state you better pray no one breaks into your home because if you do have to shoot your going to jail, then hope you can make bail, then hire a damn good lawyer which for that between bail and lawyers fee you better have about a $100,000. then you can have 1.5 – 2 yrs of sleepless nights wondering if your going to jail or not for a long time. lets just say you beat the charge now you can start all over with a civil suit. so basicly even if your right some judge will feel bad for the asshole who threatened you and your familys life. he will award just about everything you ever worked for and by the end what do you have. nothing. and remember while your supposedly innocent until proven guilty they suspend your license and take your guns as evidence. make sure your guns are locked up as well as ammo cause if they find either one unlocked in your home its called UNLAWFUL STORAGE AND THATS A FELONY. SO GOOD LUCK LIVING IN THAT SUCK ASS STATE I MOVED OUT AND THEY CAN SUCK MY ASS CAUSE I BEAT THEM TILL THE END AND THERE AINT SHIT THOSE FAGGOT ASS COPS CAN DO.FUCK YOU MASS STATE POLICE. YOU MISSED
Eazygnome

all this shit about restrictions. in NH a license to carry cannot be denied in fact they are talking of doing away with the license. no fingerprints or photograph. go to police, apply wait 10 days pay $10 and now you are authorized to carry and pistol you want. what the fuck people. in fact over 85% of usa is a shall issue state meaning if you are not a felon and no misdemeanor dometic violence you get it. i licensed in 38 states- i have actual license in nevada,utah,florida,NH and maine then you have all the reciprocal states that follow. why is it the vast majority of states operate but mass and new york just violate the contitution and its ok. this is not what our bill of rights is based upon. if you live in mass move out. then you will see how fucked up it really is when you look back. i couldnt believe when i applied for my utah and florida licenses that all i had to do was fill out the app. send photo, fingerprints and fee and they both came in the mail about 2 months later. they never met me. never saw me and it was not just up to on person to decide whether im suitable or not. suitable what the fuck suitable. in the mean time cops are getting busted in boston for cocaine traffiking, bribes, extortion etc. but we find them to be suitable. think about it. corrupt pigs. what about the revere cop todd randall. you dont believe me look his name up. he was doing it for years. he’s suitable. sorry guys its just frustrating.
Joe America

Yes, it is true, there is a serious problem here in Massachusetts in regard to 2nd Amendment rights, gun bans, and other firearm restrictions. However, while we all have the freedom to re-locate, it is not always so easy to relocate when family, jobs, and other issues come into play. Many of us choose to remain in Massachusetts, in spite of the problems, while attempting to solve these problems. I believe it is also important to participate in trying to fix the problems here in Massachusetts in order to benefit the nation as a whole.

I am pleased that New Hampshire has “Constitutional Carry”or nearly so. I am happy for you if it fits into your life to live and work there. New Hampshire is a great state. It is also great to see that Vermont has this freedom. These two states are so close to Massachusetts and New York that we can only hope that one day the freedom will rubs-off and Massachusetts and New York will follow in the steps of Vermont and New Hampshire, but it will take work, phone calls, editorials, and lots of voting people out to ultimately accomplish this. I personally will not be through with this work until Constitutional Carry exists nation wide. I want the freedom returned to the United States, where I can holster my 1911 and drive from Massachusetts to California and every state in-between and never even think about a different law in a specific state. They should all be the same, 100% free. I will not rest until this becomes a reality.

I see many remarks about how bad Massachusetts is. This is true, we all acknowledge this. This is our complaint as well, but simple statements of abandoning the state are not the solution for everyone. Many of us have are roots, homes, families, and careers, well established here. Leaving is easy for some but not all. I respect both decisions, to stay or to go, but I hope that all will continue to participate towards nationwide Constitutional Carry.

I hope all Massachusetts citizens will become more politically engaged and active. For example, obtain the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of your state Rep and Senator. Do the same for your federal Rep and Senators. Enter the phone numbers into your cell phone, and home phone. Place a call at least once a month to your Reps. Every time you get outraged by what is going-on, hit the speed-dial, and complain to your representative. Tell them what you think with courtesy and respect, no threats, no profanity, but with all the fire and energy that is making your blood boil!

Write a letter at least once a month to all of your represents, sign it in blue ink, or green ink-(be bold) Send an e-mail to all of your Reps at least once a month. Ask them to support the GOAL bills. Ask them to vote against the Bills that are anti-gun. Tell them how important this is to you, and that you are keeping score. Tell them that you will actively campaign against them and work towards removing them from office as part of the political process in the next election if they will not support your views on this subject.–If we all did this, just think how fast things would change… How about it?
Lachesis

Wow, the bad guys get guns here? So the douchebag Martha and her ‘tards find it necessary to impose more laws because of the bad guys? Interesting…This somehow makes more sense than imposing laws that affect the…excuse me…..BAD GUYS, than lawful-abiding citizens?
Tdg6790

an eight year old boy is on the terrorist watchlist
gg

If the gun laws in Massachusetts were not so draconian (- I can’t even by a reproduction of an 1873 Colt single action “cowboy” revolver, but strangely I can buy a SIG 2226 – you wouldn’t have otherwise honest citizens pulling this sort of stuff. Lighten up a little and you won’t be tempting people to try to get around these silly laws. I wouldn’t try it but many can and do.
JohnDoe69

There will always be persecution of the law abiding and erosion of our constitutional rights as long as the “Democratic” party remains in power in Ma. With a socialist news media pushing the Dems forward with their anti-American agenda there is not much chance of the Dems ever losing their iron grip on the people of Ma. Sorry, but I’m outta here as soon as I can afford to move to a free state. Hopefully the Tea Party or the GOP will gain total control of both houses and the White House this next election and we can try to kick MA, CA, NY, IL and NJ out of the Union and let them suffer the same state that the USSR has: total collapse.
89singh

criminals have money, they can get guns. They sell drugs. They have lots of money. They can buy anything not just guns!!! You cannot buy a handguns if you are from out of state. John Rosenthal is a total phony.

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