Ferrari Mailing List: Re: High Capacity Firearms Magazines

[Martin Stark (MStark]

I agree that more rounds are preferable to fewer.  And, yes, 
Massachusetts is a "retreat or flee" state. 

BRIGANDBAR [at] aol.com wrote:

> I certainly am not familiar with the specific laws of MA, but 
> remember, this discussion is one about high capacity magazines in 
> handguns, and the carrying of a "backup firearm". Please accept my 
> answer in that context.
>  
> That having been said, I believe it reasonable to assume, within that 
> context, that drawing and firing a number of rounds in excess of the 6 
> to 8 rounds contained in a "single stack" magazine for a pistol or the 
> cylinder of a revolver would, at a minimum, constitute an equally 
> serious offense under MA laws.
>  
> I'm not advocating brandishing, or otherwise disclosing the presence 
> of a firearm upon one's person in circumstances other than those that 
> could potentially have the end result of the use of deadly force under 
> permissible legal standards. I think that in the example noted, the 
> necessity of the use of a firearm in self-defense was successfully 
> avoided, thus negating any advantage of a firearm equipped with the 
> subject high(er) capacity magazines. There is little difference in not 
> firing a self-defense weapon that contains 6 or 8 rounds and not 
> firing one that contains 14 or 15 rounds.
>  
> In all circumstances, the use of the minimum amount of force necessary 
> to properly address the existent threat is the "preferred" modality of 
> self-defense. Some states, I don't know about MA so I cannot speak to 
> it, actually require one to retreat or flee rather than confront the 
> attacker with a response utilizing deadly force. Each individual must 
> be knowledgeable not only of his domicile state laws in these matters, 
> but the laws of each individual state wherein he/she elects to carry a 
> personal defense weapon.
>  
> Dr.  Steve