HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4054 FILED ON: 7/21/2015
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No.
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John C. Velis
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to gun free zones.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
John C. Velis | 4th Hampden | 7/21/2015 |
Paul R. Heroux | 2nd Bristol | 7/22/2015 |
Susan Williams Gifford | 2nd Plymouth | 7/23/2019 |
Timothy R. Whelan | 1st Barnstable | 7/23/2019 |
Donald F. Humason, Jr. | Second Hampden and Hampshire | 7/23/2019 |
Michael J. Finn | 6th Hampden | 7/22/2015 |
Stephen L. DiNatale | 3rd Worcester | 7/23/2015 |
David T. Vieira | 3rd Barnstable | 7/23/2019 |
Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. | 5th Worcester | 7/23/2019 |
Ryan C. Fattman | Worcester and Norfolk | 7/23/2019 |
Bradley H. Jones, Jr. | 20th Middlesex | 7/23/2019 |
Anne M. Gobi | Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex | 7/23/2019 |
Jonathan D. Zlotnik | 2nd Worcester | 7/27/2015 |
Leah Cole | 12th Essex | 7/23/2019 |
Viriato M. deMacedo | Plymouth and Barnstable | 7/27/2015 |
Angelo L. D'Emilia | 8th Plymouth | 7/27/2015 |
Joseph D. McKenna | 18th Worcester | 7/27/2015 |
James R. Miceli | 19th Middlesex | 7/27/2015 |
David K. Muradian, Jr. | 9th Worcester | 7/27/2015 |
Elizabeth A. Poirier | 14th Bristol | 7/27/2015 |
Dennis A. Rosa | 4th Worcester | 7/28/2015 |
Benjamin Swan | 11th Hampden | 7/23/2019 |
Jose F. Tosado | 9th Hampden | 7/28/2015 |
Susannah M. Whipps Lee | 2nd Franklin | 7/27/2015 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4054 FILED ON: 7/21/2015
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No.
By Mr. Velis of Westfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of John C. Velis and others for an investigation by a special commission to study and evaluate policies within the so-called “Gun Free Zones”. Public Safety and Homeland Security. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)
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An Act relative to gun free zones.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Whereas, it has become evident that “Gun Free Zones” have become a popular target for murderers and terrorists; and
Whereas, “Gun Free Zones” have become dangerous places for our children and families; and
Whereas, the citizens of the Commonwealth have the right to defend themselves and others anywhere they have the legal right to be; and
Whereas, the employees of the government at all levels should be able to work in a safe and responsive environment;
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
There shall be a commission established to review current and future policies within the Commonwealth regarding so-called “Gun Free Zones”.
The members of the commission shall be as follows; one member appointed from Gun Owners Action League who shall act as chair of the commission, one member shall be the colonel of the state police, one member shall be appointed by the Massachusetts law enforcement firearms instructors’ and Armorers’ Association, one member being a private security expert appointed by the governor, one shall be a counter terrorism expert appointed by the governor.
The commission shall be tasked with reviewing current, statutes, regulations and or policies within the Commonwealth regarding facilities, properties, and areas where lawful citizens are not allowed to carry items for self-defense including, but not limited to, firearms, defensive sprays and knives.
The commission shall work to identify potential unsafe areas within the Commonwealth and provide suggestions for increasing the safety of citizens in these areas.
The commission shall be provided with quarters in the state house or elsewhere and may: (i) expend for expenses and for expert, legal, clerical and other assistance such sums as may be appropriated therefor; (ii) travel within the commonwealth; and (iii) hold hearings. Private or executive meetings of the commission shall be open to the public unless a majority of the members of the task force shall vote otherwise. A notice of each such meeting shall be filed with the clerk of either branch, and the notice or a copy thereof shall be publicly posted in the office of such clerk at least 24 hours prior to such meeting, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.
The commission shall report the results of its study, together with drafts of legislation or regulation, if any, necessary to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the report with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate on or before December 1, 2016. The clerks of the house of representatives and senate shall forward the report to the chairs of the joint committee on public safety and homeland security and the chairs of the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight.