Hundreds Rally on Beacon Hill for Gun Rights

The state’s largest gun rights organization held at rally on Beacon Hill earlier today speaking out against a new gun control bill that it says will not deter gun crimes in the state, which currently has some of the toughest laws in the country.

The rally on June 18, billed as a “pro-2nd Amendment rally and lobby day,” featured gun owners and a number of lawmakers speaking out against a new bill sponsored by House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, that proposes to change the way firearms identification cards are issued as well as other initiatives like expanded sentencing requirements and a focus on mental health and substance abuse issues. 

The bill, H. 4121, is in the House Ways and Means Committee. It was reported out of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security by a 7-6-3 vote last week, according to activists.

Jim Wallace, the executive director of the Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts, said supporters of gun rights were at the Statehouse to oppose the bill.

“We are here today to demonstrate that lawful gun owners are angry about legislation that would only seek to further persecute them,” he said. “We are disappointed that this legislation is proposing nothing that would stop criminals from perpetrating gun crime. We’re here to tell the Legislature to put a face on the opposition to the bill.”

Statehouse park rangers estimated the crowd to be between 300 and 400 people.

According to a statement by GOAL, Republican House members, including Rep. Matt Beaton, R-Shrewsbury, Rep. George Peterson, R-Grafton, and Rep. Leah Cole, R-Peabody, as well as state Sen. Michael Moore, a Democrat from Millbury, who represents the Second Worcester District, all participated in the rally.