1482 lines
50 KiB
Plaintext
1482 lines
50 KiB
Plaintext
FIREARMS, HUNTING & TRAPPING:
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Facts and Positions
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Stephen B. Jeffries
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(Extensive information contained herein was extracted from FACT Sheets prepared by Gun Owners' Action League.
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Mr. Jeffries wishes to publicly acknowledge the inestimable contribution of GOAL as the original source of much
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of the below listed text and information.) CONTENTS
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PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF FIREARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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Who owns firearms?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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Scholarly opinion: Guns do not cause crime: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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Public opinion polls: Americans support gun ownership:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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Police view: licensed gun owners can deter crime: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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Private firearms ownership in Massachusetts:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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WAITING PERIODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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Would a 7 day "waiting period" have stopped John Hinckley?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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Would a "waiting" or "cooling-off period" reduce crimes of
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passion?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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Would a "waiting period" reduce suicide rates?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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Would a "waiting period" keep guns out of the wrong hands?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
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Do states with "waiting periods" have lower crime rates?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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Would a "waiting period" reduce the number of guns used in
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crimes?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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Would a "waiting period" reduce violent crime?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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How would a "waiting period" affect law-abiding gun owners?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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Is there an alternative to "waiting periods"?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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ASSAULT RIFLES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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What is an "Assault Rifle?":. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
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What is Meant by a Semi-Automatic Rifle or Shotgun?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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What kind of license is required for a semi-automatic gun?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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Definition of an automatic firearm: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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What is required to lawfully possess a full automatic?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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How would an "Assault Rifles" Ban have affected the Stockton,
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California tragedy?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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What are some purposes for which "Assault Rifles" are used?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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What about Conversion to an Automatic Firearm?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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RESTRICTED LICENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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Background: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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What affect did this ruling have on licensed gun owners?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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Has the legislature clarified its intent?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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Are restricted licenses still a problem?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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What are examples of "restricted" licenses?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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How are "restricted" licenses issued?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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What would happen if licenses were "unrestricted"?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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Other problems with "restricted" licenses:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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This policy seems extremely unfair. Is there anything that can be
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done?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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HUNTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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Is hunting a safe sport?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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How is hunting regulated?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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What do sportsmen do to help wildlife?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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What would be the effect if hunting were to be banned?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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TRAPPING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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How is trapping regulated in Massachusetts?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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Where are traps set?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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Are leghold traps a "vicious" way of trapping an animal?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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What is the purpose of trapping?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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What kinds of animals are trapped?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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MANDATORY TRAINING AND TESTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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What is Massachusetts' firearms accident rate?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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Would a mandatory program affect the accident rate?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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How would a mandatory training and testing program be run?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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How much would it cost to create a mandatory training program?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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Has the state legislature voted on this issue?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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Is there an alternative program?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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SNUB-NOSED HANDGUNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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What is a "snub-nosed" handgun?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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Are "snubbie's" used for legitimate sporting purposes?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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Is the "snub-nosed" handgun the criminal's choice?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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Are "snub-nosed" handguns cheap to buy?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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Who owns "snub-nosed" handguns?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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PLASTIC GUNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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What are plastic guns and who manufactures them?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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Do any guns have plastic parts?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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What do experts say about plastic guns?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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Is there evidence that the Glock 17 can bypass security?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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Is there a problem with America's airport security?:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF FIREARMS
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Who owns firearms?:
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In 1986, Texas A & M University
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released a nationwide survey
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conducted by professors William Pride
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and O. C. Ferrell which found that
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higher-income whites with some
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college education are those most
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likely to own handguns, and that
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35-40% of these handgun owners are
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female.
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In 1989, The Message, a monthly
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newspaper for pro-active gun owners,
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surveyed its Massachusetts readers.
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The survey results showed that
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Massachusetts gun owners are well
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represented in many professions:
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executive level management, service
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oriented jobs, education, health and
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human services, and sales. Over 40%
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of the households surveyed had an
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income of more than 45,000 per year.
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78% of those surveyed stated they
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owned or carried a firearm for
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self-protection.
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Scholarly opinion: Guns do not cause
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crime:
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In 1981, the U.S. Department of
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Justice, National Institute of
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Justice released a quarter-million
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dollar study, Weapons Crime and
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Violence in America, conducted by
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research sociologists James D. Wright
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and Peter H. Rossi of the University
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of Massachusetts at Amherst. The
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report concluded that there appeared
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to be "no strong causal connections
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between private gun ownership and the
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crime rate."
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Public opinion polls: Americans
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support gun ownership:
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An April 6, 1981 Lou Harris
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poll showed 52% of Americans
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maintain: "Gun control does not get
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at the heart of solving violent
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crime."
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A May 1981 poll by Glamour
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magazine revealed 68% of its
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readership think handguns should not
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be banned, and 53% believe people
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need handguns to protect themselves.
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(12% were undecided).
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An October 1981 American
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Druggist poll showed over 90% of its
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readership oppose firearms
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restrictions for law abiding
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citizens; 80% own guns; and 20% have
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successfully used guns for
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self-protection.
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A June 24, 1982 George Gallup
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poll revealed 54% of Americans
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believe it should be legal for
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individuals other than police to own
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handguns.
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In a readers poll conducted by
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People magazine after the 1985 Bernie
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Goetz incident, 56% felt Goetz was
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justified in his actions and 87% felt
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they had the right to be armed with a
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handgun for self-defense.
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In November 1976, Massachusetts
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defeated a referendum to ban private
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firearms ownership by a vote of 69%
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to 31%.
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Police view: licensed gun owners can
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deter crime:
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Crime Control Research Project
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of Bellevue, Washington polled police
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and found 64% believe that an armed
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citizenry deters crime.
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In 1986, the National
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Association of Chiefs of Police and
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the American Federation of Police
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conducted a poll of their members and
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found: 96% did not think banning
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civilian ownership of firearms would
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reduce crime or keep criminals from
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getting guns; 98% believed citizens
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had the right to own and use firearms
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for protection; and 89% did not
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believe gun control laws had any
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effect on criminals.
