GOAL’s Ghost Gun Exorcism Legislation

The Second Amendment community all over thecountry is well aware of another coordinated attack on our civil rights. Like the inventive “assault weapons” terminology of the 1980’s, this one too comes with a catchy name: “Ghost Guns.”

So-called “Ghost Gun” bills are being filed all over the country. The stated purpose is supposedly to prevent criminals from building/manufacturing their own guns. Since when did laws prevent criminals from doing anything? These pieces of legislation are just a repeat of archaic failed efforts to curtail the civil rights of lawful citizens in an attempt to address criminal activity. This is flawed thinking at best as these types of laws have never worked to reduce crime. In the end, all they do is tie the hands of good people.

As we have done many times successfully in the past, Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL) is offering a common-sense solution to a perceived problem. Our legislation, filed by both Rep. Michael Soter (R) and Rep. Chynah Tyler (D), offers a solution that rightfully punishes criminal activity while leaving our rights intact.

The anti-civil rights crowd seems to support more of a Tom Cruise/Minority Report policy where lawful citizens are punished for crimes they did not commit. GOAL’s legislation takes a realistic approach and severely punishes only the criminals/prohibited persons who illegally manufacture and traffic guns for illicit activities. 

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/HD3363 - Rep. Michael Soter (R)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/HD3743 - Rep. Chyna Tyler (D)

An Act Relative to Criminal Manufacture and Possession of Certain Weapons

SECTION 1.

Chapter 269 of the General Laws shall be amended by inserting a new section:

10L: Criminal Manufacture and Transfer of Weapons

Any prohibited person who illegally manufactures a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or sawed-off shotgun shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years.

Any person who illegally manufactures a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or sawed-off shotgun and transfers or supplies said weapon to a prohibited person within or without of the Commonwealth shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years.

Whoever transports an illegally manufactured firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or sawed-off shotgun into the commonwealth to use the weapon for the commission of criminal activity shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 10 years.

Whoever, while in the commission of a felony, has in his possession or under his control an illegally manufactured firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or sawed-off shotgun shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than not more than 10 years.

Whoever transports an illegally manufactured firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or sawed-off shotgun into the commonwealth to unlawfully distribute, sell or transfer possession of the weapon to a prohibited person, as defined in section 131 of chapter 140, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 20 years.

Whoever transports an illegally manufactured firearm, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or sawed-off shotgun into the commonwealth to unlawfully distribute, sell or transfer the weapon to a prohibited person, as defined in section 131 of chapter 140, and if the weapon is subsequently used to commit severe bodily injury or murder, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for up to life imprisonment.

Upon conviction of this section, the courts shall notify the appropriate federal authorities of potential violations of federal manufacturing and transfer laws.