Retrospective on MA Gun Law "Crackdown"

HarrySchell · February 19, 2013, 06:50 PM

http://bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/...kEM/story.html

In 1998 MA instituted much "stronger" gun control laws, and was hailed for having the toughest gun laws in the country.

"The 1998 legislation did cut down, quite sharply, on the legal use of guns in Massachusetts. Within four years, the number of active gun licenses in the state had plummeted. “There were nearly 1.5 million active gun licenses in Massachusetts in 1998,” the AP reported. “In June [2002], that number was down to just 200,000.” The author of the law, state Senator Cheryl Jacques, was pleased that the Bay State’s stiff new restrictions had made it possible to “weed out the clutter.”

It appears that the English experience with disarming citizens has repeated itself, with gun and other violent crime rising significantly from 1998.

Maybe weeding out "the clutter" wasn't such a great idea after all.

MercyfulFate · February 19, 2013, 08:51 PM

As a Massachusetts resident, the laws here are insane. They're restrictive just to be difficult, not to be safe. They have the "List" of approved firearms, and then the Attorney General keeps a "SECRET LIST" of guns that can mean the gun you just bought has to be returned.

It's insane. Now they're trying to pass forced liability insurance, typing guns to homeowners insurance, all types of insane crap.

February 19, 2013, 06:50 PM	#1
HarrySchell Senior Member Join Date: March 30, 2007 Location: South CA Posts: 566	Retrospective on MA Gun Law "Crackdown" http://bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/...kEM/story.html In 1998 MA instituted much "stronger" gun control laws, and was hailed for having the toughest gun laws in the country. "The 1998 legislation did cut down, quite sharply, on the legal use of guns in Massachusetts. Within four years, the number of active gun licenses in the state had plummeted. “There were nearly 1.5 million active gun licenses in Massachusetts in 1998,” the AP reported. “In June [2002], that number was down to just 200,000.” The author of the law, state Senator Cheryl Jacques, was pleased that the Bay State’s stiff new restrictions had made it possible to “weed out the clutter.” It appears that the English experience with disarming citizens has repeated itself, with gun and other violent crime rising significantly from 1998. Maybe weeding out "the clutter" wasn't such a great idea after all. __________________ Loyalty to petrified opinions never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul in this world — and never will. — Mark Twain

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February 19, 2013, 08:51 PM	#2
MercyfulFate Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2013 Posts: 138	As a Massachusetts resident, the laws here are insane. They're restrictive just to be difficult, not to be safe. They have the "List" of approved firearms, and then the Attorney General keeps a "SECRET LIST" of guns that can mean the gun you just bought has to be returned. It's insane. Now they're trying to pass forced liability insurance, typing guns to homeowners insurance, all types of insane crap.