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In 1989, the National
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Association of Chiefs of Police
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surveyed command officers from across
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the country. 90% did not believe that
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the banning of firearms (handguns,
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shotguns or rifles) would reduce the
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ability of criminals to obtain such
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weapons. 87.6% did not believe that
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the banning of private ownership of
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firearms would result in fewer crimes
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from firearms.
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Private firearms ownership in
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Massachusetts:
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From 1977 to 1984, the number
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of Licenses to Carry Firearms
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(handgun permits) tripled, while the
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crime rate decreased, in some areas
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by as much as 15.9%.
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There are currently 2 million
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licensed gun owners in Massachusetts.
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According to the Department of Public
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Safety, an infinitely small number of
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them ever come into conflict with any
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state law, be it traffic or firearms
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laws.
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There are more than 500
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sportsmen's clubs across
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Massachusetts. Competitive shooters
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participate in organized matched,
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some hoping to join the U.S. Olympic
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Shooting Team -- the team with the
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most Gold Medals won for America.
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WAITING PERIODS
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Would a 7 day "waiting period" have
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stopped John Hinckley?:
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No. Hinckley purchased the gun
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he used in the Reagan assassination
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attempt six months prior to
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committing the crime. Further,
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Hinckley had other handguns at his
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disposal, guns which he purchased
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under California's 15 day "waiting
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period".
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Would a "waiting" or "cooling-off
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period" reduce crimes of passion?:
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No. According to the FBI, most
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of these types of homicides occur
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between 10 PM and 3 AM -- long after
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gun stores are closed. This negates
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the argument that people "run out to
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buy a handgun", then commit a
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homicide with it.
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A Kansas City study on domestic
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homicides found that in 50% of these
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cases, police had been summoned to
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the home at least five times, and in
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90% of the cases, police had been
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summoned at least once. The solution
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to this problem is not a "waiting
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period" for gun purchases. Law
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enforcement must have a more serious
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attitude concerning domestic
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violence.
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Would a "waiting period" reduce
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suicide rates?:
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No. The Center for Disease
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Control (CDC) stated in April 1985
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that "waiting periods have no effect
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on suicides."
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Would a "waiting period" keep guns
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out of the wrong hands?:
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No. Some assert that New
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Jersey's "waiting period" for gun
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purchases "caught 33,000 criminals"
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attempting to obtain permits to
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purchase handguns. However, the
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majority of these rejections were not
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based on criminal records. Further,
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the figure cited includes rejections
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of separate "permits to carry
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concealed," which are regularly
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denied to honest citizens with no
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criminal record.
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As Willis Booth, a former chief
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of police and lobbyist for the
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Florida Police Chiefs Association
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stated: "I think any working
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policeman will tell you that the
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crooks already have guns. If a
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criminal fills out an application...
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he's the biggest, dumbest crook I've
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ever seen."
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Additionally, research
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indicates that "waiting periods" have
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no effect on criminals: 1) A study
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reported in Annals of the American
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Academy of Political Science in May
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1981 found that "most felons and
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other ineligibles who obtain guns do
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so not because the state's screening
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system fails to discern their
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criminal record, but rather because
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these people find ways of
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circumventing the screening system
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entirely"; 2) A Justice Department
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study released in October 1985
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demonstrated that convicted felons'
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primary mode of obtaining guns is
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theft; 3) A study from the
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University of Massachusetts, funded
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by the Justice Department, found that
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criminals get guns from other
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criminals.
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Neither a "waiting period" nor
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any other additional restriction on
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the lawful purchase of firearms would
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affect criminals, since they don't
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abide by the law.
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Do states with "waiting periods" have
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lower crime rates?:
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No. Research has not found any
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evidence of lower crime rates in the
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16 states with " waiting periods".
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In fact FBI statistics show the
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opposite to be true: States with
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"waiting periods" are those with the
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greatest increases in homicide and
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violent crime rates. For example,
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California's homicide rate increased
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126% as the state increased its
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"waiting period" from 48 hours to
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five days to 15 days. During this
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period, the national homicide rate
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rose by less than half that amount.
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Would a "waiting period" reduce the
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number of guns used in crimes?:
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No. "waiting periods" assume it
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is primarily newly purchased guns
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that are used in crime, since
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criminals don't have to "wait" to use
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guns they already possess. POLICE
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FOUNDATION's 1977 study, Firearms
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Abuse found that only 2.1% of all
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handguns traced to crime were less
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than one month old -- which is four
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times as long as the proposed
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"waiting period". Thus, more than
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98% of handguns used in crime are not
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newly purchased guns, and therefore
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would not be affected by any "waiting
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period".
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Would a "waiting period" reduce
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violent crime?:
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No. Like all other laws, a
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"waiting period" law would only
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affect those people who abide by the
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law; by definition that excludes
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criminals. According to FBI
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statistics, 80% of violent crimes are
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committed by career criminals, and
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30-35% of robberies and murders are
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committed by people who are on some
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form of conditional release ... bail,
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parole, probation or suspended
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sentence. There is no doubt we must
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address the issue of violent crime
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and those who commit it, but "waiting
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periods" would have no effect on
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either.
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How would a "waiting period" affect
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law-abiding gun owners?:
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A "waiting period" would
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infringe upon the law abiding
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citizens' right to purchase personal
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property and take possession of it
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when he/she wishes. For example, a
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law abiding gun owner would have to
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wait seven days before taking
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possession of every gun he/she
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purchased lawfully, even if bought
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only one day apart. Further, buying
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guns legally requires the government
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to approve the purchase; if John Doe
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were criminally minded, he wouldn't
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be buying guns legally in the first
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place -- as research already cited
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indicates. He would be getting guns
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from illegal sources and/or could use
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firearms he already possessed to
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commit a crime.
