Now going to over 19,000 people every week! 
August 1, 2014 
Gun Owners' Action League.

We are the largest civil rights organization in Massachusetts and   
we have been part of the fabric of Massachusetts since 1974
________________________________________________________________ 
 
Please help us continue protecting freedom! 
 
GOAL News - Events and More
  • H.4376 - GOAL Breaks it Down
  • Dog Days Fundraiser - Support GOAL and You Might Win
  • Join GOAL.  Everything we do is made possible by our members
  • GOAL Education - New classes, sign up for one today
  • Club Events - Listing of things to do at a club near you 
  • Follow GOAL on Social Media! Click the logos below and get the newest news first. 

 

 

H.4376 One Step From Becoming Law.       
Bill awaits Governor Patrick's Signature.

Dear Members,

First off, we would like to thank you for all of the unprecedented hard work in communicating a strong and clear message to our legislature.  Over the last 10 weeks we have overwhelmed state house phone lines, emails and mailboxes and we were heard.  In a rapidly evolving legislative climate you did an amazing job staying current and on message.

Going back to the genesis of this fight, Speaker DeLeo's H.4121, the bill we faced on May 27, 2014 was drastically different from what was passed yesterday.  It literally went from being a gun control bill to being a crime control bill.  Some of the many anti Second Amendment provisions that we stopped included a renewed ban on modern sporting rifles and one gun a month legislation.  There are no new magazine or gun bans passed in this legislation.

We were also able to pass many good provisions including a fix of the 90-day grace period in regard to license renewals, elimination of LTC B's, and legalization of pepper spray.

We were successful in stopping many negative and onerous articles and amendments.
  • The original bill would have criminalized private sales of firearms between licensed individuals.
  • This section was struck and private sales remain legal.
  • The original bill would have applied a "suitability" clause to the issuance of FID cards.  This was modified so that the licensing authority now has to prove in court that the applicant is unsuitable.  For the first time ever in MA, the burden of proof is upon the licensing authority.
  • The original bill would have made an FID applicant list a "reason" for applying.  This was struck from the legislation.
  • The original bill would have given the licensing authority the ability to place restrictions on FID cards.  This was struck from the legislation.
  • The original bill had very onerous language regarding confiscated/seized firearms.  We were successful in getting that removed.
  • The original bill would have drastically increased penalties for improper firearms storage, we were successful in removing this language.
  • The original bill would have granted even more power to the MA Chiefs of Police and EOPSS to determine what unsuitability is.  We were successful in removing this language
  • The original bill would have penalized licensees for not renewing early.  We were able to remove this language.
  • The original bill would have given the MA Attorney General unprecedented power over which firearms can be purchased in MA. (EOPSS list).  We were successful in removing this language.
  • The original bill would have given the Colonel of the State Police power to define the curriculum for firearms safety training programs and to determine suitability of trained instructors.  We were successful in removing this language.
  • The original bill would have forced hunter's safety courses and firearms safety courses to include a module on suicide prevention.  This was amended so that the state will now provide hand out materials for the teachers.
  • We were able to defeat a Senate amendment which would have added one gun a month legislation.
  • We were able to defeat a Senate amendment which would have added a renewed AWB ban

H.4376 Accomplished many positive things for Massachusetts gun owners including:

Juniors:
  • Critical training language correction for juniors, this now allows trainers to provide firearms to junior shooters and hunters with parental consent
  • Allow juniors to apply for their FID card a year early (age 14) and receive their card at 15.

Pepper Spray:
  • Person over the age of 18 will no longer need an FID card to purchase pepper spray
  • 15-17 year old can still possess - but must have an FID card

FID:
  • Chiefs must first petition the court to deny someone his/her FID card.
  • Because it is in the courts, it gives GOAL and others the ability to track what Chiefs are doing

Both licenses:
  • The term "prohibited person" is now being used for both licenses - instead of "suitable"
  • This change in the language provides a much need change in framework around whom is prohibited
  • The 90 day grace period - license renewal issue was fixed. Gun owners will now receive a receipt upon renewal, which makes the license valid until the new license is received.

Mental Health:
  • Added language so that people who voluntary seek mental health help will not be listed as a prohibited person

Olympic-style Handguns:
  • There will be exemptions for the sale of Olympic-style handguns in the Commonwealth
  • They were previously not legal to transfer by licensed dealers in the Commonwealth.

Curios and Relic Collectors:
  • Collectors can now purchase handguns and firearms that may not comply with the approved firearms roster

Online portal:
  • Created online portal for face-to-face transfers, preserving private sales

LTC:
  • The Class B License was eliminated; going forward there is only one License to Carry. (LTC).
  • Chiefs now have to put denials in writing
  • For the first time, gun owners can appeal their LTC restrictions in District Court  - now the burden of proof is on the police chief to defend the denial or restriction in District Court and in writing

Confiscation:
  • We added language that if your firearms get confiscated that the licensing authority shall at that time inform the person in writing of their ability to transfer their firearms to an independent licensed individual

Lost & Stolen Firearm:
  • GOAL put in language so that a person who, in good faith, reports their firearm as lost or stolen - this shall not make them considered a prohibited person - period.

