SalemCat
Banned
I think we need to add Leah Cole to the list. She was sworn in today.
Hopefully she's pro 2A.
If you enjoy the forum please consider supporting it by signing up for a NES Membership The benefits pay for the membership many times over.
Be sure to enter the NES/MFS May Giveaway ***Canik METE SFX***
I think we need to add Leah Cole to the list. She was sworn in today.
According to "Find a Legislator" on the mass.gov site...Leah Cole and Wayne Mateswky added to the list: http://go4.im/MAlegis
Do you guys know if they replaced anyone (or if anyone should no longer be on the list)?
Is there a reason why John Fernandes (D - 10th Worcester) is not on the spreadsheet? I think we've seen a few responses already that show him "leaning in favor" of tightening restrictions.
Well, DUH! I was looking at the senate tab, sorry!He's there, and listed as "Leaning In Favor" (orange)
Here is what James McGovern emailed to me "September 13, 2013
Thank you for contacting me to express your views on gun safety legislation. This is an issue that continues to gain national attention in light of recent devastating tragedies and will continue to provoke strong sentiments on all sides of the issue.
I believe that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects a citizen's right to own a firearm. However, I also believe very strongly that the founding fathers purposely left the Amendment ambiguous to ensure that elected officials maintained the power to interpret its meaning based on the ever-changing framework of American society. States have the right and responsibility to enact and enforce sensible gun control laws, and I'm proud that Massachusetts is a leader in gun violence prevention.
We must do our best to ensure that current laws are vigorously enforced, and I believe we should also continue working to strengthen laws to prevent gun violence. Additionally, we must work to increase access to and strengthen mental health care. The goal is not to prevent law-abiding citizens from possessing firearms, but to make sure guns do not fall into the wrong hands.
I appreciate hearing your thoughts on gun related laws and legislation. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future regarding these or any other issues."
Here is a recent response from Sn. Ross post hearing on 9/13/2013 (received today):
[FONT="]Dear Mr. xcom,[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT="]
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your opposition to the proposed updates to gun control laws. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and concerns with me.
Massachusetts already has among the strictest gun control laws in the United States. Among these are laws regulating licensing and possession, as well as highly restrictive bans on assault weapons, large capacity weapons and large capacity feeding devices. As it stands, the Commonwealth already bans the types of weapons and feeding devices that have been used in some of our country’s recent tragedies.
It is of the utmost importance to me that while preserving the safety of our communities, we also protect the rights granted to us as law-abiding citizens by our state and federal Constitutions. While I am unable to vote on federal legislation, I assure you that I will keep your rights and concerns in mind as I address all proposed legislation related to gun control in Massachusetts.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Ross
State Senator[/FONT][FONT="][/FONT]
I understand that I am preaching to the choir, but according to Senator Ross from the above post:
"It is of the utmost importance to me that while preserving the safety of our communities, we also protect the rights granted to us as law-abiding citizens by our state and federal Constitutions."
Herein lies the problem with the MA legislators that think this way:
The state and federal constitutions do not GRANTanyone anything. Our RIGHTS are God-given, natural, and inalienable rights! Many of these people (including members of the Congress) representing us simply have no concept of what it means to protect, respect, and not infringe upon our rights. Even though it appears that he is rated A+ by GOAL, he still needs to be educated about our rights.
Here is what James McGovern emailed to me "September 13, 2013
Thank you for contacting me to express your views on gun safety legislation. This is an issue that continues to gain national attention in light of recent devastating tragedies and will continue to provoke strong sentiments on all sides of the issue.
I believe that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects a citizen's right to own a firearm. However, I also believe very strongly that the founding fathers purposely left the Amendment ambiguous to ensure that elected officials maintained the power to interpret its meaning based on the ever-changing framework of American society. States have the right and responsibility to enact and enforce sensible gun control laws, and I'm proud that Massachusetts is a leader in gun violence prevention.
We must do our best to ensure that current laws are vigorously enforced, and I believe we should also continue working to strengthen laws to prevent gun violence. Additionally, we must work to increase access to and strengthen mental health care. The goal is not to prevent law-abiding citizens from possessing firearms, but to make sure guns do not fall into the wrong hands.
I appreciate hearing your thoughts on gun related laws and legislation. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future regarding these or any other issues."