Welcome to a weekly series here on Pew Pew Tactical dedicated to the gun news you need to know.
So, keep reading for this week’s notable news headlines…
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Massachusetts Gun Bill Spark Fury Among 2A Advocates
An extensive gun bill premiered on the House floor in Massachusetts, poised to redefine “assault weapons” and place restrictions on so-called “ghost guns.”
HD.4607 is an update to an earlier bill that failed to pass several months ago, but the new bill, sponsored by Rep. Michael Day (D), continues to push for tighter gun restrictions.
The bill outlines measures requiring serializing firearm parts, tightening down on 80% kits and firearms. It would also require that manufacturers provide serial numbers for 80% kits and parts.
It further attempts to redefine “assault weapons,” changing the terminology to “assault-style firearms.”
Under the bill, assault-style firearms would be defined as:
- A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle with the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device and includes any of the following features: a folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip or thumbhole stock, forward grip, a threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor or muzzle brake, a shroud that encircles the barrel to shield the bearer’s hand from heat.
- A semiautomatic pistol with the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device and includes any of the following: any feeding device that grips outside the pistol grip, a second handgrip held by the non-trigger hand, a threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor or silencer, a shroud that encircles the barrel to shield the bearer’s hand from heat.
- A semiautomatic shotgun with the capacity to accept a detachable feeding device and includes any of the following: a folding/telescoping stock, a pistol grip or thumbhole stock, a protruding grip for the non-trigger hand.
- Any firearm listed on the assault-style firearm roster pursuant to section 128A.
- All AK-style rifles and pistols
- All AR-style rifles and pistols, including the AR-10 and AR-15
- Dozens of other rifle and pistol-type weapons, including the Barrett M107A1, Springfield Armory SAR-48, all Thompson rifles, all UZI types, and the MAC-10. (Full list here)
- Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder
- All belt-fed semiautomatic firearms
- Any copy or duplicate of any firearm meeting the standards above
Exempt from the rules are manual bolt, pump, or lever action rifles alongside antique or theatrical guns or semi-auto shotguns with less than 5-round capacity.
Gun owners who currently own any firearms from that list will be grandfathered in so long as they own them prior to August 1, 2024.
In addition to redefining semi-autos, the bill also limits guns in certain public areas, adds to the requirement to obtain a license to carry (now requiring a live fire training component, and strengthens red flag laws.
A public hearing was held this week, and gun owners did not hold back on their feelings, telling legislators the bill violates their Second Amendment rights.
“We have complied with your unconstitutional laws for decades, and it has done nothing but feed your insatiable appetite for more gun confiscation schemes,” Toby Leary, co-owner of Cape Gun Works, said.
“You continue to blame the most peaceful citizens for evil acts of people who ought not to be on the street. You’ve gotten away with violating your oath of office. It is time for you to comply and honor your oath.”
Jim Wallace, Executive Director of the Gun Owners’ Action League, had harsh words for politicians, calling the bill “the most egregious attack on civil rights I have seen from a government in this century, in Massachusetts and nationwide.”
On the other side of the aisle, though, supports say the measures will help address gun violence and keep residents safe.
The bill has been called “incredibly thoughtful” by John Rosenthal, Founder and Chair of Stop Handgun Violence, who said it poses “no inconvenience whatsoever [on] law-abiding gun owners.”
A vote on the bill will likely take place later this month.
Smith & Wesson Officially Opens Doors in Tennessee
Gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson opened the doors to its new facility in Tennessee this week, now calling the Volunteer State home.
The 650,000 sq. foot facility in Maryville, Tennessee, was announced in 2021 after legislation put the squeeze on Smith & Wesson’s Massachusetts-based headquarters. After several years in the works, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the new facility.
“From where I stand, the next 170 years of Smith & Wesson are looking pretty good,” Smith & Wesson CEO Mark Smith told the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It is something special here in Tennessee.”
The $120 million move will see employees from Springfield, Massachusetts; Deep River, Connecticut; and Columbia, Missouri, converge on the new location, with the Connecticut and Missouri facilities set to close operations.
In all, the new facility will serve as the company’s headquarters as well as handle distribution and assembly.
Sig Sauer to Expand Ammo Factory in Arkansas, Add 600+ Jobs
Sig Sauer plans to invest $150 million to expand its ammunition factory in Arkansas, adding over 600 jobs.
The expansion will see the addition of a new 250,000 sq. foot building to better support the company’s government contracts.
Sig was tapped to provide the U.S. Army with its new Next Gen. Squad Weapon along with the 6.8 ammunition for it. They are the sole provider of said ammo.
“We are incredibly excited about expanding our ammunition operations here in Jacksonville and building upon years of success in Arkansas,” Ron Cohen, Sig’s President and CEO, said in a statement.
“This opportunity has proven itself essential to the growth and sustainment of our ammunition business, and further enforces our commitment to the Arkansas community and workforce.”
The company moved to Arkansas in 2016 from Kentucky and, in 2021, made its first expansion with a $12 million investment.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) applauded the expansion and said the state is happy to see Sig’s continued commitment to Arkansas.
“Here in Arkansas, we love welcoming business expansions almost as much as we love defending the Second Amendment. Sig Sauer’s expansion to their facility in Jacksonville does both, creating jobs and reaffirming Arkansans’ right to keep and bear arms,” Huckabee Sanders said.
“I’m proud this company chose Arkansas to plant its roots, and I’ll keep cutting taxes, investing in education, and growing our workforce to invite even more jobs and businesses to the Natural State.”
2 Leave a Reply
IMO the Tennessee move is a good thing, Beretta moved out of Maryland under then Gov. Martin O'Malley (the shirtless wonder) who brought horrible gun restrictions to Md.. I fear socialism is spreading not just in large metropolitan areas just look whats become of Nashville.
There need to be severe consequences for elected officials proposing brazenly unconstitutional laws. They currently have nothing to lose, as they get to defend their tyrannical garbage in court with the tax dollars of the very people whose rights they're trampling on. We're literally being forced to fund attacks on ourselves.