Military Personnel:
  • We extended the time period an active duty military member has to become licensed, or renew their license from 90 to 180 days.
  • We exempted active duty military members from having to take the mandatory gun safety training classes

Once again, we would like to thank all of you for all of the hard work.  With your help we changed the tenor of the bill away from being an all out assault on lawful gun owners.

GOAL
Dog Days Fundraiser - Support GOAL and You Might Win!
 

 

GOAL's 2014 Dog Days of Summer Fundraiser.

 


GOAL Education: Sign Up Today!
GOAL Training, take a class today and support GOAL

Sign up today for a GOAL Training Class!     

 

We have plenty of seats open in our upcoming Basic Pistol classes!  Get your LTC or FID today, you won't find better training at a better price!  Click here for more information.  

 

To register for any course, call Angela Fisher at 508-393-5333 ext 20.

Club Events

  • Nipmuc Rod and Gun - 2014 Summer Skeet League - Dates: Aug 3, Aug 10, Aug 17, Aug 24, Aug 31 - Day / Time: Sunday's at 12:00 pm - Cost:  $5/round (25 shots) - Location:  Nipmuc Skeet range - Note: These shoots are open to non-members. For more information contact:
    Nipmuc Rod and Gun 88 fiske Mill Road Upton, MA 01568 508-473-9778 
  • Townsend Rod and Gun Club - Competition Bowling Pin Shoot - August 10 - September 14 - October 12 - Click here for more info
  • Woburn Sportsmen's Association DCM/CMP Competition Program.  50-shot National Match Course.  Open to all shooters 16 years of age or older; juniors are encouraged.  Dates: 9/28, 10/26; Time: Check-in at range 8:45- 9:15 AM.  Firing begins at 10:00 AM.  Place: WSA. Highpower Range, 155 Middlesex Tpk., Bedford, MA.  Entry: includes full payment & completed entry form.  Squadding limited to 36 entrants. Match Fee  $15.00   (checks payable to Woburn Sportsmen's Association); Juniors $5.00 (16 - 20 yrs. old).  For more information, contact Mark Mulvaney Jr; E-mail: [email protected]
  • Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club - Beginner Trap Shooting Clinics will be held from 9 am to Noon on the following dates: Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, August 10.  The clinics are free and open to the public.  One on one instruction, all safety equipment, and firearms are provided.  Youth ages 10 and up must be accompanied by a parent.  The Rifle Range will be closed during the Trap Clinics.Trap shoots on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM. These are open to the public and are held at the Club located at 289 Rindge State Road, (Route 119), Ashburnham, MA. For  more information please contact Keith Maynard via email [email protected]. We usually have some hamburgers and hot dogs available along with soda for purchase at a very reasonable price. - stop by and break some clays! 
  • Lowell Sportsmen's Club - Trap & Skeet: every Sunday at 1pm and Wednesday at 10am, $3/round    
  • Marlboro Fish & Game Club - 3D archery - full breakfast & sign up starting at 7 AM in the hall. If you are new to archery this is a fun way to learn to shoot actual 3 dimensional targets in a hunting scenario.  Check our website for more details.  
  • The CMP is giving CMP affiliated clubs the opportunity to notify surrounding area clubs about there upcoming CMP Sanctioned Match. The Old Colony Sportsman's Assoc. is holding As-Issued MIlitary Matches on Aug.17, Sept.14 and Oct. 5 , 2014.  The location of the range is: Old Colony Sportman's Assn. in Pembroke, MA.  Firing Begins: 8:30am. For more information you may contact the match director: Franco Scarpino at [email protected]. 

  • Wrentham Sportsmen's Association - August 3 - Pistol, Center Fire Iron Sights 25', 50' & 50 yards - $20.00 entry fee. 1:00 pm start. 
  • Petersham Gun Club - Sporting Clays course open every Wednesday at 12 noon. Sundays open 10am till 1pm. Hot lunch served every Sunday. Contact   [email protected].

If your club has an open to the public event you would like to promote, please email the info to [email protected] 

Join GOAL - Now More Than Ever

This e-mail and everything we do is made possible by GOAL Members. If you find information in this e-mail, or anything we do to be helpful, please consider joining, supporting, and or donating to GOAL.

 

"Protecting Your Freedom Begins Here"
Why You Should Join GOAL: Every intrusion on our Second Amendment Rights is an intrusion on all rights. The Constitutional rights and freedoms that you enjoy - and may take for granted - are becoming more fragile each day. Secure your rights for yourself, your family and future generations.

Join GOAL and become part of the solution today. 


 

 

Final Word - Worth Repeating
Thank you again to all of our members for all of the hard work.
_________________________________________________
Thank you for reading the Friday News, remember, this email and everything GOAL does is made possible by our membership.  If you are not a member, please get in the fight and join GOAL
 
Sincerely,
 
Mike Sweeney
Communications Manager
Gun Owners' Action League