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Last Updated: Aug 28, 2009 - 10:45:21 AM |
In Massachusetts, the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) is pushing for support of a legislative measure introduced by Senator Richard Moore. "An Act Prohibiting the Confiscation of Lawfully Owned Firearms During the State of Emergency" is exactly what the name implies, a measure to keep the police in Massachusetts from duplicating the heavy-handed tactics employed by the New Orleans police department during Hurricane Katrina.
The measure came up once before, but was tabled after the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association apparently indicated a problem determining a key question: what is a lawfully-owned firearm in Massachusetts? That, GOAL writes, is reason enough to get some firearms reforms going there.
Another concern came from street cops who were concerned they could be prosecuted for a confiscation, but the person who gave the actual order would not face any penalties. Subsequently, GOAL has amended the bill to punish both the officer and his or her commander.
"During the last legislative session this bill represented a litmus test of sorts here in Massachusetts," said Jim Wallace Executive Director of GOAL. "It was a clear test to see if the legislature and law enforcement would accept that they could not unlawfully confiscate private property and further, leave citizens defenseless against marauding gangs of criminals when calling for help wasn't possible. Sadly, the state failed that test."
At this point, GOAL is encouraging members to contact their legislators and push for the measure. We'll keep an eye on that for you.
In 2004, we reported on the strange case of Owsley Brown Frazier, the heir to the Brown-Foreman fortune and owner of the Frazier International History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. Frazier had sued his former friend and fellow gun collector Michael K. Salisbury of Crossroads, Alabama, alleging that Salisbury, working in collusion with firearms historian R.L "Larry" Wilson had grossly overcharged Frazier on firearms acquisitions.
This story was a bombshell at the time, leading to charges that the world-renowned Wilson had engaged in a systematic fleecing of his clients. The story died down after some time, but Wilson wound up in a California prison for irregularities in his business.
Last July, Frazier lost a suit against Salisbury, his wife, Karen, and Wilson. Salisbury was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail, but has remained out on bail in this latest matter.
Today, it seems the Frazier matter might once again be bubbling to a boil. A furious Frazier says he'll not rest until everyone who cheated him is in prison. The lawsuit is back on the docket, however, at the request of Salisbury's attorney who wants the suit dismissed.
More contortions in a case that had collectors, auction houses and appraisers wrapped around the axle for some time in 2004-05.
When it unfolds, we'll keep you posted.
--Jim Shepherd
© Copyright 2009 by DOWN RANGE TV
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