Governor would double gun license fees
By Nelson Sigelman
Published: July 17, 2008
Island hunters and target shooters would be hard hit by a proposal from Gov. Deval Patrick to double the licensing fees now paid by registered gun owners and add an additional annual fee for gun dealers. The governor proposed the fees in a supplemental budget that must still be approved by the legislature.
If approved the cost of a firearms license would increase from the current $100 to $200. In addition, the bill would establish a new annual $100 license inspection fee for gun dealers and increase the cost of a temporary license for out-of-state carriers from $100 to $250, according to the State House News Service.
Unlike the revenue from fishing and hunting licenses, which support programs within the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the revenue collected from the increases would be directed to the state's General Fund.
The increase would be the first since 2003, when lawmakers approved an increase from $25 to the current $100 license renewal fee.
Mr. Delisle said the proposal has its roots in the general anti-gun philosophy shared by many lawmakers and a strategy to reduce crime, a view that he does not support. "They figure they might as well sock it to us," he said.
http://www.mvtimes.com/2008/07/17/news/gun-license-fees.php Fortunately, Senators Brewer and O'Leary - Democrats - aren't buying this business.
I urge anyone interested to call them and thank them for being reasonable.