OWNERS WELCOME SENSIBLE CONTROLS

(By Mike Beatrice)

The one assumption that must not be made by proponents of any new gun legislation is that sportsmen, target shooters, hunters or collectors, are unequivocally opposed to any and all forms of regulation.

The contrary is true of the vast majority of gun owners and the largest and most responsible organizations that represent gun interests.

For example, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which is supported by the firearms industry, was able to adopt a joint policy on firearms control with the National Police Officers Association, whose members most frequently confront the armed criminal.

The position of these two organizations is in accord.

Firearms owners simply differentiate between effective legislative-that which will accomplish its purpose and ineffective legislation-that which frequently cannot be enforced but at the same time places, undue penalties upon the legitimate gun owner.

Probably no group studies more closely the complexities of gun ownership than does the gun-owning fraternity.

Organizations such as the National Rifle Association, realizing that it always faces the threat of panic regulations, is constantly studying this question.

It does not believe that gun laws, no matter how established, prevent crime. And it offers substantial evidence for its position.

The firearms owners ask three questions of proposed legislation:

1. Does the bill do what it is intended to do? In other words, does it right the wrong, stop the crime, remove the evil from society?

2. Does it impose an unreasonable burden upon the honest members of society out of all reasonable proportion to the results to be gained from its application to the criminal?

3. Can it be enforced?

Massachusetts sportsmen have supported Bay State legislative proposals that warranted a "yes" answer to all three questions.

What do sportsmen look for in gun laws? William L. Wallace, vice president and general manager of Winchester Arms, recently stated: "When regulation is required to correct abuses, legislation should not exceed these criteria:

"Prohibition of the possession of firearms by felons, fugitives, mental incompetents, drug addicts, and habitual drunkards; severe additional penalties for the use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime; Making the sale of firearms to juveniles subject to parental consent and the public use of firearms by juveniles subject to adequate supervision; regulations on the carrying of concealed handguns should be reasonable, with requirements set by law."

Wallace goes on to point out that there is no positive evidence that licensing in fact reduces the misuse of guns.

There are 18 million active hunters and target shooters in the United States The percentage of misuse is minute.

(Exhibit No. 87, referred to on p. 350, is as follows:)

EXHIBIT No. 87. SUMMARY OF CASES INVOLVING FIREARMS FROM MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE

Malden, Mass., January 1965

Murdered cabdriver, Samuel Washington, found in his Checker taxi, on a side street in Malden. Victim had multiple gunshot wounds in the rear of his head.

A suspect, since convicted of this murder, was located in Farmington, Maine. The murder weapon was located and found to be a .22-caliber Spanish Astra, which the defendant had purchased in a Farmington store on the Thursday before the shooting. Another sale without restrictions.

(Refer MSP case 2763-65.)

Lynn, Mass., May 7, 1965

Murder of a Lynn resident by his own brother following a family argument. Defendant, at time of assault, was on probation for a previous assault by means of a dangerous weapon on another party.

Murder weapon found to have been purchased by defendant, while on probation, from a Manchester, N.H., gun dealer.

Under no circumstances could this man have lawfully purchased the deadly weapon in Massachusetts, due to existing laws. Yet, he experienced no difficulty in buying the gun just across the Stateline.

(Refer MSP case 2860-65.)

Cambridge, Mass., June 1965

A local resident applied for a license to carry a handgun and a permit to purchase. His application was rejected because of possible marital problems with subsequent risk. Applicant proceeded to Kittery, Maine, and purchased a revolver, which he exchanged at a later date for an automatic pistol.

He later reported to local police that he was in fear of his life because of erratic and unusual behavior of his wife. He surrendered the pistol for fear that she would use the gun on him.

Local authorities were disgusted with the ease with which he could circumvent the intent of our Massachusetts statutes.

(Refer MSP case 2839-65.)

Cambridge, Mass., June 1965

Male defendant for bank robberies of six counts. Subject in possession of a .32 caliber Colt Cobra revolver which he admitted he had purchased under an assumed name at Haggeett's Sport Shop, Main Street, Concord, N.H.

Defendant furnished an address at time of purchase of 900 Boylston Street, Boston; which happens to be the "new auditorium" of the "Prudential Center." Buyer used fictitious name and address at time of purchase.

Previous criminal record.

(Refer MSP case 2892-65.)

Cambridge, Mass., June 7, 1965

Local cabdriver reported to police that woman passenger had displayed a small revolver and indicated she intended to commit suicide. He took weapon from her, but she fled into sidewalk crowd.

