Keeping our streets safe from illegal firearms

Strengthening penalties for stealing from firearms shops – Recently within the 10th Plymouth District and throughout the Commonwealth, there has been a rash of break-ins at firearms shops and dealers.  This issue has, without a doubt, posed a great problem for the owners and employees of these shops, and significantly threatened ongoing efforts to keep local streets safe from illegal firearms and ammunition. 

Legislation introduced by Representative Canavan, and co-sponsored by a diverse and bi-partisan coalition of her colleagues, would stiffen penalties for those convicted of breaking into a firearms dealer, wholesaler or manufacturer.  Specifically:

• Those who break into such an establishment would receive a fine between $5,000-$10,000, be imprisoned between 5-10 years, or both;
• Those who do so with the intent to unlawfully obtain a firearm or ammunition would be subject to a fine between $5,000-$10,000, be imprisoned between 5-10 years, or both; and
• Those who unlawfully obtain the items listed above and distributes those items would receive a fine no less than $10,000, be imprisoned between 10-20 years, or both.