A civil-rights group is protesting a 1998 gun law in Massachusetts,
saying it discriminates against gay and lesbian gun owners, the Daily Free
Press, the independent student newspaper at Boston University, reported
Feb. 26.
The Pink Pistols, based in Boston, Mass., claim the law is discriminatory because it promotes vague and arbitrary requirements for gun licenses and ownership. "It's a discriminatory piece of garbage," said Pink Pistols founder Doug Krick. "There's no set standard as to who may or may not carry firearms in this state. When things are left to that level of discretion, it's been shown that laws are not equally enforced."
In particular, the Pink Pistols
are protesting against the law's discretionary licensing, a requirement
that gives each Massachusetts police chief final authority to distribute
gun permits. "Since 1998, police chiefs have been emboldened to take
a much more aggressive stance to deny applicants," said Krick. "Some
police chiefs do use it properly. Probably
more abuse it than use it properly."
The measure was sponsored by [lesbian] state Sen. Cheryl Jacques (D-Needham). She said the Pink Pistols are "misinformed and misguided," and contested the group's charges of discretionary licensing.
"They're concerned about discretionary licensing that's been around for decades," she said. "The '98 law, which is supported by over 98 percent of Massachusetts residents, is specifically about keeping guns out of the hands of those with criminal records and a history of mental illness. It is about keeping people safe."
The Pink Pistols are planning a
campaign to fight the law that includes media awareness, partnership with
public officials and lawsuits. The group has received support from
several nationwide gun groups, including Cease Fear and Jews for the Preservation
of Gun Ownership.