MA: Man faces Charges for Self Defense With Inherited Gun

The development is about 15 years old

One of the major reasons for those who push for a disarmed population to desire the registration of all firearms is that it makes the ownership of the means to self defense contingent on government approval.  This is the philosophy that "everything that is not permitted is forbidden", rather than the standard English/American philosophy that "everything that is not forbidden is allowed".  It is an enormous difference in perspective. 

In Revere, Massachusetts, a homeowner evicted from a party after getting in a fight.   He returned with his 50 year old step father.   From wcvb.com:

After he was kicked out of the party, he returned to the home with his 50-year-old stepfather and they started striking the residence with rocks and baseball bats, officials said.

The 77-year-old homeowner, Robert Distefano, fired at the two men when they approached him, according to authorities.

The 21-year-old suffered critical injuries but is expected to survive, and the 50-year-old man also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Distefano is not facing charges related to the shooting but will be arraigned Monday for unlawful possession of a firearm within in his home because he used a deceased relative's handgun, officials said.

Once it is clear that ownership is contingent on government approval, then the restrictions on approval can gradually be increased to reduce the number of firearm owners.   This is already underway in Massachusetts.

It is not clear that Massachusetts requires registration of firearms, but a permit is required to merely possess a firearm.   State law used to require permits to purchase or possess firearms be issued for long guns; a recent change in the law now gives judges the authority to forbid possession of all guns if requested to do so by a police chief.   The law is very recent, and there will be court cases to clarify it, no doubt.

In this case, Mr. Distefano is facing charges because he did not jump through the legal hoops required of him by state law, in order to exercise his rights.  If you have to ask the government for permission to do something, it is no longer a right.  

 ©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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