Massachusetts: Less Than 48 Hours Left in 2014 Legislative Session

With less than 48 hours left in the 2014 legislative session, rumors are circulating that several conference committee members are considering a possible compromise provision which still creates a discretionary FID licensing system for long guns in the Commonwealth.  The NRA opposes any form of discretion in issuing FID cards for long guns, and it is critical that you call and e-mail your state legislators and members of the conference committee in the final hours.  

As previously reported, the state Senate stripped some of the most egregious anti-gun provisions from Senate Bill 2265, including the elimination of the discretionary component which would have created a new “may issue” FID issuance standard.  This discretionary component would allow issuing authorities unlimited discretion to deny firearms identification cards.  Other significant changes were made, including the adoption of an amendment which addressed the provision denying a person who has had their firearms seized with the ability to have their personal property transferred within ten days to a lawfully licensed individual.

Personal bias should not be enough to strip a law-abiding gun owner of their constitutional right to keep and bear arms and self-defense, and it is critical that ANY discretionary provision remain out of the conference committee report.

Please call and e-mail your state Senator AND Representative urging them to put pressure on leadership to retain the Senate changes made to S.2265 and to report a clean bill from the conference committee that does not infringe on your Second Amendment rights.  In addition, using the contact information provided below, please also call and e-mail members of the conference committee.  Your action today could make all the difference!

Conference Committee:

Senator Anthony Petruccelli (D - First Suffolk and Middlesex)
Phone: 617-722-1634
E-mail: [email protected]

Senator Bruce Tarr (R - First Essex and Middlesex)
Phone: 617-722-1600
E-mail: [email protected]

Senator James Timilty (D – Bristol and Norfolk)
Phone: 617-722-1222
E-mail: [email protected]

Representative George Peterson (R - Ninth Worcester)
Phone: 617-722-2100
E-mail: [email protected]

Representative Ronald Mariano (D - Third Norfolk)
Phone: 617-722-2300
E-mail: [email protected]

Representative Garrett Bradley (D - Third Plymouth)
Phone: 617-722-2520
E-mail: [email protected]