On May 23rd, the Massachusetts state House of Representatives will be voting on House Bill 4517, which would allow firearms to be seized from individuals following baseless accusations without proper due process. Please contact your state Representative and urge them to OPPOSE H.4517. Click the “Take Action” button below to contact your state Representative.
House Bill 4517, a committee substitute for House Bill 3610, includes even less due process than the bill it replaces. It would allow for a very broadly defined group of “family or household member[s]” to petition for the issuance of protective orders to infringe upon Second Amendment rights of those they believe pose a risk. If the respondent does not attend the initial hearing for whatever reason, the protective order is automatically issued. These protective orders would last for one year, with no provisions for appeal. The respondent has no right to counsel and the burden of proof for an order to be granted is very low. Once the protective order expires, law enforcement is still not to return the seized firearms or any permits unless they find the respondent “suitable” to possess them.
In addition, H.4517 would subject stun guns to the same licensing requirements as handguns in order for citizens to own or carry. Such restrictions will only serve to increase the red tape and cost for law-abiding citizens to acquire these self-defense devices without affecting criminals. With the stun gun ban being struck down recently, it is time to allow law-abiding citizens to own and carry these devices for self-defense without any last-ditch efforts to deny or discourage the exercise of this right.
Again, please contact your state Representative and urge them to OPPOSE H.4517. In addition, you may click here to find your state Representative.
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