Baker: Gun shops not 'essential,' need to close

By adamg on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 4:28pm

Gov. Baker said today that while he is unaware of any open gun shops, if there are any, their owners need to close immediately, because they're not "essential." Baker said that gun manufacturers, such as Smith & Wesson, are on the list of "essential" businesses, so they can continue to churn out guns, even if there are no longer places in Massachusetts to legally buy them.

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Comments

just because shops are closed

By anon on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 5:14pm.

just because shops are closed doesn’t mean there aren’t multiple agencies looking to replace their tired sidearms.

So how are people supposed to

By anon on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 5:19pm.

So how are people supposed to comply with federal and state law with filing paperwork which requires processing at a dealer?

It's bad enough the state is refusing to process license renewals and and applications putting residents in legal jeopardy. Suddenly you're a felon in waiting because the state decided to not bother allowing you to renew your license before it expires.

Caetano V. Massachusetts
(The AG deciding a good use of resources was trying to grind a homeless domestic abuse victim under her heel all the way to the supreme court)
"if the fundamental right of self-defense does not protect Caetano, then the safety of all Americans is left to the mercy of state authorities who may be more concerned about disarming people than about keeping them safe"

100%

By manbearwolf on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 7:29pm.

thx anon, i have my renewal coming up this year in Boston and have thought about the exact same issue. but for the renewal it probably depends on if Boston police HQ still has the desk open and if MSP at Moon Island still have the test range open. if not, we're all screwed.

Boston

By Matt on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 9:10pm.

Requires an appointment to “receive” the application. The renewal interview is done simultaneously and no live fire is required. If the background check passes then you’re good.

I’d recommend going into the station and beg them to just take the application. With the new MGL that receipt counts as your license until the renewal is either approved or rejected.

Documentation

By Tim Mc. on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 7:36pm.

Keep good documentation of when your whatever was going to expire, and notes on why you could not renew, such as a list of places you checked to see if they were still open before that expiration happened.

Just because you're technically in violation doesn't necessarily mean anyone will care, in a situation like this. But make sure you document that you weren't just being disorganized or negligent.

Be smart too.

By Pete Nice on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 8:08pm.

Don’t be a hero and test out your open carry privileges (which is silly anyway) 99% of people use firearms for home defense and if that’s the case there should be zero chance any officer should find your firearms. And if you need it for a life or death situation in your own house, you gotta do what you gotta do.

be patient like everyone else?

By anon on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 12:09am.

In case you hadn't noticed there are a whole lot of things that have ground to a halt.

Caetano V. Massachusetts was about stun guns, by the way. Not pew pew guns. Don't hoist a domestic violence victim up on your looney gun flag waving banner

The state doesn’t process renewals.

By anon on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 10:41am.

Local licensing authorities do that.

I hope I dont need a gun shop any time soon.

By StillFromDorchester on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 5:51pm.

Civil unrest is in the back of my mind though.
We need to keep it together as a society.

People tend to pull together

By Tim Mc. on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 7:37pm.

in times like this. It's not like the movies.

You'll have a few assholes, but not roving mobs.

Nobody needs a gun shop

By Ron Newman on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 8:42pm.

unless you are a hunter, and you eat what you kill.

Not a hunter

By StillFromDorchester on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 9:43pm.

But still have the right to buy a firearm for other reasons.

Not really

By BlackKat on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 1:04am.

Everyone knows that only well regulated militias are guaranteed that right. And the national guard has its own procurement system so nobody needs to buy anything.

Try to read what is written

By Nowy Liberté on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 9:22am.

2nd Amendment to the US Constitution

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791. The first 10 amendments form the Bill of Rights

The exact meaning of the text has been argued for a few hundred years -- but the text itself is not in dispute:

in particular the Supreme Court has stated several times [including 2 decisions quite recently] that:
"the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" -- is as it is written.

Leaving politics out of the discussion -- the sentence construction is much like:
Floods in your house being undesirable, the right of a person to fill and place sandbags shall not be infringed.

So I guess if someone is breaking into your house to steal your stash of N-95's -- and you couldn't buy anymore black powder for your "Bess" -- Well just call and leave a message with Governor Baker

I'm not a gun guy at all

By Pete Nice on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 10:07am.

But I'm pretty damn sure that the National Guard was not who the 2nd Amendment was written for.

2nd Amendment

By Historian on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 3:11pm.

No, it was written for the precursor of the National Guard -- and specifically, for musketeers. You own a musket?

musketeers or muskets are not mentioned either.

By Pete Nice on Fri, 04/03/2020 - 8:07am.

Again, not a gun guy or an anarchist or anything like that, but the spirit of the 2nd Amendment should be pretty clear.

The national guard is not a

By anon on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 2:05pm.

The national guard is not a militia. It is a standing army.

The Commonwealth also decided to shut down all training including remote law enforcement today for no decipherable reason .

Good Morning,

I hope this email finds you and your family safe and healthy.

As you are aware on March 22, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker ordered that all businesses and organizations not providing “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of noon on March 24th until noon on April 7th. As of March 31st, this has been extended til May 4th.

It has come to our attention that BFS and LEOSA Instructors have been continuing their firearms training classes whether in person or through virtual training during this pandemic.

As of this writing, you are not approved to instruct any firearms training with respect to 515 CMR 3.00 & 6.00 whether in person or through virtual training.

Any changes and/or updates regarding training we will notify you via email.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Kristin M. Ryan
Firearms Licensing
Massachusetts State Police
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
508-820-2299
[email protected]

Only of your definition of "everyone" excludes the Supreme Court

By J R on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 2:26pm.

The District of Columbia v. Heller decision in 2008 held that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms, unconnected with service in a militia, for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.

Oh, Heller

By adamg on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 11:56pm.

If you read the decision, you will see that even the Supreme Court did not say the "right to bear arms" is absolute. That's why we still have gun regulations in Massachusetts.

1/2 cheer for Gov. Baker

By Ron Newman on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 7:09pm.

Thanks for keeping the gun shops closed, but why on earth is gun manufacturing 'essential' in any way?

The 2nd Amendment leaves it

By Refugee on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 7:35pm.

The 2nd Amendment leaves it up the individual to decide whether it's essential or not.

And the first amendment

By Vicki on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 10:24pm.

And the first amendment leaves it up to individual citizens to decide when and whether to assemble, and how to practice their religions. If it's reasonable to forbid minyans and limit weddings and funerals to only a few people, I don't see how gun shops are more necessary, or more constitutionally protected.

"I NEED MUH AMMO!!"

"HOW WE GUNNA GET MORE GUNS???"

"DONT STEP ON MUH SNAKE!!!"

And if the 2nd Amendment is in fact handed down to us by the lily white hand of god himself, then why do you guys ALWAYS leave out the "well regulated militia" part?