EOPS/FRB Advisory Letter Sent to MA. FFL's 

EOPS/FRB Advisory Letter Update

May 26, 2011

Earlier this week Gun Owners' Action League was alerted by our members who had received a so-called advisory letter from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. This letter was unsigned and undated and was in regards to the current assault weapons and large capacity feeding device laws.

As GOAL stated in our initial alert on this matter, the letter was full of factual errors and provided very bad information regarding the laws in question. Upon receiving a copy of the letter and confirming the erroneous information contained it we immediately contacted our friends in the legislature. Both chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and others were contacted by GOAL. The House Chair of the Committee, Harold Naughton told GOAL that he would be sending a letter to the agency asking that they appear before the Committee and explain the discrepancies in the letter.

GOAL also contacted the agency ourselves and on Wednesday afternoon we received a phone call stating the agency was conducting an "internal review" of the advisory letter. The Executive Director of GOAL spent some time going over the many concerns we had with the nature of the advisory and the misinformation contained in it. He also reminded the agency that they have no legal grounds to "interpret law" as they had done in the letter.

"Once again we have a government entity in Massachusetts that is seeking to establish laws that simply don't exist," said Jim Wallace Executive Director of GOAL. "Whether this is an intentional bully tactic to end run the legislative process or simple incompetence, neither is acceptable. In either case it is yet another clear example of the government not understanding the law or its own constitutional limits."

GOAL will continue to investigate the matter and press the administration for an answer and hold them accountable. To see a copy of the advisory letter go to: http://www.goal.org/Documents/eopspg1.pdf

E-FA10 Issue. 

FA-10 Form Alert

May 26, 2011

Gun Owners' Action League has recently received a letter from the Firearms Record Bureau (FRB) dated May 23, 2011. The letter is in regards to the new E-FA-10 Online Firearms Transaction Recording Application.

Most Massachusetts gun owners are familiar with the current FA-10 sales and transfer form. This form is required to be filed with the state whenever a gun is transferred, sold, etc. Under the law, licensed individuals in the state are allowed to privately transfer up to four guns in a calendar year utilizing the FA-10 form.

The letter from the FRB states that on June 1, 2011 the new online version of the form, the E-FA-10, will replace the current paper forms. What is unclear is whether or not the paper forms will still be available for those people who do not have access to the internet, high speed or not.

On Thursday, May 26, 2011 GOAL received a call from Senator Ben Downing's office. The Senator's staff stated that they had been in contact with agency personal and were assured that paper copies of the FA-10 would still be available through local police stations and so-forth. GOAL has received information from other sources that the paper forms will no longer be available.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no clear answer as of yet. GOAL will continue to work on the matter and keep our members informed of any new developments.

H.2400 Receives A Favorable Vote! 

GOAL Bill H.2400 "FAVORABLE" vote! Please help us move it along!

GOAL's FSED for MA Legislators A Huge Success! 

2011 FSED for MA Legislators a great success!

5/20/2011, N. Leominster Rod & Gun Club,

GOAL's 3rd Annual Firearms Safety and Education Day for MA Legislators and their staff continues to receive high praise from attending legislators and staffers.

Gun Owners' Action League's Executive Director, James Wallace enthusiastically greeted the many MA Legislators and their staff who, unfazed by a cold and cloudy Spring day showed up in droves to participate in the shoot. After a safety briefing and presentation by GOAL's Director of Education Jon Green, the assembled legislators and their staffers were split into groups and went on their way to shoot and participate in some great firearms related activities.

The firearms options available were many and included, shooting skeet, trap, a slew of handguns ranging from .22 cal revolvers, to compact carry guns to a Smith & Wesson "Bone Collector", a few even dared to try it! Also available and very popular were many types of rifles including a Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22, Auto Ordnance M1 Carbine and Tommy Gun, and of course the ever popular Smith & Wesson M&P 15's which were fitted with ACOG sights, these proved to be extremely popular with the legislators, many of which had great fun ringing the gong that was 200 yards away!

As always, the legislators left the day with a new appreciation for firearms, and an education in not only their responsible use, but to how fun they are.

GOAL would like to extend a huge thanks to Kahr Arms/Auto Ordnance, Smith & Wesson, Winchester, The North Leominster Rod & Gun Club, and all of the incredible firearm instructors that made GOAL's 2011 Legislative FSED possible. 

Thanks again, we look forward to next year!

For more please visit GOAL.org 

From the Desk of GOAL's Director of Membership Services:

Greetings from Central Mass,

I am pleased to announce that last week I processed lots of renewals for our Affiliated Club Program.  This important program offers many benefits, if you belong to a club, please help us ensure your rights are protected by urging them to affiliate if they are not already!

Affiliated Club Renewals, this past week.  Thank you! 

• Acushnet Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc.
• Ashfield Rod & Gun Club, Inc. 
• Brewster Sportsman's Club  
• Cape Cod Fish & Game Association
• Chicopee Sportsman's Club
• Copicut Rifle Association, Inc.
• Harvard Sportsmen's Club
• Holliston Sportsmen's Association
• Mansfield Fish & Game Protective Association
• Marshfield Rod & Gun Club, Inc.
• Martha's Vineyard, Rod & Gun Club, Inc.
• North Reading Rifle Club 
• Stony Brook Fish & Game Association
• Worcester County League of Sportsmen
• Wrentham Sportsmen's Association  

The GOAL store is experiencing a high volume of orders and we have several new products to offer, including the GOAL logo Skinning knife and GOAL logo Belt Buckles.   As always, we have our most popular items in stock (hats and T-shirts), ready to be shipped to our loyal members.  Please visit the GOAL Store either online or here in the office if you are interested in receiving some of our items.  Look for a new tee shirt design next week! 

Thank you again for helping us fight the good fight.  

Tara McGrath

Director of Membership Services

Club Relations Officer

• June 18, 2011 GOAL "Freedom Rising Summer Banquet @ Boxborough Holiday Inn - Details soon! 
• September 11, 2011 GOAL Club Rep Seminar at Marlborough Royal Plaza - Best Western - Details Soon! 
• September 18, 2011Crushing Clays Jr Trap Championship