Please contact your  MA State House Representative and ask that they support Amendment #96 (see letter in support from GOAL Executive Director Jim Wallace below)

April 21, 2011

Re: FY2012 General Appropriations Act, Amendment #96

Dear Representative,

I am writing today to ask you for your support of Amendment #96 "Fisheries and Wildlife" to the FY 2012 General Appropriations Act filed by Rep. George Peterson. This amendment would increase the proposed budgetary level of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Line item 2310-0200) from $9,400,019 to $10,400,019.  

Since the inception of the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund was established, the sportsmen and women of Massachusetts have continued to fund this state agency with virtually no assistance of the general public or tax dollars. Even the funding from the federal government utilized by the Division is generated through a self imposed excise tax system on items purchased by the sporting community.  

While the available funds for other state agencies continue to decline for many reasons, the funds available for the Division have maintained a very healthy level. The very reason for this level of available funds is the voluntary financial support of the sporting community. It is unlikely that anywhere else in government could anyone find an agency completely funded voluntarily by the citizens wanting a particular service.  

On behalf of the members of Gun Owners' Action League, I ask that you move favorably on Amendment #96 "Fisheries and Wildlife" and thereby allow the agency to utilize the very funds that have been made available to it.

Thank you for your consideration and as always if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  

Sincerely,

James L. Wallace

Executive Director

GOAL Bill H.1568 An Act Relative to Civil Rights and Public Safety

Please visit our site dedicated to this bill!  

In 1998, Massachusetts lawmakers passed what they said was one of the toughest gun control laws in the country.

Yet, in the decade since the laws were passed, firearm-related crime has increased dramatically. Gun-related deaths alone have increased by 68%, and gun-related assault injuries have increased by 72%. Emergency room visits due to gun-related assaults have increased by a whopping 222%.

The answer isn't more gun control laws.

It's better laws.

We need to take illegal weapons out of the hands of criminals and put those criminals in jail. We also need to respect law-abiding citizens' right to own a firearm.

We believe we can do both.

In 2011, we are working with members of the State Legislature to file a comprehensive rewrite of the Massachusetts gun law. The legislation, H.1568 is intended to bring reason and clarity back to our gun laws. We encourage you to review GOAL's approach to reform and then review the evidence we have provided throughout the site.  

New classes added at The GOAL Foundation!
Click here for our 2011 Schedule! 

• New! Special 2 Day Combat Focus Shooting with Rob Pincus Class July 9&10 2011, click here for more information 
• Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO) Course at Holyoke Revolver Club, October 1 & 2, 2011, sign up - information here 

email or call Tara @ GOAL to sign up, or for more information. 
508-393-5333 x203

The new classes will fill quickly, don't delay! 

• Have them go to any page on our website www.goal.org

• Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Friday News" image.

• This will open a new page with a box where they input their email address, click enter, and they are done!