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Additionally, a "waiting
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period" can endanger the safety of
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law abiding citizens: 1) In July
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1985 a California woman who was being
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terrorized by her neighbor had to
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endure 15 additional days of torture
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before she was allowed to bring home
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the gun she subsequently used in
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self-defense against her attacker; 2)
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Potential victims of the so-called
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California "Night Stalker" were
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reportedly upset at having to wait 15
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days to protect themselves: 3)
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During the Liberty City riots in Dade
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County, Florida, law enforcement
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leaders publicly informed citizens
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that they could not protect them so
|
||
citizens would have to protect
|
||
themselves -- but a county "waiting
|
||
period" thwarted the attempts of law
|
||
abiding citizens who wanted to
|
||
purchase handguns for self -
|
||
protection.
|
||
|
||
Is there an alternative to "waiting
|
||
periods"?:
|
||
|
||
Yes. For every 500 serious
|
||
crimes, only 20 adults and five
|
||
juveniles serve any time in jail.
|
||
Simple logic dictates that crime will
|
||
continue until criminals are taken
|
||
off the streets. America's criminal
|
||
justice system must be held
|
||
accountable for this public safety
|
||
failure and strengthened so that it
|
||
serves the interest of law-abiding --
|
||
rather than law-breaking -- citizens.
|
||
ASSAULT RIFLES
|
||
|
||
What is an "Assault Rifle?":
|
||
|
||
According to the Department of
|
||
Defense "assault rifles" are "short,
|
||
compact, selective-fire weapons that
|
||
fire a cartridge intermediate in
|
||
power between sub-machinegun and
|
||
rifle cartridges." Their
|
||
characterized distinction is based on
|
||
weight, to a lesser degree, power and
|
||
the immediate ability by virtue of a
|
||
selector switch to fire fully
|
||
automatic. As such they are already
|
||
regulated under the National Firearms
|
||
Act of 1934.
|
||
|
||
What is Meant by a Semi-Automatic
|
||
Rifle or Shotgun?:
|
||
|
||
There are essentially seven
|
||
methods of modern rifle mechanisms:
|
||
bolt action, lever action, slide
|
||
action, single shot breech action,
|
||
falling block rifles and shotguns,
|
||
semi-automatic and fully-automatic.
|
||
|
||
A semi-automatic rifle or
|
||
shotgun is one that requires a person
|
||
to pull the trigger for each
|
||
individual shot to be fired. A
|
||
semi-automatic places a new round in
|
||
the chamber by use of the expanding
|
||
gasses of the previously fired round,
|
||
but the person must still pull the
|
||
trigger (again) for this round to be
|
||
discharged. The semi-automatic
|
||
action is merely a convenience to the
|
||
shooter and has no effect on the
|
||
caliber of the cartridge, the gun's
|
||
power, or its accuracy.
|
||
|
||
Here are some common examples
|
||
of semi-automatic rifles and
|
||
shotguns: All civilian production of
|
||
Browning, Colt, Remington, and Ruger
|
||
rifles except bolt-actions; U.S.
|
||
surplus rifles including M1, M1
|
||
Carbine, GR43, AK47, FN49, Haekame,
|
||
Rashid and SKS; all Browning,
|
||
Remington, Mossberg and Winchester
|
||
shotguns except slide action, breech
|
||
action or over and under type. The
|
||
average cost of these firearms is
|
||
$500.00, with many selling for over
|
||
$1,000.00 and at least one model, the
|
||
Heckler and Koch PSG 1 Marksman,
|
||
selling for $8,599.00.
|
||
|
||
What kind of license is required for
|
||
a semi-automatic gun?:
|
||
|
||
Mere possession of a
|
||
semi-automatic rifle or shotgun in
|
||
Massachusetts has required licensing
|
||
since 1969. Violation is punishable
|
||
by a mandatory one to five years in
|
||
prison. The licensing procedure
|
||
requires a criminal records check.
|
||
In the case of pistols, revolvers or
|
||
semi-automatic handguns, the
|
||
licensing procedure also includes
|
||
fingerprinting and the applicant must
|
||
have no felonies and no history of
|
||
drug or alcohol abuse or mental
|
||
instability. Prior to 1969, no
|
||
license was required for lawful
|
||
possession of semi-automatic rifles
|
||
or shotguns. The law regarding
|
||
handguns, including semiautomatic
|
||
handguns, has been in effect since
|
||
1906.
|
||
|
||
Definition of an automatic firearm:
|
||
|
||
An fully-automatic firearm or
|
||
machinegun, as defined under the
|
||
National Firearms Act of 1934 is "any
|
||
weapon which shoots, is designed to
|
||
shoot, or can be readily restored to
|
||
shoot, automatically more than one
|
||
shot without manual reloading by a
|
||
single function of the trigger. The
|
||
term shall also include the frame or
|
||
receiver of any such weapon, any part
|
||
designed and intended solely and
|
||
exclusively, or combination of parts
|
||
designed and intended, for use in
|
||
converting a weapon into a
|
||
machinegun, and any combination of
|
||
parts from which a machinegun can be
|
||
assembled if such parts are in the
|
||
possession or under the control of a
|
||
person."
|
||
|
||
What is required to lawfully possess
|
||
a full automatic?:
|
||
|
||
Federal law prohibits the
|
||
transfer and possession of any such
|
||
fully automatic firearm, which
|
||
includes an AK-47, not lawfully
|
||
possessed prior to May 19, 1986.
|
||
Those held prior to that date may be
|
||
transferred to individuals licensed
|
||
to possess same who, for each gun
|
||
purchased, pass a federal record
|
||
check (which usually takes 90 days),
|
||
pay a $200.00 transfer tax, are
|
||
finger printed and secure a sign-off
|
||
from their local police. In
|
||
Massachusetts, there is also a
|
||
requirement for a separate state
|
||
license issued at the discretion of
|
||
the police chief.
