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Bill H.3476 Up For Vote In Massachusetts House Of Representatives

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Today, according to opponents of the bill, concerned airsoft players in the State of Massachusetts and the rest of the U.S.A will have to wait what the state’s House of Representatives will do with Bill H.3476 as proposed by State Representative Daniel Cullinane (D, Dorchester). After the Joint Committee On Public Safety and Homeland Security came out to be favorable with changes, the Bill will be on the House Floor for First and Second Readings; and vote if this bill will proceed to the Third Reading.

Usually a proposed legislation that is approved to be favorable will then be read on the floor for the First Reading and referred to either the Committee On Steering and Policy or placed in the Order Of Calendar without debate for the Second Reading. This probably where the Bill H.3476 will be in the legislative process today for the members of the House of Representatives will debate  and where it will be subject to amendments and motions before voting on if it will proceed to the Third Reading or not.

In a news report by Telegram.com, Rep. Harold P. Naughton Jr., (D, Clinton), House chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, said that, “It is not the intent of the bill to ban imitation firearms such as airsoft and paintball guns.” He also said that they will introduce changes to text of the bill “to allow imitation firearm enthusiasts to continue to enjoy these replicas for recreational use.

That’s good news, but still the text of the bill remains the same as far as the website of the 189th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is concerned. If there have been changes to the bill, then it is best to know now.

As for airsoft players in the state, they will need to lobby harder now and will have to email or meet their representative in their respective districts. For them to contact their local representative or State Senator, they can find their contact information here. The Save Massachusetts Airsoft (FIGHT Massachusetts BILL H-3476) will need to come out with a template for airsoft players in the state to use when they email their representatives to come out with a unified message.

So far, the petition which is ongoing right now will have to meet at least a good number for legislators to take notice. With just about almost 1,300 petitioners in state, they still have a long way to go.

Also, the campaign should also endeavor to reach out the Police Chiefs as they are invited to Committee hearings and their inputs are taken seriously. If they Police agrees on ways to make it safer without banning airsoft in the state, then they will propose any changes to the bill.

The action required is now for airsoft players to focus on their representatives to help prevent the Bill from moving forward with the original text and introduce amendments to address concerns about the safety of replica firearms. No amount of comments on Facebook and social media networks will influence the legislators unless airsoft players will reach out and state their objections and concerns.

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