It’s been a while since home break-ins in Southborough made the news. This story is related to one – though what’s still unclear is how long ago the break-in occured.
Yesterday, MassLive reported that Worcester police nabbed two men allegedly involved in a gunfight. One gun retrieved turned out to be stolen from a home in our town:
Police caught two men with firearms, one discovered to be stolen from a Southborough home, after they responded to a report of gunshots on Canterbury Street Monday night, according to police.
Officers headed to the area of 101 Canterbury St. around 9 a.m. after receiving a report of gunshots in the area. They were able to obtain video surveillance from the area showing a large fight with weapons took place. Investigators also found ballistic evidence, police said.
A chase ensued, suspects arrested. . . you can read all the exciting details here.
While it is just one part of this incident, I believe that Massachusetts Law requires that firearms must be kept locked and stored with a locking mechanism in place. Unsafe storage of firearms is a public health and safety issue that has serious consequences and also increases the risk of theft and subsequent crime. The article does not give the details of this case, but please, if you own guns, do so responsively.
[Required Disclaimer: Although I am a member of the Advisory Board I am writing this as an individual citizen.]
Where in the story does it say the gun was not locked up? Did a previous story state that fact?
The gun was stolen from a house………….a private residence. Why blame the gun owner?
Frank, I was quite careful not to write anything about the details of the gun or the owner, in fact I acknowledge that. The article did not give the details of the case. (It is also only part of the incidents that occurred.) MGL’s for weapon storage and safety locks are applicable in private residences. If you are accusing me of blaming the gun owner of unsafe storage, I have not done that. I don’t know if it could have been an issue or not, and possibly you don’t either. I do know that it is a major problem. The more awareness there is, perhaps the less chance there will be for accidents and tragedies.
In order to legally own a firearm in Mass must have either a FID (Firearms ID Card) or a Class A Permit (Aka license to carry). Both licenses require that the applicant take a state approved gun safety class, demonstrate competent firearms handling, be fingerprinted, submit to an interview by the police, and undergo a criminal background check, and pay $100. The gun safety class does cover the storage requirements. The big difference between the 2 licenses is that the FID covers “long guns” and the Class A permit covers hand guns as well and permits “concealed carry”. In addition the FID must be issued if there is no disqualifying event. The Class A license can by denied by the police department but they must give a written reason.
Firearms safety is serious business, any responsible gun owner will tell you that. But, even following the required safety standards, firearms can be stolen and ultimately be freed from their containers or locks.
The original poster said that the article did not address the issue of whether or not the gun was secured and her reminder was not worded as “blame” of any kind. Gun safety can never be stressed strongly enough considering the astronomical number of accidental deaths, many of small children, that happen each year.
Karen, you are incorrect. Chapter 140 Section 131L paragraph (a) says…It shall be unlawful to store or keep any firearm, rifle or shotgun including, but not limited to, large capacity weapons, or machine gun in any place unless such weapon is secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant mechanical lock or other safety device, properly engaged so as to render such weapon inoperable by any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. For purposes of this section, such weapon shall not be deemed stored or kept if carried by or under the control of the owner or other lawfully authorized user.
There is no law that says they must be both locked in a secure location AND a trigger lock in a private residence. It is quite possible this gun was stolen from a law abiding citizen exercising his/her rights while following the letter of the law of the Commonwealth of MA. Had there been a trigger lock or such device, or legally locked with a cable lock in a Manufacturer supplied container as required by the State, then away from the crime scene, the criminals could gain access to the weapon. This becomes a ‘major problem’ when only armed with half truths. Just stating the facts.
Folks like Muggeridge who I do know from the neighborhood and in casual conversation, are violently anti firearm and hunting, even “for all lawful purposes”. So it was not surprising to me to read her constrained rant.My recommendation to Mrs. Muggeridge and all anti’s is to focus on the law breaker, not your anti firearm position (even with the disclaimer). Remember townspeople, If the masses do not have firearms, then the leaders become kings, and we all become peasants. This stolen property came form a home that is both responsible and good people exercising their constitutional right to ” own and bear firearms”.
Mr Fuce, I am not against firearms or hunting. I currently have game in my freezer. I support the Second Amendment. I have done recreational shooting myself, and not just at the clown with the water balloon coming out of his head at the carnival. I never recall having a conversation with you about this for you to so misrepresent my views. but I appreciate being able to correct them.
The fact that the home owner reported the firearm stolen to the police is enough for me that they had followed the letter of the law. Some would call the home owner the “victim”.