|
||
|
||
How would an "Assault Rifles" Ban
|
||
have affected the Stockton,
|
||
California tragedy?:
|
||
|
||
Patrick Edward Purdy, the
|
||
murderer of five school children, had
|
||
been arrested for the following
|
||
offenses during the ten year period
|
||
before the event: possession of
|
||
drugs, possession of dangerous
|
||
weapons, sex offenses, attempted
|
||
robbery, extortion, receiving stolen
|
||
property, conspiracy and resisting
|
||
arrest.
|
||
|
||
On the day of the massacre,
|
||
Purdy would have been incarcerated
|
||
were it not for the failing criminal
|
||
justice system which allowed Purdy to
|
||
plea bargain in every case to
|
||
misdemeanor offenses. Additionally,
|
||
in April 1987 mental health workers
|
||
in a formal report classified Purdy
|
||
as "a danger to himself and others" -
|
||
- grounds for psychiatric commitment
|
||
which never occurred.
|
||
|
||
It is proper enforcement of
|
||
existing laws, not enactment of new
|
||
ones, that would have prevented this
|
||
tragedy. (The same problem occurred
|
||
in January 1981 when John Hinckley
|
||
was caught trying to smuggle a gun
|
||
onto a plane but was set free a few
|
||
days later.)
|
||
|
||
Most proposals to ban "assault
|
||
weapons" contain language that would
|
||
allow a board or commission to
|
||
"create a roster" of newly described
|
||
"assault weapons." But all proposals
|
||
we have seen affect only those
|
||
persons who are already in lawful
|
||
possession of a semiautomatic
|
||
firearm, with no provisions for
|
||
punishment of those who possess them
|
||
or use them illegally.
|
||
|
||
What are some purposes for which
|
||
"Assault Rifles" are used?:
|
||
|
||
Even if we are talking about
|
||
the "new" or "proposed" definition of
|
||
"assault rifles", which include 60%
|
||
of the semi-automatic guns in
|
||
production, there are legitimate uses
|
||
in hunting for both long guns (rifles
|
||
and shotguns) and handguns.
|
||
|
||
Semi-automatic shotguns were
|
||
originally developed for bird hunting
|
||
and semi-automatic rifles today are
|
||
used for many types of hunting,
|
||
including the taking of big game such
|
||
as deer, elk, caribou, moose and
|
||
grizzly. Semiautomatic firearms are
|
||
also currently used in competitive
|
||
shooting, dominating the Service
|
||
Rifle Class of national,
|
||
international and Olympic shooting.
|
||
|
||
Using the Department of Defense
|
||
definition, it is generally true that
|
||
a machinegun would not be commonly
|
||
used as a hunting rifle. Placed in
|
||
the semi-automatic mode, such a gun
|
||
would certainly be capable of taking
|
||
game. However, the law does not
|
||
allow full automatic guns to be used
|
||
in hunting.
|
||
|
||
What about Conversion to an Automatic
|
||
Firearm?:
|
||
|
||
BATF Deputy Associate Director
|
||
Edward D. Conroy in testimony before
|
||
Congress said "the AKS (the
|
||
semi-automatic version of the AK47)
|
||
is difficult to convert [to full
|
||
automatic] requiring additional parts
|
||
and some machinery..." One police
|
||
officer said it could take several
|
||
hours even with the parts and
|
||
equipment needed to make such a
|
||
conversion.
|
||
|
||
We respectfully withhold the
|
||
details of why conversion is not easy
|
||
in the interest of public safety .
|
||
But even if it were "easy" to convert
|
||
a semi-automatic firearm into an
|
||
automatic one, the penalty is life in
|
||
prison. Only substitution of the
|
||
death penalty for life in prison
|
||
could provide increased deterrence.
|
||
|
||
RESTRICTED LICENSES
|
||
|
||
Background:
|
||
|
||
On June 11, 1984, the
|
||
Massachusetts State Appeals Court
|
||
ruled that Licenses to Carry Firearms
|
||
can be -- but do not have to be --
|
||
"restricted" according to the reason
|
||
for issuance shown on the back of the
|
||
license. The court further ruled
|
||
that the issuing authority might
|
||
place restrictions on the reason for
|
||
issuance. (See Glen D. Ruggiero v
|
||
Police Commissioner of Boston, 1984).
|
||
However, the State Appeals Court
|
||
admitted the law was vague, and
|
||
recommended that the legislature
|
||
clarify its intent.
|
||
|
||
What affect did this ruling have on
|
||
licensed gun owners?:
|
||
|
||
Individual police
|
||
interpretation of licenses became a
|
||
more exaggerated problem when,
|
||
immediately following the 1984
|
||
ruling, Middlesex District Attorney
|
||
Scott Harshbarger circulated a
|
||
memorandum to police urging them to
|
||
severely "restrict" licenses.
|
||
|
||
Most importantly, the court
|
||
specifically stated that it was
|
||
possible for a person, found to be in
|
||
violation of their "reason for
|
||
issuance," to be ruled to be in
|
||
illegal possession of a gun. The
|
||
punishment for illegal carrying under
|
||
state law is Bartley-Fox's mandatory
|
||
1-5 years in jail. (see the section
|
||
on new laws below).
|
||
|
||
The first persons to be caught
|
||
under this ruling were two Wells
|
||
Fargo guards in Springfield, who were
|
||
arrested in 1985, even though they
|
||
held valid (i.e. unexpired) Licenses
|
||
to Carry Firearms. In other cases,
|
||
persons with valid licenses have
|
||
actually been convicted of unlicensed
|
||
firearms felonies.
|
||
|
||
Has the legislature clarified its
|
||
intent?:
|
||
|
||
Yes. As of January 2, 1991, a
|
||
person with a License to Carry
|
||
Firearms is exempt from the state's
|
||
Bartley Fox law. However, during the
|
||
more than six years it took for the
|
||
legislature to clarify this ruling,
|
||
more than one licensed gun owner was
|
||
convicted of the illegal carrying of
|
||
a firearm.
