Posted on 01/05/2005 9:47:41 AM PST by pabianice
They’re at it again in Massachusetts. Several months ago the Town of Grafton proposed a new policy regarding weapons that would have made it unlawful for anyone who even owned a weapon from setting foot on any town property or doing any business with the town. This proposal created a firestorm that packed the board of selectmen’s meeting with irate citizens. The proposal was withdrawn before the meeting ended.
A new policy has now been proposed. This policy will apply only to town employees, but will ban all town employees, when performing any duties of employment (regardless of where the work is done) from possessing any weapons. “Weapons” include: “firearms, BB guns, mace, pepper spray, dirk knife or a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device by which the blade is released from the handle, or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn in a locked position, any ballistic knife, or any knife with a detachable blade capable of being propelled by any mechanism, a slungshot, slingshot, beanblower, sword cane, pistol cane, bludgeon, blackjack, nunchaku, zoobow, “clackers” or “kung fu” sticks, or any similar weapon, a shuriken, or any similar pointed star_like object intended to injure a person when thrown, or a manrikigusari, or similar length of chain having weighted ends, or metallic knuckles or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the same use and with the same similar effect as metallic knuckles, and any electrical weapon.”
All sworn police officers will be permitted to carry weapons "as necessary to perform the functions of their position within the boundaries of the Town." Unaddressed is whether that can carry weapons when off-duty or out of town.
What effect this policy will have on the safety of town employees, and the general public, is unlikely to be salutary.
Will the town pay for amputations for all its citizens? Better ban baseball while they are at it too. Hell they have to give lobotomies to all townspeople. The human mind is the most dangerous weapon of all.
Nothing says "we appreciate your work" more than announcing that you are a perfect crime target.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Grafton continues to live up to it's well deserved reputation as a cesspit.
I loved the list of all the banned weapons. This is indeed a sad day for the ninjas of Massachusetts.
still more dangerous is the mindless human.
I don't know the town..can you elaborate a tad?
Just un-freaking-believeable.
These people have way too much time on their hands. What "problem" is Gov't attempting to solve here? Grafton is an extremely upscale town. Something tells me these limo libs probably have voted themselves nuclear free too. Why don't they just vote themselves Aids free and they can "solve" another problem...NOT!
sass,
Seriously though...it's about time.
I mean, how many more times do I have to get my license renewed and get harrassed by a gubmint employee wielding "manrikigusari, or similar length of chain having weighted ends", before something is done about it?
..we have "other" means, down south. :))
Gentlemen and ladies: Please remove all pens, pencils, squirt guns, spitball straws, tools, belts, shoe strings, bats, darts, sticks, whips, cameras, binoculars, purses, backpacks, tool belts, pipe wrenches, large and small adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, or any thing that can be thrown, swung, used to protect oneself with or stab others with be left out side the city limits to better protect the dear people in our city limits that have no mean to protect themselves for themselves. If they try to hurt themselves.(sarcasm)
"I mean, how many more times do I have to get my license renewed and get harrassed by a gubmint employee wielding "manrikigusari, or similar length of chain having weighted ends", before something is done about it?"
lmao, how many more Mr. Speaker??? How many more?? If you listen to Howie Carr you'll appreciate that line!!
Right here is an argument for NOT registering firearms. Without registration of firearms (or owners), this kind of law is unenforceable. Either way the law is inexcusably stupid, however.
Quick! Calling all criminals and aspiring criminals! The city of Grafton, MA has just guaranteed you a safe work environment in your chosen field of endeavor!
Without regard to the wisdom or constitutionality of the policy, I'm willing to bet that not a single person covered by the ban has ever had to pull a weapon in the course of performing official duties. Criminals generally don't commit crimes at town hall because, as with this particular Town, that's where the police department is located.
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