Police Chief Says Existing Law on Home Gun Safety Adequate

 

Swampscott Police Chief Ron Madigan says the existing Massachusetts law on gun ownership and safety is adequate.

He does not support a local ordinance that would authorize police to inspect the safe storage of guns in the homes of residents who are licensed gun owners.
 
Swampscott selectmen have asked "Town Counsel to research whether or not the current law could be enforced to determine if gun owners were complying with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 131L regarding gun ownership and safety, with the goal of ensuring safe lockup of guns to prevent children from gaining access," Town Administrator Tom Younger said in a news release.

On Nov. 6, Swampscott Selectmen discussed the enforcement of gun safety and storage, an agenda item brought forth by Selectman Barry Greenfield.

The police chief said he told Selectman Greenfield in an earlier conversation, months ago, that home gun safety inspections are not workable — a number of people would find inspections intrusive.

In Swampscott, as of last winter, 593 people had the most common gun license — a "Resident Class A Large Capacity License to Carry Firearms."

About 4.3 percent of Swampscott residents have the Class A license.