|
||
|
||
Are restricted licenses still a
|
||
problem?:
|
||
|
||
Yes. The new law did not
|
||
change how licenses are issued, and
|
||
thus did not prohibit a police chief
|
||
from arbitrarily deciding what the
|
||
"reason for issuance" shall be. A
|
||
license holder, in possession of a
|
||
firearm, could have their license to
|
||
carry firearms revoked if the chief
|
||
felt they were not carrying in
|
||
compliance with the "reason for
|
||
issuance."
|
||
|
||
Since each licensing authority
|
||
has his or her own criteria for
|
||
license "restrictions," there are no
|
||
written definitions of what may be
|
||
covered. In some cities and towns,
|
||
an individual with a "protection"
|
||
license may carry anytime; in other
|
||
areas, the license is linked to
|
||
employment and limited to regular
|
||
business hours.
|
||
|
||
This can cause serious
|
||
problems. Although a licensee could
|
||
be carrying in compliance with the
|
||
information given him by his or her
|
||
own issuing authority, they may be
|
||
travelling into another jurisdiction
|
||
which has contradictory policies with
|
||
regard to what may be allowed under
|
||
the "reason for issuance."
|
||
|
||
Thus, license restrictions
|
||
raise a lot of questions. For
|
||
example, can a licensed private
|
||
investigator carry after business
|
||
hours, when he is most vulnerable to
|
||
the persons he is investigating? Can
|
||
a "target and hunting" licensee stop
|
||
on the way home from the gun club to
|
||
buy a quart of milk at the store? If
|
||
a woman with a "sporting" license
|
||
receives threats, does she have to
|
||
re-apply for a new license before
|
||
carrying the firearm on her person on
|
||
a regular basis?
|
||
|
||
What are examples of "restricted"
|
||
licenses?:
|
||
|
||
Since 1984, some licensing
|
||
authorities (usually the police
|
||
chief) have adopted a policy of
|
||
issuing "restricted" licenses. The
|
||
most common phrase is "Restricted to
|
||
target and hunting". Some
|
||
communities do issue licenses for
|
||
"protection" but limit those to "for
|
||
employment only".
|
||
|
||
How are "restricted" licenses
|
||
issued?:
|
||
|
||
Authorities who issue
|
||
"restricted" licenses prefer to use
|
||
the applicant's means of gainful
|
||
employment as the criteria to decide
|
||
which license they will be issued.
|
||
Of the authorities issuing
|
||
"restricted" licenses, many issue
|
||
"protection" licenses exclusively to
|
||
"special" police officers, security
|
||
guards, detectives, investigators,
|
||
business proprietors, professional
|
||
people or their employees who are
|
||
responsible for large sums of money,
|
||
payrolls or bank deposits or for the
|
||
transportation of very valuable
|
||
merchandise."
|
||
|
||
Applicants who do not meet the
|
||
employment criteria, receive licenses
|
||
issued for "target and hunting".
|
||
Usually the issuing authority
|
||
requires them to prove membership in
|
||
a bona-fide gun club (average cost of
|
||
membership $65.00).
|
||
|
||
Neither state statute nor case
|
||
law mandates that a firearm be
|
||
carried in a certain manner
|
||
(concealed or unconcealed) regardless
|
||
of the reason for issuance. But some
|
||
jurisdictions insist they have the
|
||
right to impose such restrictions.
|
||
|
||
What would happen if licenses were
|
||
"unrestricted"?:
|
||
|
||
From the time licensing began,
|
||
in 1906, through 1984 all licenses
|
||
were unrestricted. During this time,
|
||
firearms licensees proved themselves
|
||
to be law abiding and responsible.
|
||
The Department of Public Safety
|
||
states that only an infinitesimally
|
||
small number of licensees ever come
|
||
into conflict with any law -- from
|
||
jaywalking to firearms regulations.
|
||
|
||
Further, Massachusetts'
|
||
firearms accident rate is well below
|
||
the national average, and listed last
|
||
of all categories of accidental death
|
||
in Massachusetts. Thus, there would
|
||
be no threat to public safety if all
|
||
licenses again became "unrestricted".
|
||
|
||
Other problems with "restricted"
|
||
licenses:
|
||
|
||
Simple generalized phrases like
|
||
"protection" and "target and hunting"
|
||
do not indicate what other actions
|
||
law abiding gun owners may do. If
|
||
the police look only at the exact
|
||
wording of the "reason for issuance"
|
||
shown, it could cause a lot of
|
||
confusion. For example, can a
|
||
"protection" licensee practice at a
|
||
target range? What about trips to the
|
||
gunsmith for repair, or a gun show
|
||
for exhibit or appraisal, or to a
|
||
friend's house to sell the firearm?
|
||
|
||
This policy seems extremely unfair.
|
||
Is there anything that can be done?:
|
||
|
||
In some cities and towns,
|
||
however, the police chiefs have taken
|
||
steps to ensure that citizens are not
|
||
entrapped by this court decision by
|
||
issuing Licenses to Carry Firearms
|
||
with the reason for issuance of "For
|
||
All Lawful Purposes."
|
||
|
||
As a last resort, one always
|
||
has the option to sue. The sad fact
|
||
is, however, that an uncontested
|
||
appeal in District Court costs an
|
||
average of $1,500.00, well beyond the
|
||
financial reach of most citizens.
|
||
HUNTING
|
||
|
||
Is hunting a safe sport?:
|
||
|
||
To teach prospective hunters
|
||
various aspects of the sport,
|
||
Massachusetts offers a free hunter
|
||
safety program to all interested
|
||
adults, and requires minors who wish
|
||
to purchase a hunting license to take
|
||
the course.
|
||
|
||
By law, any hunting-related
|
||
accident must be reported to the
|
||
state. In a recent letter, Allan L.
|
||
McGroary, Director of the Division of
|
||
Law Enforcement, stated "State
|
||
statistics do not support the
|
||
elimination of local hunting based on
|
||
the possibility of personal injury."
|
||
|
||
How is hunting regulated?:
|
||
|
||
Massachusetts General Laws
|
||
place restrictions on where people
|
||
may hunt; the Division of Fisheries
|
||
and Wildlife places strict controls
|
||
on when hunting is allowed. No
|
||
endangered species in Massachusetts
|
||
are threatened by hunting.
