More than 100 individuals testified before the Joint Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety at what was the first of five public hearings that will be held across the state.
Julia MacMahon made the trip from Boston to encourage legislators to strengthen gun laws in Massachusetts. MacMahon works with the B-Peace for Jorge Campaign. The campaign began shortly after 19-year-old Jorge Fuentes was murdered while walking his dog outside his home in Dorchester in September 2012.
“Going to funerals is a daily event that is happening, and it’s not OK. Something needs to change. Laws need to be strengthened. Our friends who have died…they are not just a fact or statistic,” MacMahon said.
Plymouth resident Michael Velosa argued that Massachusetts has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation and is opposed to further restrictions.
“I see repeat offenders in the papers all the time. They are convicted and released and reoffend, that shouldn’t be happening. We need to start enforcing the laws we have on the books today,” said Velosa.
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