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Boston Pastor Meets with Governor Lynch

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Boston Pastor Asks Lynch For Help Reducing Gun Violence

Massachusetts Officials Say Most Guns Used In Crimes Come From Other States

POSTED: 5:47 pm EDT August 12, 2009

UPDATED: 6:20 pm EDT August 12, 2009

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Pastor Bruce Wall of Global Ministries Christian Church has long been outspoken about gun violence in Massachusetts. The topic got new attention recently when Philip Markoff was charged with using a gun bought in New Hampshire to kill a woman he met on craigslist.org.

Wall said the people who use the guns illegally need to take responsibility for their own actions, but he said he thinks that by bringing more awareness to the issue, it could prevent tragedies.

“What’s happening is residents from Boston are traveling to New Hampshire and working with the locals, New Hampshire residents,” Wall said. “New Hampshire residents are purchasing the weapons and giving those weapons to those from Massachusetts.”

In the Granite State, a resident who passes a background check can purchase a gun. In Massachusetts, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said that of the guns used in Massachusetts crimes, only 20 percent were purchased in the Bay State, and the rest came from states with more lax gun laws.

Wall said he visited New Hampshire to get Lynch’s attention. Lynch has told News 9 that he believes the state’s gun laws are appropriate, but Wall said he isn’t trying to change the law.

“I’m coming to New Hampshire and asking the governor if he will publically say to New Hampshire young people, ‘This is not right. You need to be careful,’” Wall said.

Wall and Lynch did speak for a few minutes behind closed doors. Wall said they talked about coming up with a plan that would allow them to work together.

“I believe he and I will have more talks,” Wall said. “I was not sure he’d be able to see me, but now he knows me and I know him, and I’m coming back.”

Lynch declined to speak with News 9 after Wall’s visit.