|
||
|
||
Individuals may post their land
|
||
against hunters and target shooters.
|
||
Massachusetts General Law prohibits:
|
||
trespassing on land with firearms and
|
||
the discharge of firearms within 500
|
||
feet of a dwelling or within 150 feet
|
||
of a state or hard surfaced highway.
|
||
|
||
What do sportsmen do to help
|
||
wildlife?:
|
||
|
||
As in many other states, any
|
||
one who wishes to hunt, fish or trap
|
||
in Massachusetts must purchase a
|
||
license. The monies from these
|
||
licenses goes into a dedicated fund
|
||
used solely for the state's wildlife
|
||
programs. Therefore, further
|
||
restricting, limiting or banning
|
||
hunting would deplete the greatest
|
||
source of conservation revenue.
|
||
|
||
The Pittman-Robertson Act
|
||
levied a 11% federal tax on the sales
|
||
of all rifles, shotguns and
|
||
ammunition as well as a 10% federal
|
||
tax on handguns. This money is
|
||
distributed back to the states,
|
||
reimbursing them for a some of the
|
||
costs of wildlife, hunter education
|
||
and range development programs.
|
||
|
||
In addition to hunting,
|
||
sporting, fishing and trapping
|
||
licenses, both federal and state law
|
||
require the purchase of a special
|
||
duck "stamp". Monies from the sale
|
||
of these stamps go directly towards
|
||
purchasing and preserving duck
|
||
habitat.
|
||
|
||
The law also requires license
|
||
buyers to purchase a special "land
|
||
stamp". Monies from these stamps are
|
||
placed in a dedicated fund, used to
|
||
acquire and preserve valuable
|
||
wildlife habitat.
|
||
|
||
The biggest threat to wildlife
|
||
is not hunting, but habitat
|
||
destruction. US Fish & Wildlife
|
||
Chief John Turner said "The real
|
||
tragedy [for wildlife] is pollution,
|
||
pesticides, urbanization,
|
||
deforestation, hazardous waste, lack
|
||
of water and wet land destruction."
|
||
|
||
What would be the effect if hunting
|
||
were to be banned?:
|
||
|
||
Sportsmen spend $364,695,300.
|
||
annually on hunting and fishing
|
||
licenses, duck stamps, and related
|
||
travel and equipment purchases in
|
||
Massachusetts every year. A ban on
|
||
hunting would remove the major source
|
||
of income (sale of hunting and
|
||
sporting licenses), causing a
|
||
devastating effect on game and
|
||
non-game programs in the state.
|
||
TRAPPING
|
||
|
||
How is trapping regulated in
|
||
Massachusetts?:
|
||
|
||
The Division of Fisheries and
|
||
Wildlife oversees trapping
|
||
regulations and seasons.
|
||
|
||
Trapping in Massachusetts is
|
||
highly regulated. Each trap has a
|
||
"permanently embedded" registration
|
||
number. Each individual trap and its
|
||
owner, is registered with the state.
|
||
By law, traps must be checked every
|
||
24 hours.
|
||
|
||
Where are traps set?:
|
||
|
||
Traps can only be set under a
|
||
building, in a building, or under
|
||
water. The building must be on land
|
||
owned, leased, or rented by the
|
||
trapper. Traps are not set near
|
||
playgrounds, and places where
|
||
children play. State law prohibits
|
||
trapping "in a public way, cart road,
|
||
or path commonly used by humans or
|
||
domestic animals."
|
||
|
||
Mr. J. Hibbard Robertson,
|
||
Senior Vice President of Woodstream
|
||
Corporation, a major trap
|
||
manufacturer said "In the almost
|
||
fifteen years I have been associated
|
||
with the trap business, I do not
|
||
recall a single incident where anyone
|
||
has approached us and claimed injury
|
||
to a child."
|
||
|
||
Are leghold traps a "vicious" way of
|
||
trapping an animal?:
|
||
|
||
Leghold traps are not "cruel"
|
||
and cannot "chop off' an animal's
|
||
leg. After being trapped, animals
|
||
are often found resting or sleeping
|
||
and can be released unharmed if
|
||
desired. "A Michigan study
|
||
discredits the charge that leghold
|
||
traps cause undue suffering or
|
||
injury." Other studies have shown
|
||
that permanent leg or foot damage to
|
||
the fragile boned red and gray foxes
|
||
occur in less than 1% of the animals
|
||
so trapped.
|
||
|
||
What is the purpose of trapping?:
|
||
|
||
Trapping is the most effective
|
||
and humane method for controlling
|
||
animal populations in densely
|
||
populated areas. To quote from the
|
||
NY State Department of Environmental
|
||
Conservation, "Sound management of
|
||
fur bearing animals requires the use
|
||
of traps... Sarcoptic mange, canine
|
||
distemper, rabies and malnutrition
|
||
are generally far less humane."
|
||
|
||
Leghold traps are recognized,
|
||
accepted and endorsed by the
|
||
conservation community. Wildlife
|
||
experts agree that leghold traps are
|
||
an essential and necessary tool in
|
||
the proper and wise management of fur
|
||
bearers and predators. The Center
|
||
for Disease Control has stated it
|
||
believes "trapping can help in
|
||
managing animal populations to
|
||
prevent overpopulation and thus
|
||
reduce the potential for disease
|
||
outbreaks."
|
||
|
||
What kinds of animals are trapped?:
|
||
|
||
No endangered species is
|
||
threatened by leghold traps, or any
|
||
kind of trapping.
|
||
|
||
Farmers across the state rely
|
||
on trapping to control animals that
|
||
damage their crops. Raccoons may
|
||
look "cute", but each year they do
|
||
extensive crop damage and they can
|
||
carry rabies, and roundworm (a
|
||
parasite that is dangerous to
|
||
humans). Trapping is used to control
|
||
the state's raccoon population.
