MA Firearm Safety

Archive for June, 2009

      It has been suggested by more than one talking head that politicians in general should be paid more than they currently make. The most often used example is the position of President of the United States. Here they state that CEO’s of large companies make huge amounts of money in comparison to the most powerful office in the world. While that may be true, what I never hear in that argument is that people who run for high office, your senators and congressmen, are already very wealthy. They also have big backing from special interest groups and all the money that entails. Not to mention the perks that come with their office, access to free air travel, body guards etc.

   These talking heads think that if we throw more money at politicians that they will be more efficient, make better decisions. I do not believe that for a second. People who run for public office do not do so for the pay check, they spend more money for the seat of power they are running for than they would ever hope to recoup. For these people they crave the power to control millions of other peoples lives, money alone does not give them that power. To shovel more tax payers money at these politicians will not suddenly mean that they will now make better decisions, absolutely not, they tell you what you want to hear to be elected, then they come into office with preconceived little agendas that have absolutely nothing to do with the wants or needs of their constituents. This is quite obvious when these so-called ‘representatives’ vote on bills that are extremely important and extremely large, (stimulus bill, health care bill, Cap and Trade bill) they cannot even be bothered to read them first! But make sure they exempt themselves from these bills.  How is that for a ‘screw’ you America’ example?

    These incumbents no longer represent you or I, they only represent themselves! They vote on bills that will only enrich themselves further! One term in Congress and they can retire with a huge pension for life, nice…. They have large shares in companies that will benefit directly from bills they push down our throats, this is a huge and dishonest conflict of interest!

   I believe firmly that term limits are now one of the only ways remaining to take back the country from long embedded politicians who show they are more than willing to sell their souls, the Constitution, and America down the river for their personal agendas, schemes, and bankrolls. What do you think? I think a new party is in order. Lets start one, how about the Tea Party or Constitutional Party? Let’s throw fear into both the democrat and republican party’s, lets upset their little house of ill repute!

Mark Shean www.mafirearmsafety.com  written 6-27-2009

   Have any of you ever thought about taking an advance on your Master Card or Visa? Think twice! I was going to take an advance on my card one day for an item I could use in my side business. I never do anything like this, but the item was kind of pricey and I did not really want to deplete my cash on hand that much, in one swoop. I normally live by the rule that if I cant buy something with cash, I just don’t buy it until I can buy it with cash. So anyway, seemingly against all logic, (I did have the cash) I was willing to take an advance on my card.

   Luckily it dawned on me to call the card company first, not because I wanted to know if I had the available credit line, I knew that would not be a problem, it was because I thought the card company might freeze my account if a large advance was suddenly attempted. That could be recognized as suspicious activity. So I called the handy dandy customer service number on the back of my only credit card and I immediately hear the obligatory message, ‘due to high caller volume’ the anticipated wait time is 5 minutes, (it is never 5 minutes). Next of course, you are prompted to push ‘1’ if you want English, (never mind that the illegal alien you end up talking with can barely speak English). Then, your asked to punch in your entire credit card number.

   Now, you are like a hostage, listening to crappy elevator music, this music could replace water boarding at Gitmo! I am convinced this music is designed to drive people OFF the phone, so that companies will not have to deal with you! I’m nearly a broken babbling drooling fool by the time someone comes to the phone! On top of that cruel and unusual punishment, every minute, an automated voice cuts in telling me that I am a valued customer, and that my call is very important to them, (sure I am). You could call this 24 hour number at 1-AM and you would sit through the same B.S., (sure there is high caller volume) sure!

   Finally, after 49 minutes, I swear to God, 49 minutes, some Cuban national answers the phone and in very broken Spanish asks you a series of questions, (for security reasons), what’s your name, what’s your SS#, what’s your mothers maiden name, what’s your dogs name, are you married, what’s your wife’s name, what’s your dogs birthday, what is your 16 digit card number,(that you had previously punched in), where was the great aunt of your mothers first cousin born, what was her doctors nick name? After you get through all of this BS she asks how she can be of help, I almost forget why I called, but it slowly comes back to me….

    I was only calling to let you know that I was going to take a large advance on my line of credit today and did not want my account frozen, OK? I’m sorry sir I will have to transfer you to our security department, please hold. Noooooooooooooooooo! To late, I have been put on hold for another torture session with elevator music, fifteen more minutes go by, I am reminded every minute that I ama valued customer, it makes me feel important, I am about to break when someone who can actually speak English picks up, for me the fact that the music has gone away is a gift from God. I go through the same malarkey I went through the first time, (I guess they dont transferr notes). So I tell him the same thing about taking an advance, that I was just giving a courtesy call, (something that I will never ever do again). Then he tells me that just for my information,there will be a one time 3% transfer charge, and also, whenever anyone takes an advance, the % rate on that money is now at a higher rate, this peaks my interest. I ask how high? It will be billed at 19% sir. I almost fall off of my chair! 19%?! I have excellent credit, I have never been late on a bill in my life I tell him. He says, I’m sorry sir that is the policy, it applies to everyone, (unless your Congressman Christopher Dodds I suspect). Then he says, but the money that is already in there will remain at the same 7% that it is at now.

