Posted on 07/21/2008 10:58:06 AM PDT by neverdem
Gov. Deval Patrick filed a special appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008 that would drastically increase the fees for certain firearm licenses. The cost of the License to Carry Firearms would double under the proposal, jumping from $100 (for six years) to $200 (for six years). The non-resident License to Carry Firearms fee would jump from $100 for one year to $250 for one year.
Licensed firearm dealers will also feel the bite as their license fees would be increased from $100 for three years to $250. The governor then adds a $100 inspection fee in the second and third years of the license, which would turn the current $100 three-year dealer's license into a $450 three-year license.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment indeed guarantees American citizens the right to keep and bear arms, and experts predicted that the gun grabbers would try to use other tactics to keep guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens — and they were right. Not even a month has passed and the governor is already trying to tax a constitutional right out of reach.
"In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling, this new proposal from the Governor can only be viewed as an attempt to tax people out of their civil rights," said Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners' Action League. "With this new proposal, the Governor continues to demonstrate his willingness to attack lawful gun owners while doing nothing to reduce violent crime. The highest court in the nation has ruled that citizens have an individual right to possess a firearm and now our Governor is trying to tax us out of that right!"
Other New England states charge the following for a license to carry firearms: New Hampshire: $10 (good for four years); Rhode Island: $40 (good for four years); Connecticut: $35 (five years); and Maine: $35 (four years). So, while other New England residents pay an average of $7 a year for a firearms license, the governor in Mass. wants to gouge us out of $33 per year, almost five times what the residents in neighboring states pay — for a constitutional right. And then a three-year dealer license is jumping $350.
"Gov. Patrick feels he can now try to supplement the budget deficit on the backs of small mom-and-pop businesses and law-abiding gun owners," said Jake McGuigan, the director of government relations for the National Shooting Sports Foundation Director. "Clearly, the goal of this administration is to further restrict the rights of its citizens and businesses through a hefty Second Amendment tax."
All citizens are urged to contact their representatives and senators and ask them to make sure this ridiculous tax on our rights does not pass into law. What's next? A $200 fee to peaceably assemble, choose a religion, speak your mind or publish your thoughts and ideas?
State honors outdoorsman, conservationist
Michael Yacino, a longtime champion of Massachusetts sportsmen and women, received the Gov. Francis W. Sargent Conservation Award this week for his contributions to conserving the Commonwealth's natural resources. Yacino, of Douglas, is the seventh recipient of the award established in 2000 by the Mass. Fisheries and Wildlife Board and named in honor of the former governor and noted conservationist who directed the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) in 1963 and '64.
"Mike Yacino has been a tremendous supporter of Massachusetts's conservation and land protection efforts, as well as an effective leader in protecting sportsmen's interests and educating young people regarding wildlife conservation and outdoor skills," said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffin, whose department includes the MassWildlife.
An avid hunter, fisherman and competitive shooter, Yacino served as executive director of the Gun Owners' Action League from 1977 to 2005. He has supported a range of conservation initiatives in Massachusetts, including funding for open space preservation, legislation to create the Wildlands Conservation Stamp, and the Rivers Protection Act of 1996. Yacino is also an outdoor writer, a supporter of youth outdoor recreational opportunities, and was a leader in the 1998 Lead Shot Initiative, a program designed to educate shooting range operators about environmentally responsible management of spent ammunition.
"Mike Yacino has been a life-long advocate for wildlife conservation and sportsmen's activities," said Fisheries and Wildlife Board Chairman George Darey. "He has been one of the principal voices in ensuring that sportsmen's license fees support professional wildlife management and protect valuable wildlife habitat."
Animal-rights activist serving time
It's taken a year, but New Jersey animal-rights activist Albert "Ali" Kazemian, 51, is finally serving the 30-day jail sentence he received last year for tampering with bear traps on a neighbor's property, according to The Outdoor Wire.
State Fish and Wildlife officers had set the trap to capture and remove a bear reportedly seen in the neighborhood. Kazemian was caught by officers while pouring human urine from a gallon jug near the bear trap.
In Vernon Municipal Court he eventually pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and obstruction of justice, his second conviction in Vernon. In 2006, he was convicted of the same charges for interfering with hunters in the state's 2005 bear hunt.
On Friday, Superior Court Judge N. Peter Conforti refused to stay Kazemian's sentence, ordering him to begin serving the sentence immediately. At that point, Kazemian was handcuffed and taken to the county jail. "His conduct has been consistent to violate the law," Conforti said.
Massachusetts has a similar "hunter harassment" law which imposes jail sentences and stiff penalties for interfering with a hunter(s).
Marc Folco is the outdoor writer for The Standard Times. Contact him at openseason1988@aol.com
A fine is a tax for doing wrong.
A tax is a fine for doing well.
A fee is a tax for exercising a right.