|
||
|
||
MANDATORY TRAINING AND TESTING
|
||
|
||
What is Massachusetts' firearms
|
||
accident rate?:
|
||
|
||
The Massachusetts Bureau of
|
||
Vital Statistics and Records lists
|
||
eight categories of accidental death
|
||
from the highest (#1) to the lowest
|
||
(#8). Firearms-related accidents are
|
||
#8 -- last on the list. The firearms
|
||
category includes civilian as well as
|
||
police and military accidents. (For
|
||
comparison, the firearms accidents
|
||
are only 3% of the #1 category --
|
||
automobiles.)
|
||
|
||
Would a mandatory program affect the
|
||
accident rate?:
|
||
|
||
No. Rhode Island instituted a
|
||
mandatory training and testing
|
||
program in 1980 and spent over
|
||
$245,000 of taxpayer's money on the
|
||
program in the first five years.
|
||
Prior to implementation, Rhode
|
||
Island's average annual accidental
|
||
death rate associated with firearms
|
||
was 2 incidents. This rate has
|
||
remained stable over the seven years
|
||
of the program, proving this program
|
||
has had no effect, beneficial or
|
||
adverse, on the accident rate.
|
||
|
||
From 1975 to 1985, the
|
||
Massachusetts population increased by
|
||
8%, and the number of licensed gun
|
||
owners increased by 35,000-40,000
|
||
annually. Total murder by firearms
|
||
declined 15% and total firearms
|
||
accidental deaths declined 33%.
|
||
|
||
How would a mandatory training and
|
||
testing program be run?:
|
||
|
||
If the government were mandated
|
||
to train and test only 1/3 of
|
||
firearms licensees, taxpayers would
|
||
have to pay for a new agency the size
|
||
of our 45-million-dollar-a-year
|
||
Registry of Motor Vehicles. To train
|
||
and test all licensees would require
|
||
taxpayer funding of an agency triple
|
||
the Registry's size.
|
||
|
||
How much would it cost to create a
|
||
mandatory training program?:
|
||
|
||
According to a member of
|
||
National Rifle Association's Range
|
||
Development Committee, the least
|
||
expensive range to build in order to
|
||
accommodate this type of training
|
||
would be $75,000 for a 2-4 position
|
||
indoor in an already existing
|
||
building. Using the above number,
|
||
therefore, it would cost the state
|
||
approximately $1,188,000 annually,
|
||
with no evident of a gain in safety
|
||
or a decrease in accident rates.
|
||
|
||
Has the state legislature voted on
|
||
this issue?:
|
||
|
||
Yes. The legislature has
|
||
consistently voted against mandatory
|
||
training and testing every time the
|
||
issue has come before it. The most
|
||
recent vote was 103 to 47 in the 1987
|
||
session. However, many police
|
||
departments have a "policy" of
|
||
requiring License to Carry Firearms
|
||
applicants to take, pay for, and pass
|
||
a course. It should be noted that
|
||
the Greenfield District Court ruled
|
||
this "requirement" illegal in 1981.
|
||
|
||
Is there an alternative program?:
|
||
|
||
Yes. Massachusetts already has
|
||
a voluntary program involving NRA
|
||
Certified Instructors contributing
|
||
their time, sportsmen's clubs
|
||
contributing their facilities, and
|
||
GOAL referring citizens to courses
|
||
all across the state. To taxpayers,
|
||
the entire program costs nothing.
|
||
Best of all, this voluntary program
|
||
works: Massachusetts' firearms
|
||
accident rate is well below the
|
||
national average.
|
||
|
||
Massachusetts General Law
|
||
Chapter 269, Section 11 requires the
|
||
Secretary of the Commonwealth to
|
||
produce posters about the gun laws,
|
||
and requires school superintendents
|
||
to distribute the poster. However,
|
||
this is not done. Adherence to this
|
||
law, in conjunction with the
|
||
continuation of our voluntary
|
||
training and testing program and the
|
||
establishment of school "Firearms
|
||
Safety Days" (akin to Fire Safety
|
||
Days), would further enhance
|
||
Massachusetts already outstanding
|
||
firearms safety record.
|
||
SNUB-NOSED HANDGUNS
|
||
|
||
What is a "snub-nosed" handgun?:
|
||
|
||
Used interchangeably with the
|
||
terms "snubbie" and "Saturday Night
|
||
Special", a "snub-nosed" handgun
|
||
usually refers to a firearm with a
|
||
barrel length of three inches or
|
||
less. All three terms were coined by
|
||
organized anti-gun groups and have
|
||
been heavily used in the media, but
|
||
never by firearms manufacturers. The
|
||
term "Chief s Special" is also used
|
||
because it is the model name of a
|
||
two-inch barrel handgun that is
|
||
carried by many police officers.
|
||
|
||
Are "snubbie's" used for legitimate
|
||
sporting purposes?:
|
||
|
||
Yes. So-called "Snubbie-shoots"
|
||
take place at many sportsmen's clubs
|
||
all across the state. The average
|
||
snubbie is quite accurate up to 3035
|
||
yards -- perfectly adequate for many
|
||
kinds of target shooting.
|
||
Additionally, the FBI reports most
|
||
criminal attacks take place within
|
||
seven feet, making the snubbie a
|
||
valuable self defense tool.
|
||
|
||
Is the "snub-nosed" handgun the
|
||
criminal's choice?:
|
||
|
||
No. Evidence shows that "the
|
||
criminal's choice" is any gun he can
|
||
steal or make. An exhaustive,
|
||
federally funded study, Under the
|
||
Gun: Weapons, Crime and Violence in
|
||
America, found that when asked what
|
||
they would do if handguns didn't
|
||
exist, convicted criminals revealed
|
||
they would cut down bigger guns and
|
||
make "sawed-off' shotguns -- both
|
||
federal offenses -- to use in crimes.
