August 8, 2023
Rep. Michael Day
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 136
Boston, MA, 02133
Response to HD.4420 An Act Modernizing Gun Laws
This is a response and opposition to HD.4420 “An Act Modernizing Gun Laws.”
Although you are not my local representative, I will presume that your intentions were good.
I feel compelled as a Massachusetts resident, taxpayer and citizen to address what you are promoting as failing to address the real problem.
At present I will presume that you are unaware of some of the nationwide statistics concerning homicides. Statistics show Chicago (697) New York (438), Houston (435), Los Angeles (382), Baltimore (335), Detroit (309), Memphis (288), New Orleans (280), and San Antonio (231). (WIREPOINTS By: Matt Rosenberg, Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner (February 2023 copy attached)
I will also presume you are unaware, that both Chicago and New York have some of the toughest gun laws in the nation supporting the fact/conclusion that strict gun laws do not address the problem of gun violence.
Accordingly:
1. The proposed law encroaches on Massachusetts residents Second Amendment rights. The law in its totality flies in the face of the Second Amendment protections and related case law.
2. Although your proposed bill appears to be both racially and gender neutral on its face, its proposed operation is in fact an attempt to burden/penalize both women and minorities; who statistically are among the largest and fastest-growing groups of new gun owners.
3. I am enclosing an article published by the American College of Physicians which indicates statistically, approximately half of all new gun owners are female, with a significant number being Black and Hispanic.. Should you have statistics contrary to what I have enclosed, I would welcome the opportunity to review that data.
4. The bill as proposed doesn’t help targeted business owners protect themselves; IE. Targets of opportunity. With Suffolk County community as well as other inner-city communities being comprised of larger minority groups; this bill as written will put them more at risk than ever. Current police response time after initial call is 6-7 minutes (based on a 2019 study attached).
5. The proposed law will provide limited if any way for the Asian community, who account for the vast number of minority-owned businesses in the Dorchester neighborhoods of Boston, to protect themselves. Not to mention the growing number of recreational and competitive shooters; report by Alison Kuznitz, State House News Service June 22, 2023 (copy attached); see report by Alison Kuznitz, State House News Service June 22, 2023 (copy attached).
6. The proposed law does not protect those who travel from the bedroom communities (such as Stoneham), into some of the inner city neighborhoods of Massachusetts to provide services for the repair of air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and elevators. Many times service is provided during evening hours, at night and on weekends by small independent contractors/sole proprietors.
7. The proposed bill will do nothing to protect inner-city communities from gang related crime while creating create a bureaucratic nightmare of procedures, paperwork and processes potentially criminalizing law-abiding citizens.
8. Outside of the afore mentioned bureaucratic nightmare for otherwise law abiding citizens who are voters. What is the expected cost in dollars and cents? I suggest there are better alternatives
9, I would be interested in seeing what evidence, documents and statistics you have to support how drug dealers, career criminals, and the mentally ill will comply with the intricate paperwork and registration requirements of your proposed bill.
10. If you are truly interested in preventing “accidental” shootings I suggest you propose a bill making safe gun handling courses free and available in every community and open to all.
As a former criminal defense attorney providing such services under the Boston Bar Advocate Program, at both the Boston Municipal Court and Chelsea District Court, I can speak firsthand to the fact that the majority of gun-related criminal activity is not committed by lawfully-licensed gun owners.
Based upon past experience, the majority of criminal activity is not undertaken by first offenders, but is largely committed by those with drug and alcohol issues. I also suggest that criminal activity in some Suffolk County communities is indicative of the levels in other communities in Essex, Plymouth and Hampden counties.
Recent data indicates that machete and knife attacks are on the rise. Will you be sponsoring a law that machetes and knives need to be restricted? Will such items need to be registered and only be available for purchase by those who are properly licensed and over the age of 21?
I would respectfully ask you to consider directing your efforts to supporting stricter enforcement of current laws. You should seek to regulate and penalize those with criminal histories, as well as repeat offenders; and those who are committing violent crimes against law-abiding citizens with any dangerous weapon.
It is understood that guns can be scary for those that are not comfortable with them; Education is needed. Better understanding is needed. These proposed laws villainize those who are law abiding citizens. Enforcing current gun laws and holding violent and career criminals accountable is what is needed. All too many times we hear of a violent felon getting gun charges reduced or dropped because of a plea bargain. Mandatory means mandatory .. not negotiable.
Let’s hold true to our current laws hold prosecutors, assistant district attorneys and judges accountable.
Sincerely
Gordon E Feener, Esq,
cc:
Rep.Kate Lipper-Garabedian
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 167
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. David Paul Linsky
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 167
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Christopher Hendricks
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 237
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Jennifer Balinsky Armini
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 21
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Mindy Domb
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 174,
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Tram T. Nguyen
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 127
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 21
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Rodney M. Elliott
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 26,
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Patricia A. Duffy
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 472
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. David M. Rogers
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 473
Boston, MA, 02133
Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 156
Boston, MA, 02133