H.1311 GOAL Files "An Act regarding breaking and entering of a firearm retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer".

In our continuing effort to punish those who commit crimes with firearms in our Commonwealth, Representative Canavan has filed on GOAL’s behalf “An Act Regarding Breaking and Entering of a Firearm Retailer, Wholesaler or Manufacturer”. Very simply, this proposal would severely punish criminals who break and enter into a firearm retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer.

“There is only one reason why someone would break and enter into one of these businesses,” said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of GOAL. “It is our hope that the severity of punishments included in this proposal will send a clear message to the criminal element. That message is simple, these businesses represent an important part of our ability as citizens to exercise our Second Amendment civil rights and we will not tolerate any criminal attempt to unlawfully obtain firearms. Such criminal acts not only endanger the public safety, but inevitably endanger our ability to exercise our civil rights as well.”

This bill is a clear representation of GOAL’s effort to clearly separate the lawful possession issues and the criminal enforcement needs. Because this bill was drafted after the creation of the Civil Rights and Public Safety Act (CRPS Act) found at www.MassGunLawReform.com, GOAL will be asking the legislature to add the Breaking and Entering bill to the CRPS Act.

We urge all of our members to contact the legislators and ask them to sign on to “An Act Regarding Breaking and Entering of a Firearm Retailer, Wholesaler or Manufacturer” as a cosponsor. Click here to find out who your local representative is www.wheredoivotema.com

An Act Regarding Breaking and Entering of a Firearm Retailer, Wholesaler or Manufacturer

Chapter 269 of the Massachusetts General Laws shall be amended by inserting the following section:

Section 10F. Breaking and Entering of a Firearm Retailer, Wholesaler or Manufacturer

(A)              Whoever in the nighttime or the daytime breaks and enters any building in which a firearm retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer conducts business shall be subject to a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than ten years or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(B)              Whoever in the nighttime or the daytime breaks and enters any building in which a firearm retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer conducts business with the intent to unlawfully obtain a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machinegun or ammunition shall be subject to a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than ten years or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(C)              Whoever unlawfully obtains a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machinegun or ammunition by means of breaking and entering, in the nighttime or the daytime, any building in which a firearm retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer conducts business and who unlawfully distributes said firearm, rifle, shotgun, machinegun or ammunition shall be subject to a fine of not less than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not less than ten years nor more than twenty years or by both such fine and imprisonment.

We need to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals by reforming our gun laws to make them clear, comprehensive and effective. They should be tough on criminals and easy to enforce.

Our gun laws should do more to respect the individual right of every citizen of the United States to keep and bear arms.

We Believe We Can Do Both 

GOAL would urge all of our members to send a quick note of thanks to all of the co-sponsors of this bill.    

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