Mitt Romney & ARB; MASS Residents Response Requested

[arcsound]

I've seen the video of Mitt Romney announcing signing of the Mass Assault Rifle Ban, including his rationalization that the bill was supported by both the anti-gun and the *pro-gun* crowd, and that (I am paraphrasing...) gun owners "got as good as the gave" with this bill.

I cannot imagine what procedural or regulatory "win" for gun-owners would have justified this 2-A abridgement, e.g. 20% reduction in hunting license fees for no more ARs, etc., so I am appealling to those with first hand knowledge of this wonderful trade-off to please enlighten us.

Also, how was the ARB ban implemented? Was there a turn-in requirement or were existing weapons "grandfathered"? Was there a registration requirement?

Apologies if these specific questions have been covered elsewhere, but I searched and could not find them covered elsewhere.

 

[arcsound]

Crickets? No one has either any knowledge and/or interest in helping us understand one of the more significant gun-ownership unfriendly actions in recent history, supported and abetted by the person whom may very well be the Republican nominee.

 

[billdeserthills]

He's just another rino, looks like i'll be writing in Ron Paul

 

[M-Cameron]

in exchange for The AWB, us great citizens of the common wealth were granted:

1)Extending the term of a firearm identification card and a license to carry firearms from four years to six years;

2)Granting a 90-day grace period for holders of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry who have applied for renewal; and

3)Creating a seven-member Firearm License Review Board to review firearm license applications that have been denied.

Also, how was the ARB ban implemented? Was there a turn-in requirement or were existing weapons "grandfathered"? Was there a registration requirement?

well there was no "turn-in" and yes, all previously owned 'assault weapons' were granfathered in......

as for implementation, ive honestly never heard of anyone ever being hassled over the number of "evil features" on their guns......and getting preban ar-15s and other 'assault weapons' is not really not all that difficult.

its a pain because not stores sell new high capacity magazines, and the new 'assault weapons' we do get are neutered to be compliant......

its really much more of an annoyance than anything

 

[Ed N.]

I'm not a MA resident, but you might want to read what the NRA-ILA wrote about this legislation back in 2004:
http://nraila.org/legislation/state-legislation/2004/6/massachusetts-firearms-reform-bill-se.aspx

Despite the efforts of some (including The Boston Globe) to spin this bill as an extension of or creation of a new "Assault Weapons" ban, the bill makes no net changes to the Commonwealth`s laws regarding those types of firearms. The three sections referencing them merely dealt with re-affirming the definitions of what an "Assault Weapon" could be.

 

[arcsound]

Thanks for the info on Romney and ARB

Thanks to all that answered.

Based on this, it does not appear that gun owners in MASS got much in the deal, except for the review board, whereby those denied approval for misdemeanor offenses could appeal the decision. This has the potential to being significant, if the board is reasonable with returning gun rights (slamming a bathroom door and getting stuck with a DV misdemeanor is not a good reason to loose your 2-A rights).

Glad to hear that AR-15 owners did not have to register or turn in their weapons. I read the link to the NRA announcement on the Romney signing, and it sounds like there was already an existing prohibition on assault rifles, that the ARB did not sunset in MASS as it did with federal law. If I am reading this correctly, that would let Romney off the hook to some extent, with regard to this particular bill (I can't tell if he had a role in not letting the federal ARB sunset in MASS....but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt).

All told, it does seem that the gun owners of MASS did receive something of value with this bill, and that the bill, alone, did not cause the ARB. I would feel better voting for Romney, based on this knowledge, thank you.
(Still hoping Santorum gets the nod, though)

 

[pittspilot]

Interesting. I always had the sense that Romney was a gun grabber. The NRA's characterization dissipates that. How has Romney voted on other gun stuff?

 

[Jeff H]

Interesting. I always had the sense that Romney was a gun grabber. The NRA's characterization dissipates that. How has Romney voted on other gun stuff?

I too find it interesting reading the article linked above. I would love to read more.

 

[Radagast]

Snowflakes In Hell / Shall not be questioned is a long running gun blog. It has a decent summary on Mitt.
http://www.pagunblog.com/2012/01/15/the-truth-about-mitt-romneys-record-on-guns/

http://www.pagunblog.com/2012/02/23/nra-nightmares/

 

[jerkface11]

Interesting. I always had the sense that Romney was a gun grabber. The NRA's characterization dissipates that. How has Romney voted on other gun stuff?

Imagine that the NRA saying positive things about the generic governor the GOP is trying to ramrod down our throats.

Here is Mitt saying he supported the assault weapon ban. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Ygw9CQ9po

 

[Prince Yamato]

He tried the best he could for his pro gun constituency against the backdrop of anti-gun Massachusetts. Some of you get caught up in the political language he uses and can't see the bigger picture.

 

[Art Eatman]

Question answered.