July 1, 2004

ROMNEY SIGNS OFF ON PERMANENT ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

Legislation also makes improvements to gun licensing system

In a move that will help keep the streets and neighborhoods of Massachusetts safe, Governor Mitt Romney today signed into law a permanent assault weapons ban that forever makes it harder for criminals to get their hands on these dangerous guns.

“Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts,” Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen’s groups and gun safety advocates. “These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.”

Like the federal assault weapons ban, the state ban, put in place in 1998, was scheduled to expire in September. The new law ensures these deadly weapons, including AK-47s, UZIs and Mac-10 rifles, are permanently prohibited in Massachusetts no matter what happens on the federal level.

“We are pleased to mark an important victory in the fight against crime,” said Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey. “The most important job of state government is ensuring public safety. Governor Romney and I are determined to do whatever it takes to stop the flood of dangerous weapons into our cities and towns and to make Massachusetts safer for law-abiding citizens.”

The new law also makes a number of improvements to the current gun licensing system, including:

• Extending the term of a firearm identification card and a license to carry firearms from four years to six years;
• Granting a 90-day grace period for holders of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry who have applied for renewal; and
• Creating a seven-member Firearm License Review Board to review firearm license applications that have been denied.

“This is truly a great day for Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women,” said Senator Stephen M. Brewer. “These reforms correct some serious mistakes that were made during the gun debate in 1998, when many of our state’s gun owners were stripped of their long-standing rights to own firearms. I applaud Senate President Travaglini for allowing the Senate to undertake this necessary legislation.”

“I want to congratulate everyone that has worked so hard on this issue,” said Representative George Peterson. “Because of their dedication, we are here today to sign into law this consensus piece of legislation. This change will go a long way toward fixing the flaws created by the 1998 law. Another key piece to this legislation addresses those citizens who have applied for renewals. If the government does not process their renewal in a timely fashion, those citizens won't be put at risk because of the 90 day grace period that is being adopted today.”

“Never before has there been such bi-partisan cooperation in the passage of gun safety legislation of this magnitude in this nation,” said John Rosenthal, co-founder and chair of Stop Handgun Violence. “I applaud the leadership of the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker and entire Legislature for passage of this assault weapons ban renewal. They have shown that Massachusetts can continue to lead the nation in protecting the public and law enforcement from military style assault weapons." 

For more information, including facts and myths about the assault weapons ban, see:  http://www.aboutmittromney.com/gun_rights.htm#myths.

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy

When Mitt Romney ran for governor, he proposed no new gun control. The democrats blasted him for that:

“Karen Grant, spokeswoman for former state Sen. Warren E. Tolman said, "How could a serious candidate for governor issue a criminal justice proposal without any mention of gun control given the increasing gun violence?" ”

The Boston Herald - Dems come out swinging at Romney's anti-crime plan - Aug 21, 2002

However, in running for office in the least gun friendly state in the nation, he did soft pedal his pro-second amendment views. According to his 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Romney was "a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms." (July 1st, 2002).  This was a clever strategic move, since that law overrode Massachusetts more stringent assault weapons ban, and as governor he would have no authority over keeping or removing a federal law.  By taking that position, he could sound tough on guns while maintaining a pro-gun rights philosophy in a relatively anti-gun state.

But how Governor Romney viewed gun control could only truly be determined by what actions he would take as governor.  When the federal assault weapons ban expired, he refused to call for its renewal (anti-gunners-experience).  Instead, he worked with legislators and gun-rights advocates to modify the existing assault weapons ban and gun control laws so that they were not as severe (assault weapons ban info).

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy Quotes

• "Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I'm proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms." - Governor Mitt Romney, 01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show
• “Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts. These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.” Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen’s groups and gun safety advocates. 07-01-2004 Press Release
• “By making this common-sense change to the law we will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in our state and allow enthusiasts to practice the sport they love.” - Governor Mitt Romney Press Release
• "Mitt Romney supports the strict enforcement of gun laws. He is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms." - www.romneyhealey.com/issues/, no longer active, see Web Archive

Governor Mitt Romney and Firearms Policy Press Releases

2004

07-01-2004, Romney signs bill into law that lessens gun control measures. 

• This was not an extension of the assault weapons ban.  That ban was permanent.  This law lessened gun control measures in that ban and eased or removed other gun control measures. (Asked about the bill Friday, Romney described it as a "consensus measure" and a "positive step.")

2006

07-26- 2006, Governor Romney Approves Exemption for Target Pistols

2006

01-12-2007, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney Visits Firearms Industry's Trade Show

For the most comprehensive collection on the web about Mitt Romney and gun control:

http://www.aboutmittromney.com/gun_rights.htm