Weapon traced from plant to Western Auto Store in Portsmouth, N.H. Revolver had been sold on the morning of the 7th of June to a woman from Cambridge, Mass. According to the official report, the woman was under the influence of alcoholic beverages at the time of the purchase.

Identity of female determined and subsequent court action taken under Massachusetts law. Court ordered defendant committed for mental examination. Buyer was not a proper person to buy a firearm anywhere according to the local authority and court.

(Refer: Case 2911-1, MSP.)

Weymouth, Mass., January 1965

Gangland-style slaying of Henry Redington in his home in this south shore community.

A .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver found in the possession of the paroled victim had been purchased in a Miami, Fla. sporting goods store some months before.

The buyer was a convicted felon and was not eligible to purchase or carry handguns in Massachusetts. Lack of adequate restriction in Florida permitted sale to convicted felon.

(Refer MSP case 2747-65.)

Boston, Mass., October 1964

Murder suspect arrested by FBI in Boston. Was considered to be one of the 10 most wanted men in the United States. At time of arrest he was in possession of two snubnosed revolvers, which had been purchased together with seven other handguns from New Hampshire dealers.

(Refer MSP case 2663.)

Melrose, Mass., November 1964

The murder of a local housewife by her enraged husband following a family argument. Assailant subsequently died from a self-inflicted bullet wound from the murder weapon.

Investigation revealed that assailant had purchased the weapon in Kittery, Maine, while serving with a military unit.

(Refer MSP case 2691-64.)

Arlington, Mass., November 1964

A Holland-born scientist is held to be responsible for the rifle murder of his 28-year-old wife and their 3-year-old son. He subsequently died as a result of a self-inflicted bullet wound.

The .303-caliber Golden State Arms rifle used in all three killings was found to be a mail-order weapon, with the local police completely unaware of the delivery or possession of the gun.

(Refer MSP case 2682.)

Boston, Mass., March 1964

The brutal murder of William J. Sheridan, of Boston, in which two weapons were used. Investigation revealed that both revolvers were purchased by the defendants in Maine; one from a gun dealer in Topsham and the other from a dealer in Brunswick, Maine.

(Refer Boston BU 10685.)

Boston, Mass., May 1964

The murders of James Benson and Paul Giannangelo by means of a subcaliber pistol. Investigation revealed that murder weapon had been purchased in a gunshop in Nashua, N.H.

(Refer Boston BU 10755.)

Malden, Mass., September 1963

Murder of a police officer and the near-fatal shooting of a second officer during an attempted holdup-three defendants, including one who is now awaiting execution after a conviction-The convicted slayer stated he had purchased the two weapons used in the holdup-murder in Lewiston, Maine several months before the slaying.

While being sought for the aforementioned murder by local, State, and Federal agencies, he fled north toward the Canadian border. Apprehended just before crossing over into Canada, he was found in possession of still another pistol, which he had just purchased in Houlton, Maine. The defendant stated that he had furnished fictitious names and addresses every time he purchased the firearms.

(Refer MSP case 2344-63.)

Westboro, Mass., June 1963

A Colorado State prison parolee is arrested with a female companion for a minor criminal act. While they were being transported from the court to a place of detention, the female produced a small .25-caliber Czechoslovakian pistol from her undergarments and forced the officers at gunpoint from the police cruiser.

Massive manhunt brought about their apprehension within short period of time, but not before they had committed an armed robbery on a housewife for the purpose of stealing her automobile.

Investigation revealed that this parolee had purchased the pistol in a general store in Hampton Falls, N.H., just a few days before, and that he intended to use it for armed robberies.

(Refer MSP case 403–280.)

Burlington, Mass., October 25, 1963

Badly beaten body of a woman found on the side of a major highway. Investigation led to arrest of a prime suspect with indictment following. Subject released on bail. Had a previous felony record.

While on bail and with this previous conviction, he was still able to drive to Manchester, N.H., and purchase a 32-caliber Colt pistol under a fictitious name and address.

Grave concern existed for the witnesses to the murder.

(Refer MSP case 390-463.)

Cambridge, Mass., September 1963

A local 16-year-old resident became a suspect in a series of housebreaks. In searching his home, authorities found a total of 17 firearms of various descriptions, all belonging to him.

Defendant stated that he had purchased all of the weapons, including three handguns, from a gun dealer in Bridgeston, Maine. He stated that he used a fictitious name and address from Lewiston, Maine, and advised the dealer that he was 23 years of age.