   This gets better, next he says, you have to pay off the existing balance at 7% before any payments are applied to the advanced money at the higher 19% rate! At this point I visualize lobsters coming out of this guys ears!  So, I say, let me get this straight, what you have just told me is that I would now be paying 26% on the entire balance of my card, 19 + 7 = 26%, is that correct? Not to mention the one time transfer fee of 3%! Well, yes sir it is. In Mafia circles that is called loan sharking, and it is highly illegal I tell him. But because its a credit card company it is legal!? Yes sir.

   Boy, I think, isn’t Congress just looking out for us little folks, and not paying any attention to those greedy credit card lobbyists!  Boy oh boy, what a swell bunch of representatives down in D.C.! (sure). So I say to this guy, I know this is not your fault, but take a note and pass it up the food chain would you please? Yes sir. Tell them s.o.b.’s that we, the tax payers of America bailed their asses out, directly due to their ineptitude, and now they have the unmitigated gall to charge their saviors 26% on our money!? On second thought, forget the advance, I am now glad I called, and when I kill off the balance of this card I will close it, tell them jack asses that for me would you? Yes sir! Then I did what I should have done in the first place, I bought that item with cash. Take note folks, this is your stimulus rescue money at work for you, courtesy of Congress! What do you think?

Mark Shean  www.mafirearmsafety.com  written 6-24-2009

   Dear Representative DeMacedo: On May 6, 2009, Governor D. Patrick submitted for the House to consider, a bill entitled “An Act To Reduce Firearm Violence”. In the governors first paragraph he states; ‘We simply cannot allow violence with illegal guns to continue’, next he claims that his proposal tackles the problem of violence and illegal firearm possession in several ways:* It shrinks the supply of illegal guns by limiting gun buyers to one firearm per month.

   Really. Mr. DeMacedo, in case you missed what that last sentence just said, by limiting LEGAL gun buyers to one firearm per month he feels he is limiting illegal guns! So legal permit holders are all criminals? In his mind, we are the perceived crime problem?! I understand that politicians do not like to read a bill, they vote first and read it later, but in this case could you convince people to read this one first? Maybe you and others could ask the governor to explain how limiting me, and all those I associate with, and all those they associate with, and so forth and so on, (you get the picture), we want to know how this bill will deter one criminal from committing a gun crime? We would really like to know.

   News flash! Criminals have no gun permits, do not go into, cannot go into gun stores to buy guns, but all your law abiding constituents, (you know, people who vote) with permits can, and do. This proposed so-called legislation only targets law abiding citizens, and after reading the entire convoluted mess, I am strongly asking you to vote NO to this infringement into law abiding citizens lives and their rights!

   I have lived long enough to figure out that virtually everything is about money, this ‘Act’ is nothing more than an attempt to raise revenue. It takes away the legal permit holders ability to transfer a firearm to another legal permit holder by forcing them to sell it at a gun dealers store. Why? Tax money for the state from the fees charged by the gun shops, that’s why.

   I did not realize that our jails were so empty that there was room for 10 years for anyone with a legal high capacity permit caught buying 2 high capacity magazine’s / guns within a month, that is what the governor wants. Pedophiles who rape and molest our children, even killers get a lessor sentence, sad but true. Section 2 of the ‘Act’ boils down to gun registration, how else would anyone know when someone buys a second gun or magazine in one month? That is unconstitutional.

   Nothing in this proposed bill stops or even reduces crime, it just picks the pockets of and threatens law abiding citizens. There are laws on the books for criminal behavior already, enforce them. Does the governor really believe criminals guns will be registered? If he doe’s Ill sell him a bridge in Brooklyn. If you want to clean up crime, start in the House were the last 3 out of 4 Speakers have been indited. Leave the law abiding public alone!

   I will end this with some astute words of wisdom from a once prominent Italian lawyer. {“False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from man because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailant’s; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”} Cesare Beccaria, circa: 1770.

