Some regulation of gun ownership is warranted as long as it is not
restrictive or expensive. Most Western states, excluding California,
have reasonable restrictions. For example, cases of mental illness
and people with felony convictions are good reasons to deny permits.

Many states have, and all states should have, "shall issue" provisions
for the permit process. In other words, if you are a responsible
person, you should be able to get a permit if you apply for one. Many
states offer reciprocity also which makes it legal to carry across
state lines.

However, in Massachusetts, the costs for a permit is high on
purpose--to deny people this right. Few permits are issued, and
reissues of permits to people who had permits in the past without
incident, have been denied without reasonable cause.

Massachusetts also has a mandatory 1 year sentence for people found
transporting guns across the state. This state does everything in
it's power to limit gun ownership and gun sales; it has deliberately
forced many gun dealers out of business and has placed restrictions on
manufacturers with ridiculous safety requirements. This will change
as the lawsuits continue to pile up.

Another nearby state, Rhode Island, has a 10 year sentence for
unlicensed people carrying guns through the state, that makes peaceble
carry through the state a serious issue.

There is a pro gun trend reversing the swing against gun control. I
can give you three examples. Missouri now issues concealed weapons
permits. Kansas, prohibited Concealed Carry until March 27th 2004.
They just passed a law allowing carrying concealed weapons--reversing
previous decisions. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of it. I
expect they will join their neighboring states in allowing
reciprocity. I don't know all the details, but Washington has a new
law that is less restrictive and will likely allow reciprocity.

The courts, and precidents set in the past, make it impossible for the
liberals to permanently take away this consitutionaly right. Most
people want the right to lawfully protect themselves.

Bart Senior


DSK wrote

so many times that it is nearly non existant. And the gun-o-phobes still
aren't happy. At some point in the not too distant future, gun ownership
for the average citizen will be illegal. Then they'll start on dogs....

Regards- Doug King