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Linsky Files Gun Violence Legislation
The bill looks to close loopholes in existing state laws, require mental health background checks, strengthen gun storage requirements and require liability insurance for gun owners.
The following is a press release sent by the office of state Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick.
State Rep. David P. Linsky announced today that he has filed “An Act to Reduce Gun Violence and to Protect the Citizens of the Commonwealth,” comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation aimed at closing loopholes in existing state laws, requiring mental health background checks, strengthening gun storage requirements, and requiring liability insurance for gun owners.
“This bill is a comprehensive effort to reduce all types of gun violence – murders, intentional shootings, accidental shootings and suicides. There is not one solution to reducing gun violence – we can’t eliminate it – but there are a lot of common-sense steps that we can take to significantly reduce the everyday tragedy of gun violence and deaths,” said Linsky.
Following a series of tragedies, Linsky invited members of the House and Senate to discuss how gun violence could be reduced in the Commonwealth. Over 150 members and staff attended the meeting, representing a wide array of viewpoints including gun owners, former members of the military, nurses, parents, hunters, and former teachers.
“I have spoken with hundreds of people over the past few weeks in developing this legislation – victims, police officers, criminologists, physicians, and yes - gun owners and sportsmen,” stated Linsky. “There are a lot of good ideas out there. We should all have one goal – reducing gun violence and trying to keep more tragedies from happening.”
Provisions in the bill include:
· Having one standard of the issuance of all gun licenses, giving local police chiefs the ability to evaluate all aspects of an application for a gun license.
· Requires proof of liability insurance for possession of a firearm, rifle or shotgun.
· Requires that all large capacity weapons and grandfathered assault weapons must be stored at gun clubs or target ranges.
· Requires live shooting as part of the curriculum for a basic firearms safety course; this is not a current requirement.
· Requires all applicants for gun licenses and FID cards to sign a waiver of mental health records for review to be destroyed after decision.
· Imposes 25% sales tax on ammunition, firearms, shotguns, and rifles; dedicates funds towards firearms licensing, police training, mental health services, and victim’s services.
· Brings Massachusetts into compliance with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
· Limits gun buyers to one firearm purchase per month.
“Every day in America, 83 people are killed by gun violence. Many are children. We need to stop this madness. All of the data shows that you are many more times likely to shoot yourself or someone in your family than you will ever use a gun in self-defense,” further commented Linsky. “It is time for the American people to tell their Legislators that the NRA and the gun manufacturers do not speak for them – even most gun owners believe that we need tighter restrictions on gun ownership. The overwhelming majority of Americans want these measures enacted.”
Linsky served as Chairman of House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight during the 2011-2012 legislative session, and was an Assistant District in Middlesex County for 14 years prior to becoming a State Representative. Since first being elected to the House in 1999 he has been an advocate for effective gun violence prevention and gun safety laws. He represents Natick, Millis and Sherborn in the House.
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William Dawes
7:49 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
How disturbing that the people of Natick would elect such a dim-witted, Statist who is only too happy to trample on the civil liberties of citizens by promoting legislation that will do absolutely nothing to stop the gun violence perpetrated by gangs and criminals.
This man would run out to through rose petals in front of a Fascist, as long as the Fascist promised to keep him safe, and promised that everything was done "for the children."
Apparently, Sinclair Lewis was wrong. He should have said "when fascism comes to America, it will be said to be done for the children, and greeted warmly by Liberals."
If only Liberals in this State read essays by true Liberal thinkers like Glenn Greewald and Chris Hedges.
Truly, Fahrenheit 451 has come to pass. Everyone is entertained, and no one has the ability to think critically.
I, unlike Linsky, weep for the children and for the future. The Police/Surveillance State is growing stronger by the day, and an important step in that is disarming the people step by step.
George Orwell was right when he wrote, "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever."
William Dawes
7:50 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Oops. I meant "throw", not "through".
William Dawes
8:04 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Please, for a moment, consider the larger picture, and tell me what direction the country is heading.
The president has said he has the ability to assassinate American citizens without due process. All your electronic communications are recorded by the government - google "stellar wind" and "William Binney". The Department of Homeland Security has purchase orders for 1.8 BILLION rounds of ammunition, much of it .40 caliber hollowpoint ammunition (illegal to use in war per the Geneva Convention).
The TSA is expanding out of airports and into train stations and bus stations.
Drones, originally used only in warfare, and only outside of the country, are now in the skies above the continental United States.
William Dawes
8:05 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
We are now in a period, like in the novel 1984, of endless war.
More and more of our economy is propped up by the endless printing of fiat currency by the Federal Reserve, most of which goes to enrich the Financial Sector, which produces nothing.
Many people probably think - this man is a Conservative Republican - but I am not. I have disdain and disgust for both the Democrats and the Republicans. They are both selling the country down the river, which bailing out the bankers.
And now, put this disarming of citizens into context. When the next violent, "unforeseen" downturn comes to our economy, the last thing the Oligarchy wants is for an informed populace with guns. The populace is no longer informed, of course, that is a given, so the last measure is to disarm.