   {Note: If you want to call your public servant at the State House call 617-727-1100 then press 0 for a real person. Mark Shean–

UPDATE, 7-3-09, I did get a reply from DeMacedo’s office, one of those form letters they use to brush you off with. You know, “Thank you for your concern in this matter,……and here is a phone number to a representitive of G.O.A.L, you can contact him with your concern. Excuse me Mr. Vinny DeMacedo, if Im not mistaken, I voted for YOU to represent me, not G.O.A.L.!

 Sincerely, M.Shean www.mafirearmsafety.com  written 6-19-2009

http://www.nagr.org/UNTreaty_Pledge1.aspx?pid=4b

Mark Shean Sr. author of #GUN SENSE, on Amazon.

Hello, I am no lawyer, I just try harder to keep up with the gun laws that effect people in Ma. than others do, so if you do not agree with something here by all means research the answer for yourself. In this series I have written some numbered articles, {50 and counting} entitled #GUN SENSE. Many of these come directly from my experience’s and touch on various aspects of firearm safety, (just scroll down and click any article #). Gun Sense is a useful reference extension beyond my class. We talk about some of these things in our firearm safety classes, (please look them over) along with the laws, (GS #32 + 41) set down by the state of Massachusetts for the Basic Firearm Safety Course for those who would like to apply for a License to Carry (LTC) or Firearm Identification Card (FID).  

With this class comes our  support long afterward, consider us your ‘safety net’, if you have questions in the future rest assured we will answer them through emails, GUARANTEED. If you have trouble with gaining your license we will point you in a direction to succeed, and if for some reason it is beyond our scope, (seldom) we can put you in touch with a group of lawyers that may take your case for free, *it rarely comes to this level of assistance.  This is a level of assistance I have offered all my clients since I started in 2000, it is not found anywhere else, a little research is all you need to confirm this.  

We take your success in gaining a LTC or FID VERY seriously. My son Mark  joined me with many, (26) years of firearm knowledge/experience to his credit giving the same level of excellence and follow-through in every class that he will give.

In my opinion, gun owners who vote for any candidate(s) that are in favor of ‘gun control’, amounts to the same thing as  turkeys voting in favor of Thanksgiving……… get my meaning? Mark Shean 

Tragic Events with
common denominators.

Why Carrying A Gun Is A Civilized Act

EVIL GUNS ?

Common Sense? The meaning has ‘flip flopped’

Remember, The American Revolution would never have happened had government “gun control’  already been in place, watch very closely all who want it. Ignorance of history can cost you your Freedoms.

Remember; {Firearm Education Will Save Lives, Firearm Ignorance Can Take Lives.}

Sincerely, Mark Shean   About Me   Contact

www.mshean1955@yahoo.com   KB1WSV

“Arms discourage and keep the plunderer in awe, they preserve order in the world as well as property…horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding citizen be deprived of the use of them”. –THOMAS PAINE–

All comments/insights are welcomed throughout this series. Please Pass This Safety Info On To Those You Care About. You have my permission to pass along my ‘Gun Sense’  information. Reviews

  “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week” –GENERAL PATTON-

 “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

Continued from page 2: People that want to obtain their pistol permits are not the problem, a simple background check is all that is needed to verify that. They need not be treated with, in many cases, contempt. Politicians and the police need to understand that these citizens are not the reason for crime, and treating them badly is not a solution to crime, and never will be.

   There has never been a criminal, that on the threshold of perpetrating a crime, stoped and said,”gee, I think I should obtain a pistol permit first”. There will be police chiefs screaming that they need arbitrary discretion over this issue, no, they do not. They need clear, concise direction from you in the legislature. Arbitrary discretion does a disservice to the public. Not everyone may want to keep a firearm(s) for self defense, but every American should support and honor the constitutional rights of all those who do, by not allowing discretionary tactics to strip away that right, ever.

   I am not a lobbyist, I am only an individual highlighting a problem that exists, a problem that is effecting only the honest people of the state. I am asking as a constituent, for representation that would give relief to all law abiding citizens/constituents in Massachusetts. I thank you in advance for taking the time needed from your busy schedules to consider this outlined problem/proposal. Please, if you have any questions I would be honored to lend any assistance I can. cc: Rep. T.J. O’BRIEN (D) 12Th Plymouth District. Sincerely, Mark Shean–

    [Note; I wrote this and sent it certified mail and received the return receipts. When shown a chance to make a positive impact that would effect good people statewide what we receive instead is no response, none, from either DeMacedo or O’Brien. But when they see a chance to levy a new tax or scheme up a new fee, politicians are johnny- on- the- spot for any opportunity to lighten our wallets. As THOMAS JEFFERSON once said,{“What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?”}

Term limits need to be forced onto the next election cycle for a binding vote!