Governor Patrick is acting like those southern governors who instituted expensive poll taxs on ‘uppity’ minority voters.
I think any permitting fee is an abridgment of our rights.
But at a minimum, any permitting fee should be limited to the cost of running a permitting scheme.
Don’t miss the last section, “Animal-rights activist serving time.”
Sometimes, but not usually. Usually...
Don't throw out the baby with the wash, just because the wash is now dirty and the baby's not clean yet. And if you washed the baby yesterday and it's dirty again, it doesn't mean washing doesn't work.
ML/NJ
Every single time I read a story like this one, I thank God that I left Massachusetts years ago.
It must be the loopiest state in the Union.
Can you imagine what John Adams would think of this legislation?
Gov. Patrick(one of the biggest meatheads to sit in a governor’s chair) actually thinks that if you take guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens, that act will make things safer for MA citizens.
This is pretzel logic in its finest form.
Well, yeah, I was being fairly general, and you went and got all specific on me... :-)
The funny part is, if you incur a fine or pay a fee as a business, it’s a tax deduction!
Not true. You can not deduct fines (for supposed wrong doing) for your Pre-tax earnings to get to taxable earnings.
Fees on the other hand, then yes, that is a tax deduction.
I knew this would be their next play. Miller does us no good and Heller hasn’t overturned the fact that a “right” can’t be “liscenced.” Thus, they will try their damnedest to tax it out of the “common mans” economic capacity, and thus make it an “elite” thing when the elites are already in the facisists back pocket.
Well, my “Privilege License” from NC is $50 each year.
Gotta pay the state $50 a year so I can be employ myself and be in business.
Taxes and fees add up - I pay a ton of them.
More guns..more ammo...more range time!
That is correct but.....I still have a problem understanding why if the pro-abortion group feels a rule (law, ordinance) violates their "right to abortion" in any way, they can get an injunction stopping implementation of such rule within 24 hours or less. It then takes up to years in court to get any kind of actual ruling and disposition. When such rule/law/ordinance is limiting a citizen's 2nd Amendment "right" defined by the Supreme Court of the U.S., we whine and moan and obey the rule/law/ordinance for years while (if ever) it is being challenged in court.
Oh, I see this as a master chess player (I’m not) would see a game -
“uh, after that move, you have 4 more moves until you’re beaten”
“I could do something you don’t expect”
“in that case, you have 3 moves”
Our move: The ussc has stated unequivocally that the 2nd is an individual right.
Their move: they are imposing taxes, fees, and other hurdles to the right to KEEP AND BEAR arms.
Our move: Next decision needs to contain the words “no undue burden”, and they’re done.
Look at the voting rights issue and abortion for examples of how this was used in the past.
"NO STATE may convert a RIGHT into a PRIVILEGE and require a LICENSE or FEE for the exercise of that RIGHT!!! Please see MURDOCK vs. PENNSYLVANIA, 319 U.S. 105, and if a STATE does erroneously do require A LICENSE OR FEE for exercise of the RIGHT, the Citizen may IGNORE THE LICENSE AND OR FEE and exercise the RIGHT WITH TOTAL IMPUNITY!!! Please see SCHUTTLESWORTH vs. BIRMINGHAM 373 U.S. 262. YOU CAN NOT BE PUNISHED FOR THE EXERCISE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT!!! Please see MILLER vs. UNITED STATES 230 F2nd 486. You have a PERFECT DEFENSE TO THE ELEMENT OF WILLFULLNESS if you rely on the advice of Counsel or upon a DECISION OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT AS A DEFENSE. Please see U.S. vs. BISHOP, 412 U.S. 346. If the Prosecution who bears entirely the proofs beyond a TOTAL REASONABLE DOUBT can NOT prove WILLFUL INTENT TO AVOID AND KNOWN DUTY OR TASK UNDER THE LAW WITH A MORAL CERTAINTY, said Prosecutor does NOT HAVE A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR WHICH A COURT OF LAW MAY GRANT RELIEF TO HIM/HER, and thereby has NO CASE AT LAW!!!! FACT!!!!! See Michigan Court Rule 2.116 (c) (8) FAILURE TO STATE A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR WHICH RELIEF MAY BE GRANTED BY THE COURT."
Semper Fi
An Old Man
PS: I agree with your Tag Line.
Smacks of a poll tax, doesn't it. A "right" isn't really a right if it is controlled to the point of not being able to exercise it. The lawsuits will continue. Thanks to H vs DC the fight will be on a new level.
Seems to me that the “full faith and credit” clause comes into play here. If my drivers license, etc, are recognized by the other 49 states a carry permit (or hunting license enabling open carry) should also be recognized.
This is a great post/comment. But as with anyone doing battle against Big Brother, be warned that you had better have ample time and ample funds to carry on the fight, regardless of your legal standing. If the law and constitution were actually adhered to by the left, this website probably wouldn’t even exist.
