In recent days, the local Boston media has been giving attention to an extremely misleading message on an infamous Mass turnpike billboard. For years we have seen the message change to exploit whatever political agenda the owner seeks to force on the public. Unfortunately for the citizens of Massachusetts, this billboard has become an embarrassing statement of lies and denials for all of America to see.

Just last year this great eye sore tried to convince the public that they were more likely to “live here” because of Massachusetts gun laws. Unfortunately for the owners of the sign, that statement was extraordinarily less than honest. In fact it was a lie!

In the 2004 FBI Violent Crime Report Statistics, Massachusetts ranked number one in violent crime throughout the New England states!

Now that the truth is out about the violent crime rate in Massachusetts, those responsible for promoting the “Worst in the Nation” gun laws as making the Commonwealth safe are attempting to save face by blaming others.

The most recent message on the “Billboard of Shameless Lies” now attempts to convince the public that the blame for the Commonwealth’s overwhelming crime rate lies with our civil rights friendly states to the north and one to the south (Georgia). For the record, Georgia’s violent crime rate was 455, slightly less than Massachusetts. If this is true, than how does one explain why Massachusetts has the highest crime rate? Further, if this is true, why are criminals coming back to Massachusetts to commit the violent crimes?

In press conferences covering the new blame game, proponents of the sign claimed that Massachusetts “firearm hungry felons” were flocking to these neighboring states to “legally” purchase handguns and bring them back to Massachusetts. This was reportedly happening because these states did not have tough laws like Massachusetts.

First and foremost, it is against state (Chapter 140, Section 131) and federal law (18 U.S. Code 922(a)(3)) for a convicted felon to purchase or possess a firearm of any type unless their rights have been restored by law. It is also against federal law for a person to purchase a firearm in a state they do not reside in without going through a federally licensed dealer (18 U.S. Code 922(d)(1)) and completing a mandatory background check through the NICS system created by Public Law 103-159.

For the record this is the procedure for a Massachusetts resident to legally purchase a handgun from another state:

1. The individual must possess a License to Carry Firearms under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 131. (A felony is an automatic lifetime disqualification for this license.)

2. The handgun that is to be purchased must meet the manufacturing requirements of 940 CMR 16.00 and MGL Chapter 140, Section 123. These regulations and laws restrict the makes and models of handguns that can legally be sold in Massachusetts.

3. The handgun must also meet the requirements of MGL Chapter 140, Section 131M which bans the possession, sale or transfer of high capacity magazines.

4. If the handgun is owned by a private citizen or a federally licensed dealer (18 U.S. Code 923) in another state, the handgun must be transferred to a licensed dealer in the state of Massachusetts.
5. The Massachusetts dealer must be licensed under federal law (18 U.S. Code 923) and state law (Chapter 140, Section 122). Once in possession of the handgun, the information must be recorded in the in-state dealers Bound Book (Bound Book - 27 CFR 178.125).
6. The proposed Massachusetts buyer must then appear in person to the Massachusetts Dealer and present their valid License to Carry a firearm and identification.
7. The buyer must complete a federal form ATF 4473 answering about 17 different questions regarding their status as a qualified individual.
8. The dealer must also fill out a state form FA-10 which contains the information of the seller/dealer, the buyer and a description of the firearm. The form must then be signed by the purchaser.

9. If more than one handgun is being purchased within a five day period the dealer is required to fill out BATFE Form 3310 and submit a copy to the BATFE and the state agency in charge of licensing before the close of business.
10. The dealer must then conduct a background check on the proposed buyer through the National Instant Checks System.
11. If the dealer is equipped through the new Massachusetts Instant Records Checks System (MIRCS), the buyer must submit to a digital scan and recognition of their fingerprints.
12. If all the checks have passed, the dealer must instruct the buyer on the safe use and operation of the firearm and provide a tamper resistant mechanical locking device that has been approved by the Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police.
13. If all of the above steps are met, the transaction may take place.

It is clear to any honest person that the process for legally purchasing a handgun out of state is a lengthy process filled with roadblocks and stop gaps. To suggest otherwise is simply a lie!

 The Massachusetts crime rate is the result of poor leadership and a decade long campaign of distraction from real crime solutions. The gun laws passed in Massachusetts in 1998 have resulted in a higher crime rate, a separation between lawful gun owners and political leaders and a distraction from real solutions that have allowed the criminal element in our state to get years ahead of us.

Blaming other states for the crime here in the Commonwealth is an act that shames every citizen of our state. Those that are spouting this nonsense need to be held accountable for their lies and their lack of leadership. Before we can ever hope to STOP the Crime we must first STOP the Lies.