|
||
|
||
Are "snub-nosed" handguns cheap to
|
||
buy?:
|
||
|
||
No. The following is a list of
|
||
the models and retail prices of five
|
||
handguns with barrel lengths of three
|
||
inches or less: Smith & Wesson Model
|
||
36 Chief's Special ($338.00), Smith &
|
||
Wesson Model 66 Stainless ($404.00),
|
||
Ruger Speed Six Stainless ($320.00),
|
||
Ruger Police Service Six (288.00),
|
||
and Taurus Model 85 ($223.00).
|
||
|
||
Clearly, most "snubbie's"
|
||
cannot be lawfully purchased at a low
|
||
cost. But why should price be a
|
||
concern? Under the Gun: Weapons,
|
||
Crime and Violence in America, found
|
||
no proof that less expensive handguns
|
||
are used more frequently in crime
|
||
than more expensive ones. Further,
|
||
while it is true that higher income
|
||
whites with some college education
|
||
are those most likely to own
|
||
handguns, should guns be priced out
|
||
of reach of law-abiding but less
|
||
affluent members of society?
|
||
|
||
In Restricting Handguns: the
|
||
Liberal Skeptics Speak Out, author
|
||
and civil-rights attorney Don B.
|
||
Kates points out that prohibitions
|
||
against the sale of "cheap" handguns
|
||
originated in the post Civil war
|
||
South. At that time, small pistols
|
||
selling for 50 or 60 cents became
|
||
available to recently emancipated
|
||
blacks who, if armed, could have
|
||
posed a threat to the racist Southern
|
||
establishment. In Public Interest,
|
||
author B. Bruce-Briggs states "It is
|
||
difficult to escape the conclusion
|
||
that the 'Saturday Night Special' is
|
||
emphasized because it is ... being
|
||
sold to a particular class of
|
||
people."
|
||
|
||
Who owns "snub-nosed" handguns?:
|
||
|
||
Next to police, the largest
|
||
category of lawful "snubbie" owners
|
||
is women. "Snubbie's" are the
|
||
perfect size for the average-framed
|
||
woman, who prefers to carry a firearm
|
||
concealed on her person rather than
|
||
in a handbag. Because they are easy
|
||
to handle and compact in size,
|
||
"Snubbie's" are also desirable for
|
||
elderly and the handicapped,
|
||
especially those confined to
|
||
wheelchairs.
|
||
|
||
PLASTIC GUNS
|
||
|
||
What are plastic guns and who
|
||
manufactures them?:
|
||
|
||
Despite what you may have read, the
|
||
idea that a new breed of plastic guns
|
||
has been developed, capable of
|
||
bypassing airport security systems,
|
||
is a myth. The notion of plastic
|
||
guns, or "hijacker" or "terrorist
|
||
specials" as they have been called,
|
||
was entirely created by the media.
|
||
There are no companies that
|
||
manufacture guns made entirely of
|
||
plastic.
|
||
|
||
Do any guns have plastic parts?:
|
||
|
||
Most handguns and all long guns
|
||
have had both metallic and non-
|
||
metallic parts for many years. There
|
||
is no such thing as an all-plastic
|
||
gun capable of firing a bullet. The
|
||
firearm that's been referred to as
|
||
the "plastic gun" is the Glock 17,
|
||
which is 83% metal. It is the
|
||
standard issue of the Austrian Army.
|
||
|
||
What do experts say about plastic
|
||
guns?:
|
||
|
||
Federal Aviation Administration
|
||
(FAA) official Ed Farrar told the
|
||
Washington Times "we are not
|
||
concerned (about the Glock) ... we
|
||
were until we made a test." FAA
|
||
Director of Civil Aviation Security
|
||
Billie Vincent testified before a
|
||
House Subcommittee that the Glock 17
|
||
is easily detected by all airport
|
||
security systems. He stated that
|
||
"... there is no current non-metal
|
||
firearm which is not reasonably
|
||
detectable by present technology and
|
||
methods in use at our airports
|
||
today..." The Bureau of Alcohol,
|
||
Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) testified
|
||
in 1986 that the Glock contains a
|
||
sufficient amount of metal to be
|
||
detected by standard security
|
||
systems. In fact, the BATF approved
|
||
the Glock 17's importation into the
|
||
United States.
|
||
|
||
Emanuel Kaphelsohn, President
|
||
of Peregrine Corporation, in 1986
|
||
testimony, stated that the plastic
|
||
gun issue "is a placebo which cannot
|
||
be expected to have any significant
|
||
effect on crime or terrorism, but
|
||
will serve only to divert attention
|
||
and energy from more realistic
|
||
attempts to improve the security of
|
||
our state's airports and public
|
||
buildings."
|
||
|
||
Is there evidence that the Glock 17
|
||
can bypass security?:
|
||
|
||
In 1986, syndicated columnist
|
||
Jack Anderson claimed that Pentagon
|
||
security expert Noel Koch twice "got
|
||
past" security checks at Washington's
|
||
National Airport with a dismantled
|
||
Glock 17. However, Anderson's column
|
||
failed to mention that, at that same
|
||
time, FBI agents "got past" the same
|
||
airport security checks with several
|
||
full-steel firearms, including a
|
||
standard issue Colt .45 caliber
|
||
handgun and a Beretta 9 mm handgun.
|
||
|
||
Is there a problem with America's
|
||
airport security?:
|
||
|
||
Yes. In 1985, a CBS "60
|
||
Minutes" broadcast placed the blame
|
||
for the poor state of airport
|
||
security on bad security
|
||
administration. They cited human
|
||
error, lack of employee training, and
|
||
lack of employee background checks.
|
||
CBS pointed out that even though
|
||
airport security employees are
|
||
entrusted with the most crucial role
|
||
of airport security, many employees
|
||
hold criminal records, are found
|
||
inebriated on duty, and experience
|
||
great discontent causing a high
|
||
turnover rate for these minimum-wage
|
||
positions.
|
||
|
||
Attempts to abolish something
|
||
that does not presently exist, only
|
||
directs attention away from more
|
||
important issues, such as dependable
|
||
security systems. We should
|
||
concentrate our efforts on the
|
||
resolution of our existing problems
|
||
rather than chasing non-issues. |