MGCSS - Independence Day Edition
From the Boston Globe:
Why, that's just not possible. Our benevolent guardians on Beacon Hill assured us years ago that their "common sense" gun control laws were necessary to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening. Don't tell me they were lying to me. My make-believe world of daisies and honeysuckle might come crashing down around me.
Welcome to Massachusetts - where a law-abiding citizen shooting a brand new AR-15 at a paper target in a controlled environment is considered a bigger threat to society than some crackhead firing a handgun indiscriminately into a large crowd of men, women, and children.
"Hey, come on, Bruce. Don't you think you're being just a wee bit over-dramatic with statements like that?"
You think so? Tell me something. Which of the two activities I described above has been entirely curtailed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a result of the "most effective gun control laws in the country"? And which of the activities above actually does threaten the lives of children, yet remains entirely unfettered today?
Anyway, back to these holiday shootings that somehow still managed to go down in Mayor Menino's fantasy land of "common sense" gun control.
Shooting #1:
Yes, the same laws that have me still waiting (10 weeks and counting) for a government-issued permission slip, which I'm required to have before I'm even allowed to touch a gun in a gun shop, have done absolutely NOTHING to prevent this scumbag from getting a loaded handgun and opening fire in a crowd of innocent bystanders. Golly. I'm. So. Shocked.
Fast-forward one hour now to Shooting #2:
Well that's lovely. The cops try to arrest someone who was just shooting up the neighborhood, and what do the good people in the neighborhood do to thank them for their heroic efforts? Why, they nearly start a riot, of course. Just their way of showing their appreciation for the men and women of law enforcement. How utterly charming.
And now, for the obligatory money quote, without which no MGCSS would be complete:
What? No firearms license? I'm simply horrified. Say it isn't so.
Gee, you know, if only we had a longer waiting period for the purchase of handguns. Surely, if Mr. McClanahan had even a few days to "cool down" this tragic shooting would have been avoided. Or maybe if we passed a law requiring serial numbers to be micro-engraved on all ammunition casings. Now, THAT would definitely bring violent street crime in the city to a screeching halt. Or what do you say we mandate that gun owners carry $250,000 of liability insurance for their firearms? That would surely be in the best interest of "The Children".
Does all of that sound absolutely fucking ridiculous to you?
It damn well should.
Welcome to Massachusetts.
Against the backdrop of Fourth of July fireworks, five people were shot in two separate attacks Monday night in Dorchester. Boston police said they faced a near-riot in one of the shootings as they arrested a suspect for firing a gun on a street crowded with more than 1,000 people.
Why, that's just not possible. Our benevolent guardians on Beacon Hill assured us years ago that their "common sense" gun control laws were necessary to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening. Don't tell me they were lying to me. My make-believe world of daisies and honeysuckle might come crashing down around me.
Welcome to Massachusetts - where a law-abiding citizen shooting a brand new AR-15 at a paper target in a controlled environment is considered a bigger threat to society than some crackhead firing a handgun indiscriminately into a large crowd of men, women, and children.
"Hey, come on, Bruce. Don't you think you're being just a wee bit over-dramatic with statements like that?"
You think so? Tell me something. Which of the two activities I described above has been entirely curtailed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a result of the "most effective gun control laws in the country"? And which of the activities above actually does threaten the lives of children, yet remains entirely unfettered today?
Anyway, back to these holiday shootings that somehow still managed to go down in Mayor Menino's fantasy land of "common sense" gun control.
Shooting #1:
The party was winding down when three men, who apparently had not been invited, began lighting firecrackers on Lyndhurst Street, according to a neighbor, Hugh Morris. One of the men punched a Lynch family member who had asked them to stop, Morris said.
Bernard Lynch, 35, and his relatives went to help their relative and started fighting with the three men, Morris said. One of the unwanted guests left the fight and returned with a gun, Morris said. "He came back, and he just started shooting," he said. "I don't know if he knew who he was shooting at...there were a lot of kids and women out here."
Yes, the same laws that have me still waiting (10 weeks and counting) for a government-issued permission slip, which I'm required to have before I'm even allowed to touch a gun in a gun shop, have done absolutely NOTHING to prevent this scumbag from getting a loaded handgun and opening fire in a crowd of innocent bystanders. Golly. I'm. So. Shocked.
Fast-forward one hour now to Shooting #2:
About an hour after the Lyndhurst Street violence, police rushed to Capen Street, near its intersection with Evans Street, where for years residents have hosted a Fourth of July fireworks display financed by donations from local residents.
According to police and residents, 29-year-old Terence McClanahan, walked down Evans Street and shot into a crowd of people, wounding 25-year-old David Core of Mattapan in his right calf. McClanahan then walked back up Evans Street toward Milton Street, firing into the air, and as police approached, he allegedly pushed the gun into his pants pocket, police and a resident said.
Police ordered him onto the ground at gunpoint, and as they tried to handcuff him, some in the crowd around the officers became hostile, police said. "A large number of males and females had to be ordered at gunpoint to stand back away from the officers," police said in a report filed in Dorchester District Court.
Well that's lovely. The cops try to arrest someone who was just shooting up the neighborhood, and what do the good people in the neighborhood do to thank them for their heroic efforts? Why, they nearly start a riot, of course. Just their way of showing their appreciation for the men and women of law enforcement. How utterly charming.
And now, for the obligatory money quote, without which no MGCSS would be complete:
The alleged shooter, McClanahan, was arraigned yesterday in Dorchester District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and other charges.
What? No firearms license? I'm simply horrified. Say it isn't so.
Gee, you know, if only we had a longer waiting period for the purchase of handguns. Surely, if Mr. McClanahan had even a few days to "cool down" this tragic shooting would have been avoided. Or maybe if we passed a law requiring serial numbers to be micro-engraved on all ammunition casings. Now, THAT would definitely bring violent street crime in the city to a screeching halt. Or what do you say we mandate that gun owners carry $250,000 of liability insurance for their firearms? That would surely be in the best interest of "The Children".
Does all of that sound absolutely fucking ridiculous to you?
It damn well should.
Welcome to Massachusetts.
