Lexington MA where freedom began, to ban possession of Semi-autos

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Here is one site fighting it with a link to the article

Article 34 – Lexington for Liberty

also here is the town warrant with the article

http://www.lexingtonma.gov/sites/lexingtonma/files/uploads/2016-atm-stm2016-3-warrants-final_1.pdf

http://www.lexingtonma.gov/sites/lexingtonma/files/uploads/2016-atm-stm2016-3-warrants-final_1.pdf

 

[italiansport]

Keep in mind that this is a State the intends to re-introduce the Eastern Diamond Back rattler to a "deserted" island in Quabbin reservoir!
Jim

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Also the last 3 speakers of the house were indited and the current one is an un-indited co-conspirator.

In 1976 they tried to ban all handguns, that gave birth to GOAL who helped defeat the bill.

 

[Donn]

No offense Ben, but this attitude toward firearms in your state, (and the Northeast in general), didn't just happen last night. Seems like the majority of the population are OK with the way things have gone and are going. I wish you luck, you've got a big hill to climb.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

No offense Ben, but this attitude toward firearms in your state, (and the Northeast in general), didn't just happen last night. Seems like the majority of the population are OK with the way things have gone and are going. I wish you luck, you've got a big hill to climb.

I agree, we have been fighting it for years. Back in 1976 while I was still in the Navy, Mass had a ballot question to ban all handguns for everyone, it led to the formation of GOAL (Gun Owners Action League) and was defeated, but not overwhelmingly. This is the state that loves Kerry, Warren, and Clinton and will vote for Sanders today.

I have been working with my state senator to try to bring some sense to the laws but it is an uphill battle.

For example, in Mass a 17 year old can get a Firearms Identification Card and can take an M1 Garand to the range by themselves, but it is illegal for them to even hold a BB gun, even in their own yard without someone over 21 next to them.

Oh and slingshots are illegal too.

 

[vt_shooter]

After they get rid of the guns they don't like, they'll work towards getting rid of the speech they don't like. And the beat goes on ...

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Both Sanders and Clinton have said they want to overturn Citizen's United, so much for the 1st Amendment.

Also they would overturn the law protecting gun makers.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Last night Lexington had it's selectmens meeting to discuss and vote on this article before sending it to Town Meeting. Many people including the Chief of Police stood to stand against it. The board said the state of Mass, with some of the toughest gun laws in the country, need even stricter gun control but not at the town level. Now it goes to Town Meeting but if the selectmen are 5-0 in opposition to this, it would take alot to pass it.

from the GOAL facebook page regarding this

ICYMI, tonight was a great first step towards defeating Article 34, Lexington's proposed firearms ban. Lexington citizens were joined by neighbors from surrounding towns, one after another they spoke out against Article 34 and any attempt at infringing our natural rights. When the last person had given testimony, Lexington's Chief Corr joined with the citizens and spoke out against the article. Next, the board of selectmen asked Mr. Rotberg what he would like to do, if he would like to continue to submit the article as a bylaw amendment, or as a resolution. Interestingly enough, Mr. Rotberg chose to put the onus on the selectmen, so they spoke out. One after another they refused to support Article 34 as a bylaw amendment. They followed this by refusing to support Article 34 as a resolution.

Article 34 was handed a resounding defeat tonight. But it's not over.

On April 6th, Lexington residents and town meeting members will gather again at the annual town meeting, where they will vote once and for all.

The work is not over yet, and we must remain vigilant, until the final vote is cast.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to support our Bill Of Rights tonight in Lexington.

Captain Parker would be proud. As are we.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

There's one new comment on the Lexington TMM forum that captures the writer's learning process about firearms and the proposed bylaw in a very insightful way.

Several people have admitted that they don't understand guns and the differences between scary guns and those that are "ok"

of course they say they need to meet how to discuss how to end gun violence. Maybe at least some are realizing that like in Chicago, banning doesn't work.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Longmeadow Mass has jumped on the bandwagon, they are looking to ban all "assault" weapons with no grandfathering also ban concealed carry, or even cased carry on town owned property including the sidewalk in front of your house,
But even worse

One of the bills in Longmeadow is the requirement to register all your guns with the local police department when you renew your license.

