On gun laws, Mass. emerges as a model

[SecularMotion]

On Wednesday, Beacon Hill experienced a surreal day. In a country where gun-control proposals usually provoke a harsh backlash from uncompromising gun-rights advocates, the Massachusetts House passed legislation to tighten up the state’s already tough gun laws, and it was praised by both gun control advocates and gun rights lobbyists. With the vote, the state has turned itself into a leader when it comes to bridging what often seems like an intractable gulf between the two sides.

“Overall, I’m thrilled,” said John Rosenthal, head of Stop Handgun Violence and the creator of the Massachusetts Turnpike billboard that currently estimates 50,000 Americans have died from gun violence since the Newtown, Conn., elementary school massacre in 2012. “It’s the first time in a long time where everyone could be heard.”

Concurring was the organization one might least expect, the Gun Owners Action League. The state affiliate of the National Rifle Association called the bill “a great victory for Second Amendment advocates in Massachusetts.”

GOAL won several changes to the original legislation, including the requirement that police chiefs who deny a gun permit explain why in writing and that state suicide data collection include all forms of suicides, not just those from firearms. Another change allows private firearms sales to be made via a state online portal rather than forcing buyers and sellers to complete the transaction at a licensed dealer.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/07/12/gun-laws-mass-emerges-model/KhSU8PJXXArVqkGeTHrVpN/story.html

[hack89]

1. Other than the police chief discretion portion, this is a good bill

I suspect Peruta will eventually force MA to go shall issue.

[blueridge3210]

2. Seems pretty likely. (nt)

[Eleanors38]

3. Just the way I see it. DUers should note the use of

Private sales using an on-line portal instead of the dealer route -- something similar has been advocated by pro-2A folks for years. Sounds like the corruptible "may issue" scheme is wheezing its last breath.

[Duckhunter935]

4. agreed

I think shall issue is the the best way

[spin]

5. It appears that gun control advocates and gun rights advocates can work together....

to create legislation that can improve current state gun laws.

Both sides need to approach the task of writing such legislation realizing that some compromise is necessary.

I feel most gun owners support background checks on private sales as long as the process is fairly painless. The state online portal to accomplish this is an interesting idea.

I strongly support "shall issue" as I feel that a police chief should have no say in my right to own a firearm or legally carry one. One thing I like about "shall issue" is that it eliminates discrimination based on racism. However requiring a police chief who denies a permit to explain why in writing is an improvement.

In my opinion we might make considerable progress on our national gun laws if gun control advocates would stop insisting that certain firearms be banned or limits placed on the number of rounds a firearm magazine can hold. It might be wise if gun control advocates simply banned the use of the word "ban." Dianne Feinstein's push for another assault weapons ban poisoned any chance for passing reasonable gun control legislation through Congress last year.

It is possible that if the Massachusetts online portal for gun sales works, it could be a model for background checks on private sales at the national level.

[Eleanors38]

6. Credible advocates of UBC in the states can advocate for the portal approach.

I have my doubts that credible advocates can be found in Bansalot, but in the various states reasonable people can start campaigns for state requirements using a portal to NICS -- at no extra cost.

[spin]

7. Sounds like a plan to me. I currently rarely sell my firearms but when I do ...

The buyer has to be a resident of Florida who I know well. He/she also has to have a valid Florida concealed weapons permit.

[sarisataka]

8. Sounds like a good bill overall

The may issue is bothersome but at least having to give a reason will limit the arbitrariness seen elsewhere that caused the push for shall issue laws.

I am a bit surprised that all expressed support is one sided. This seems ideal and is what some groups have been asking for, discussion and compromise. It also dovetails with the statement that such groups support firearms ownership while wanting common sense controls. This fits to a "T"