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June 9, 2010

Massachusetts Legislature Considering One-Gun-A-Month


A proposal to limit the number of guns a person can buy in Massachusetts is being considered today by the legislature's Judiciary Committee.

Limiting the sale of firearms to law-abiding citizens is premised on the false belief that doing so reduces illegal firearms trafficking. There is no evidence to support such an assertion. 

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the significant drop in crime that began in the mid-1990's coincided with more guns being in private possession and more restrictive gun laws being taken off the books.

In South Carolina, one-gun-a-month was repealed (allowing for more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens) and, like the rest of the U.S., South Carolinians continue to experience a decrease in violent crime. This decrease was particularly noticeable last year when sales of firearms to law-abiding citizens reached unprecedented levels.

As members of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee consider this ill-advised proposal, they would be wise to remember that the Second Amendment is a constitutional right, not a privilege.  Rationing this freedom should be unacceptable to all Americans.

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