Since we already have to register at the time of purchase (some will say it is registration of the sale but if you look at the website for the eFA10 it no longer pretends it is not sale registration as it says on the form "Firearm Registration" )
How is this even legal?

Also how will they tell you are telling the truth unless they start home inspections, either with warrants or by asking and if you refuse you will be flagged as unsuitable to have a license and you will lose your license and your guns.

 

[hoosierone]

The only solution for freedom loving residents of MA is to leave.

I was born and grew up in IL. When my wife wanted to downsize post retirement I looked east to IN and we made the move. Got my carry license within 30 days of moving. Haven't looked back. Daughter and family, living in IL just got a chance to move to TX. To my regret they will be gone shortly. He (sil)does very well so IL will be losing some tax revenue.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

They have failed to get rid on guns statewide here, although they keep trying, now they are going town by town.
Lexington
Longmeadow
Ipswich
Westport
West Boylston

every week we hear of another town trying to restrict guns and be stricter than the crazy state laws we already have.

 

[Backlighting]

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent" -Thomas Jefferson

 

[finesse_r]

Now would be an excellent time for the NRA to lead an all out assault on this new law if it passes. In light of the recent supreme court ruling the ground is certainly right for hoping there would be a reversal of any such law.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

It is interesting that the Mass Superior Court, our state version of the SCOTUS, held that there is no individual right in Mass to have a gun.

 

[Franklin]

Reading through this thread SCARES THE HE_ _ OUT OF ME. People better wake up in November!

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

My son says "Trump and Cruz scare the heck out of him" he is a Bernie supporter. Well Bern and Hill scare the H out of me because they are talking Australia type gun control, confiscation. Also they support O's nominee for the SJC and he is super anti-gun.
Here in Mass they are trying the little strokes method of boiling the frog and I hope they don't succeed as it spread

 

[BC38]

Didn't SCOTUS just strike down part of the MA law that restricted 2A protection for weapons not available at the time the Constitution was written?

Seems like a step in the right direction...

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

Yes they did, but in Mass we are still not sure how that will impact us since our highest court has held we don't have a right to any sort of firearm, rifle or shotgun, it is not a personal right.

Longmeadow is trying to go Lexington one step better, here is a summary

From the National Firearms Education and Information Group
they summarize it better than I can

Massachusetts Town Proposes Firearms Registration Law and Other Strict Gun Control Measures

File this one under absurd gun laws and deranged local politicians trying to make a name for themselves…

Longmeadow, Massachusetts is a town situated on the border with Connecticut, just south of Springfield. This week a Town Selectman, Alex Grant, proposed new gun control laws on the town that will require firearms registration for all citizens, a complete ban on firearms designated as "assault weapons", and severe penalties for anyone possessing any firearms on town owned property.

The laws that are proposed include:

The first of the gun control warrant articles calls for a $300 fine to be imposed on anyone who possesses a firearm, rifle or shotgun in town-owned buildings or on recreation property.
The second would require gun owners to provide the police department with descriptions (including the serial number, make, model, and caliber) of each firearm, rifle, or shotgun they own.
A third proposed bylaw would ban assault weapons in Longmeadow, and impose a $300 per day fine on people who own them within the town.

If passed, the law would make anyone in the town who owns an assault weapon a criminal, with a $300 per day fine imposed. It's also one of the first town laws in the United States that attempts to create a law enforcement controlled database of all firearms owned in the town.

The proposed laws are expected to come up for debate at an upcoming Town Committee meeting.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I am already in the Moderators' Dog House

So instead of posting what I think about the proposed regulations in Lexington
I will post a warm and fuzzy picture of Hello Kitty

(Post Ban DPMS LR-243, still legal in NJ)

On a more serious note
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the local ordinance in Highland Park, IL banning Assault Weapons will encourage many municipalities and States to pass similar bans.