On Sunday, a Nevada man opened fire at a Las Vegas concert, killing 58 and wounding more than 500. Stephen Paddock used automatic weapons to shoot concertgoers from his room at the Mandalay Bay hotel. Following the massacre, police discovered .223 caliber and .308 caliber assault rifles, and other firearms that had been altered to operate as automatic weapons. Nevada had previously prohibited high-caliber automatic weapons under the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, however, that law expired more than 10 years ago.
The tragedy, which is the largest mass shooting in U.S. history, has everyone shocked, and baffled. According to his brother, Paddock wasn’t an avid gun guy. “Where the hell did he get automatic weapons,” said Eric Paddock. “He has no military background or anything like that. A MA defense attorney can help you protect your rights if you’ve been charged with a crime.
Where and how Paddock obtained these automatic weapons is as yet unknown. Some were probably purchased illegally. That being said, Nevada’s gun laws are some of the most relaxed in the nation. Gun owners are not required to register their firearms, or even to be licensed. In Massachusetts, gun laws are much stricter. In fact, MA’s gun laws are some of the most comprehensive in the country. Not surprisingly, MA’s violent crime rates are among the lowest in the country.
Are Gun Laws Really So Tough?
In order to purchase or carry a firearm in Massachusetts, a prospective buyer must be fingerprinted, receive safety training, take a test, and submit to a waiting period. In addition, law enforcement is involved in the entire process.
In MA, there are five different types of firearms licenses. These are:
- RFID – Permits an individual to carry pepper spray or mace
- FID – Permits an individual to carry pepper spray, mace, and long rifles
- Class B license – Permits an individual to purchase long rifles and hand guns with no more than 10 rounds (concealment is not allowed)
- Class A license – Permits an individual to purchase any firearm in MA, and includes concealment privileges
- The 5th license – Permits the purchase of automatic weapons (for law enforcement only)
If you want to purchase a gun, you must first obtain a license of ownership. In order to obtain a license, you will have to complete an application, pay applicable fees, and be interviewed and fingerprinted at the local police department. From start to finish, it takes about 30 days. By integrating law enforcement into the process, implementing waiting periods, and making the license application so rigorous, purchasing a gun in MA is not an easy task. A Boston defense lawyer can help you determine how to move forward if you’ve been charged with a gun crime.
MA is Tough on Gun Dealers
As hard as the purchasing process sounds, MA gun laws are even more rigorous for dealers. In fact, MA has the harshest gun store laws in the country. Dealers must be licensed, maintain regular communication with the state, keep detailed records, allow inspections, and follow a long list of security regulations.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Boston’s Top Criminal Defense Law Firm
If you have been charged with a gun crime, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of individuals charged with criminal offenses for more than 50 years. It is our goal to keep you out of jail and to keep your record clean. MA’s gun laws are ranked as the fourth toughest in the nation. Tough gun laws likely contribute to our low rate of violent crime, but they occasionally put good people behind bars. Humans make mistakes. Don’t make another one by hiring the wrong attorney. We will review the details of your case to determine the best legal strategy, and we’ll stay by your side throughout the entire process. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.