JAMES EHRHARD

STATE SENATE
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www.jamesehrhard.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Dated: May 27, 2014
Contact: James P. Ehrhard (candidate)
Tel: 508.344.1977; ehrhard@jamesehrhard.com
Stephen Hackett (campaign manager)
Tel: 774.276.1568; ehrhard@jamesehrhard.com



JAMES P. EHRHARDS (Republican candidate for State Senator for the Worcester, Hampden,
Hampshire & Middlesex seat) STATEMENT REGARDING GUN LAW LEGISLATION
RELEASED TODAY BY SPEAKER DELEO


Sturbridge, MA James P. Ehrhard, Republican candidate for State Senator for the Worcester, Hampden,
Hampshire, & Middlesex senate seat, releases the following statement in response to the sweeping new
gun legislation unveiled today by Speaker DeLeo:
This law as proposed is a failed solution looking for a problem that doesnt exist. It also shows
that the liberal Democrats in charge on Beacon Hill have no understanding of the culture, land and people
in western Worcester County and eastern Hampden County. As you drive through the 28 towns of my
Senate District you see open land, multi-acre homesteads and numerous sportsmens clubs. Guns are a
central part of the lives of these citizens. But apparently the liberal Democrats in charge on Beacon Hill
unabashedly believe that government exists for the purpose of protecting these people from themselves
and this proposal provides a perfect example of this flawed thinking.
Central components of the law dictate that local police chiefs have absolute discretion in licensing
owners for shotguns and rifles. It bans the private sale of guns without a licensed gun dealer and,
disturbingly, requires gun owners to list all the guns they own each time they renew their license.
The old adage is that every intrusion on our gun rights is an intrusion on all rights. Every time
the government makes it more difficult to own a firearm, all it does it make it more difficult for law-
abiding citizens to own a firearm and protect themselves. The mentally ill and criminals will always find
a gun if they want to evil always finds a way. It is the law abiding citizens who are hurt by this
legislation.
Notably, there is no reason provided as to why this legislation is even necessary. Speaker DeLeo
refers to it as a response to the Newtown tragedy but this legislation would not have stopped such a sad
occurrence. All it does it make it harder for people to protect themselves from such evil.
Additionally, the legislation itself concedes that the state government is incompetent in managing
the highly restrictive gun law we already have in place. The bill allows a gun owner to keep his or her
receipt of license renewal application as proof of registration until a new license is issued. This is in the
bill because of complaints that licenses are lapsing currently without a renewal, even if they applied with
the government on time.
One reason I am running to be state Senator is to be the voice in the Senate working to stop
legislation such as this proposed by Speaker DeLeo which tramples on the rights of the people of my
District.




Mr. Ehrhard is a former member of the Tantasqua Regional School Committee and owner of the law firm
of Ehrhard & Associates, P.C. The senate seat is currently held by Democrat Stephen Brewer who has
announced he is not running for re-election.

Mr. Ehrhards full biography, statement of candidacy and senate district information is ALL available on
the campaigns website at www.jamesehrhard.com. The campaigns Facebook page is at
www.Facebook.com/JamesEhrhard. The campaigns Twitter feed is at www.Twitter.com/JamesEhrhard.

District information: The Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire & Middlesex District includes 28 towns
covering all of western Worcester County and eastern Hampden County. It has one town in Hampshire
County and one town in Middlesex County.
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