M. Shean, written 3-9-2006  www.mafirearmsafety.com

Continued from page one: If discretion is the common denominator being exercised by each town and city, then it is far from consistent, and on a broad scale, being used irresponsibly by many in positions of authority. There needs to be simple criteria, set in positive law, from Boston to Lenox and from Gloucester to Province town, without variation, so that anyone anywhere knows what to expect when applying for any gun permit. As it stands now it appears extremely arbitrary, simply because it is.

   The blame for this falls directly at the feet of the legislature, and I am asking you as a legislator, and my Representative, to propose the bill that will correct the problem. I do not believe anyone should point out a problem without offering what could be a viable solution or solutions to a problem. As with an FID, (firearms identification card) there should be set reasons to deny: 1. Having been convicted of a felony within the last five years. 2. Having a record of drug or habitual drunkenness within the last five years. 3. Having been confined to any hospital or institution for mental illness unless he/she has an affidavit from a physician stating that he/she is not disabled in a manner which should prevent his/her possessing a handgun rifle or shotgun. 4. If there is a current restraining order in effect, with gun ownership reinstated after it is vacated or expires. 5. There should be an appeal process should a ‘rogue’ town invent its own law(s) outside of set law. 6. There should be considered an exemption to the age requirement of ’21’ for anyone serving in the armed forces for a pistol permit. These responsible young men and women put their lives on the line daily so that we may enjoy our freedoms, yet they are not shown the courtesy of obtaining a pistol permit in Massachusetts. No veteran, past or present, should need to pay for any firearms permit, they have already paid through their service to our country.

   I would be very surprised if there was not broad bipartisan support for this exemption. There should not be restrictions such as ‘target and hunting only’, “any or all lawful purposes” covers target and hunting if one wishes to do so, and does not infringe on ones right to self defense, as ‘target and hunting only’ does. People have a right to personal protection, and there is no provision in the Constitution for government to arbitrarily place restrictions on that right. This is where law makers have a bipartisan opportunity to demonstrate that they actually understood their oath to office. {Note; continued on page three…..} written 3-9-2006   www.mafirearmsafety.com

State House, Boston: Dear Mr. DeMacedo; Hello, I will try to be as concise as possible concerning the problem herein. I am a basic firearms instructor registered with the state. As such, I have had the opportunity to hear many varied true stories that concern many an honest citizens quest to gain his or her license to carry concealed in this state. I will relay to you the following examples that highlight a few of the road blocks that are being reported to me from people that have taken my safety class, as well as others.

These examples are not all inclusive. 1. Some are told they need to prove that they have cause to fear for their safety before they will be given an application, and to write a letter to the chief outlining their specific concern. 2. There are those told they must first prove they are members of a gun club before they may apply for any permit for firearms. 3. There are restrictions such as, ‘for target and hunting only’ imposed on people that want a carry permit for personal protection,with no good reason why they can not. 4. There are towns that will not issue carry permits to anyone, including retired police officers. 5. There are towns that tell people they will not issue a class ‘A’ permit to anyone who has not had one before, instead they will issue a class ‘B’ permit for target and hunting only, but, if in six months you have not been in trouble with the law you may come back for reconsideration for the class ‘A’ permit, but this will cost another $100, (never mind that these people have neverbeen in trouble with the law in their lives), this is a scam to fleece people twice by the state. I hope this is not done by design as a ‘back door tax’ to raise additional money for the state? This practice should be investigated and stopped. 7. One town will not give out class ‘A’ permits because the chief claims that two people in the past had firearm related accidents so he no longer gives them out, (how capricious) this is blanket paranoia. Under this police chiefs theory, it should follow that because there have been car accidents in the past no one should be given a drivers license I suppose. 8. There are towns that want an applicant to have a physical exam and a mental evaluation to make sure they are physically and mentally able to handle a gun. Does this mean that someone with a physical handicap need not apply? That sir is discrimination.

Many, but not all of these towns, require any number of letters of reference concerning the applicants character, when in reality the police need only to punch in a persons SS# , as they do at a traffic stop, to know more about a person than anyone writing a letter of reference could possibly know about someones legal background. Hoops? You bet they are. These ‘hoops’ to jump through are simply used as tools of harassment, designed to dissuade people from applying for gun permits. I could cite more examples, but I wanted to point out a few of the obstacles that honest law abiding citizens are made to endure in order to pursue their right to self defense in Massachusetts. There are towns that use multiples of those examples listed, and others not listed.

There is a common thread that runs through all of the afore mentioned examples, that thread being “absurdity”. Then there are towns that only do a background check, and rightly so, that is all that should be required. {Note; to be continued on pages two and three……..} www.mafirearmsafety.com