Protesters made sure their point got across to motorists whizzing around the intersection.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hundreds of country residents took to Park Square on Monday in support of the right to bear arms.
The Berkshire County League of Sportsmen are joining groups across the state this week in protesting further legislation aimed to restrict gun ownership.
The group says both the laws in place and those being proposed limit lawful gun ownership but fails to address the criminal element.
"It's the average guy who is affect by these laws. It's not the criminal element," said President Mark Jester.
Jester says Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed gun laws should include measures to address reducing crime rather than adding more hoops for gun owners to jump through. The "one gun a month" provision would limit the amount of guns or magazines owners who have gone through background checks and registered can buy in a month.
"If I miscount the days, I go to jail for two years," Jester said, adding that a criminal will still get unregistered weapons.
Straw purchases, in which a registered gun owner purchases a weapon and gives it to someone else, is against the law but has never been prosecuted in the state, Jester said.
On the federal level, the group is opposing restriction on the types of guns, claiming that many eyed to be eliminated are the most popular for sportsmen.
"The sportsmen are sick and tired of being the scapegoat," Jester said.
Guns are used for self-defense, he said, and violent crime decreases with more lawful gun owners. He carried around a list of "myths" about proposed laws saying there is no "gun-show loophole" or "armor piercing bullets."
Gun control has become a national conversation after the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn. Both the state and the federal governments have been debating legislation to restrict gun ownership and certain types of guns.
Monday's rally is the first local one but sportsmen have been protesting across the state, many of the local gun owners attending every one. It is estimated that nearly 200 people attended — coming and going during the 2 1/2 hour rally.
"We've been getting some good public support," Jester said.
The rally is intended to show that law-abiding gun owners' rights need to be protected during those debates.
"It's about protecting civil rights of citizens," Jester said. "We're the good guys, not the bad guys."
Tags: gun control, guns, protests, rally,
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Rain Slows Growth of Butternut Fire
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point.
"We want to start with some good news. Ground patrols are finding minimal new fire activity since this morning's rains began," the Great Barrington Fire Department posted on its Facebook page at 12:45 p.m..
"We want to reiterate that the rain will not extinguish the fire but it is helping to stop the spread. The weather has also delayed some of the drone operations — as a result we do not have an official size. What we do know — the growth has been minimal."
Fire Lt. Brian Mead earlier Thursday morning said the fire had seen some growth overnight but not to extent of Wednesday's surge. Fire was reported within a quarter mile of homes and was "stopped in its tracks." There are now more than 100 personnel on the ground and there has been one injury related to the fire, which he did not elaborate on.
"The rain will help to some extent but it will not extinguish the fire," said Mead. "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come but we still need your help. Please, please follow the local and state bans on outdoor fire. The last thing we need is another preventable fire."
At 4 p.m., the department reported that it will continue to operate under unified command with support from local, state, and federal agencies. Friday's operations will be scaled back with smaller crews and focused on monitoring and reporting.
At the last live update of the day, Mead said the fire would continue to be monitored and fire crews dispatched as needed.
"There is a lot of misinformation on out social media and we ask that you please, please rely on local official sites," he said. "Please avoid the areas and allow us to do our work."
The rain and smoke has made drone monitoring difficult so the exact size of the fire is not known; he estimated it grew about 100 acres over the past 24 hours.
Two rumors he dispelled were that the fire did not start at Camp Eisner. Mead said the initial location of the burn has not been identified but it did not start at the camp, which is occupied. Ski Butternut is also not in danger and that fire crews have kept the blaze to a safe distance.
A section of the Appalachian Trail has been affected and that area shut down.
Thursday's rain slowed growth and allowed crews to establish strong fire boundaries meaning that swaths have been cut and cleared to create fire breaks — which are holding.
At this time, no homes or structures are in immediate danger.
The fire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain was first reported Monday evening. On Tuesday, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered over 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.
The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.
Firefighters were dispatched to three locations for concerns of fire extension into homes and in one instance, the fire was allowed to continue in a controlled state to a driveway and self-extinguished. They are aware of one injury from the fire and urge community members to avoid the area and leave firefighting to the professionals.
"More than 120 personnel are on the ground today fighting this fire," Mead reported on Thursday morning.
He said the day’s rain will help to some extent but will not extinguish the fire, explaining "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come."
At this time, the primary focus remains the protection of life and property, as patrols and alert residents identified some encroaching fire and stopped it in its tracks.
"We have strategically placed structural task forces, prepared to protect homes and property. Although they are staged and at the ready — there is NO immediate threat to residents," the department wrote in the 12:45 update.
"At the same time, crews have been working through the rain cutting fire breaks in the forest to further stop any expansion. Those control lines are holding."
Area residents can expect smoke to linger for the next several days. The Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative released guidance for the poor air quality, as it can worsen allergies and cause respiratory infections, especially for those with heart disease asthma, or other lung diseases.
Residents are urged to monitor air quality and symptoms, move outdoor activities inside, wear a KN-95 mask when outdoors, close windows and vents in homes, and use HEPA filters.
Even with recent rains — there is a burn ban in Great Barrington until further notice. Additionally, state officials are evaluating week by week for statewide bans.
"With an immense amount of appreciation, we are not accepting donations at this time. In true New England fashion — neighbors have truly helped neighbors," the department wrote. "We are grateful to the community for once again showing your support."
Mead urged the community to "please please follow the local and state bans on fire, the last thing we need is another preventable fire."
Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point.
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