>But at a minimum, any permitting fee should be limited to the cost of running a permitting scheme.<
WRONG!!! I could push the cost up out of sight by hiring and paying for more lawyers than I need to do the job.
As individuals, neither you nor I will last long enough to see a similar fate befall the socialists in Washington. As Citizens of the United States, we also can act in concert to eliminate the obstacles to exercising our rights, or, we can fall back on the 2nd Amendment and compress the time line while simultaneously eliminating many who would seek to enslave us.
This just might be another of those times where if we do not all hang together, we will most likely hang individually.
They can’t ban guns so they find a way to effectively do the same thing without calling it a ban. The left is clever and experienced at finding ways of violating the Constitution and getting away with it.
Sure do. It was $1.50 in VA. It was mentioned in the recent Voter ID case, so I made a note of it.
They always are.
My question is, how does the “revolution” look? Is it taking shape?
Yeah, I thought about that. The permit fee should be no more than a "reasonable" cost of permitting, not some bloated department where the gun haters put all their friend on the payroll.
Make it the same as a driver license. Good for 10 years.
Hire a stupid bureaucrat to file away a piece of paper - $1.
Buy stupid bureaucrat a name tag that says he’s a stupid bureaucrat - $1.
Hang plaque outside stupid bureaucrat’s door that says “Gun Free Zone” - $1.
Anything beyond that is infringement.
I got to disagree with most on this thread. I want to know if the Second Amendment, as affirmed by the USSC, states that I have a right to own a firearm for defense of self, family and property then WHY do I need a license to exercise that right?
Exactly!
WHY do I need a license to exercise that right??????????????????
Surge Protector ("a long-term security arrangement between the United States and Iraq")
Real Time News and its Enemies (Pelosi!)
Home invasion by the State (UK)
All aboard the NYC Jihad Train!
From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.
There, fixed it.
Poll tax was the first thing I thought of. Can you imagine if we had to go through the same rigamarole for voting that we do for keeping and bearing arms? (or even assembly, some speech, lots of religious activities)
And don’t tell me a vote can’t kill. Look how long it took to enact the Partial Birth Abortion Ban and the Born Alive Protection Act.
See comment# 23. LOL at myself, my mind locked on Harper’s Ferry, a la John Brown’s raid, when I tried to retrieve the decision. The correct name is Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections.
Just thought you might want to know...
Cheers!
Thanks for the ping!
And the requirement for a permit is an infringement. As such it is verboten, ya?
Concur with you all.
Licensing? Infringement.
Anything beyond sales tax is infringement!
I think that most Americans will allow us to drop into socialism without anything more than an occassional wimper. The idea of fighting for their rights and liberties is so foreign and disgusting to them that they can’t imagine supporting anyone who wants to do or heaven forbid, doing it themselves.
......, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” ..........it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Thomas Jefferson, 1776.
This is nothing more than a reenactment of the racist based poll tax and is designed to keep law abiding citizens of limited means the ability to legally "Purchase the right" to defend themselves.
Paging Justice Brothers Jackson and Sharpton........
This is nothing new. These anti-civil rights laws are, and always have been, racist and elitist.
Read this:
Civil rights organization fights elitists and racists
http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0708/0708racistgunlaws.htm
You are referring of course, to most of the posters on this thread, I assume.
I can't for the life of me figure out why people who otherwise seem quite normal argue that paying the government to exercise their rights is a good thing. It didn't used to be like that.
Semper Fi
An Old Man
It's fine to support the military but when it comes to 'you' stepping out into the line of fire, where the wax actually meets the flame, then we demand that different standards should apply. And that's the part I don't comprehend. Anyone over 50 has already lived the most exciting and wonderful stages of their lives, why should they be terrified of dying for their kids and grandkids. Instead we ask the youngsters who haven't yet experienced 1/10th of the fun we've had to give their lives, to give their lives for us.
You are opening a very deep can of worms! It is not the death part that bothers men, it is the fear of being hurt. I don.t have time to go into this, but, the young ones have always born the burden.
If you do need some help, I can probably round up a company sized unit if need be.
Semper Fi
An Old Man
I would not presume to speak for the late Mr. Adams, who in any event, left a wealth of his worthy thoughts behind in print for us to consider.
I do have a guess or two about what former Boston bookseller Henry Knox [for whom Ft Knox, Kentucky is named, among his other many accomplishments] would have thought about it, however. And I also have a fair idea what he'd have done about it.
Give me a ping if you require any armor support for your flanks, or would like to have a couple of Gurkhas on your side helping keep the other folks from getting much sleep at night.
Former 19-D30, NRA Life Member, and Distinguished Rifleman Badge holder, reporting as ordered.
And that day is coming. Of that, I have no doubt.
L
Coming and coming sooner than most want to see it. Prepare now.
Take care,
L
Can I take point?
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