In Massachusetts, Change Bodes Well For Fight Against Illegal Guns

Jan 4, 2007

Boston, MA - Deval Patrick was sworn in as the new Governor of Massachusetts today, after winning election in a campaign that stressed the need to fight the flow of guns to criminals. 

“We want to congratulate Governor Patrick and his family, and also congratulate the people of Massachusetts for having made such a great choice on Election Day,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.  “We are very excited about the efforts we expect Governor Patrick’s new administration to make in the fight against illegal guns, and we pledge our commitment to help in that fight.”

The Brady Campaign in March of last year announced an extended, long term focus on efforts to curb the flow of guns from the legal market to the illegal market. Along with the Massachusetts Against Trafficking Handguns (MATH) Coalition, the organization has worked with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to build support for legislative and policy changes that would make it tougher for criminals to arm themselves.

The MATH Coalition, with support from the Brady Campaign, will work with Massachusetts lawmakers to pass legislation to help in the fight against illegal gun trafficking by stopping large volume sales of handguns by limiting purchases to one per month.  It is possible in Massachusetts for “straw purchasers” and traffickers to buy unlimited numbers of guns to sell to the illegal market. 

“Limiting the number of handguns someone can buy at one time stops gun traffickers in their tracks," said Nancy Robinson of the MATH Coalition and President of the Boston Million Mom March Chapter.  “A person who buys 30 handguns at a time is not buying them for hunting, but for resale to criminals on the streets.” 

Governor Patrick voiced support for this legislative proposal during his campaign.

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The Brady Campaign is the nation's largest citizens' lobby to prevent gun violence. We represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans who are tired of living with the constant tragedy of gun violence and are in favor of strong laws and policies that will save lives. We are the light that exposes politicians who are putting the American people at risk, empowering the American people to hold them accountable for decisions and actions that undermine public safety.

We are driven by the focused vision of a nation where all Americans are safe at home, at work, at school, and in our communities.

Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.

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