Sullivan v. Reilly

12 Mass. L. Rptr. 184
CourtMassachusetts Superior Court
DecidedMay 15, 2000
DocketNo. 00446-H
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 12 Mass. L. Rptr. 184 (Sullivan v. Reilly) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts Superior Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Sullivan v. Reilly, 12 Mass. L. Rptr. 184 (Mass. Ct. App. 2000).

Opinion

Lopez, J.

This action for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief arises from the interpretation and enforcement of a provision in G.L.c. 140, §123, whereby the defendants were caused to lose their Massachusetts state licenses to deal in firearms. The plaintiffs claim such loss of'license is a violation of their equal protection rights (Count One), that the statute is unconstitutionally vague (Count Two), and that the statute violates their due process rights (Count Three). The plaintiffs request a preliminary injunction enjoining the enforcement of G.L.c. 140, §123 until further notice of the court. The defendants oppose the request and move to dismiss the complaint pursuant to Mass.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6).3 As discussed infra at p. 3, this motion is now treated as a motion for summary judgment pursuant to Mass.R.Civ.P. 56. The defendants’ motion is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.

BACKGROUND

The summary judgment record indicates the following undisputed facts.

In 1998, the Massachusetts state legislature, through the omnibus Gun Control Act (“the Act”), amended the licensing provisions for gun dealers. St. 1998, c. 180 & 358. Chapter 180, section 19 provides in pertinent part that “all licensees shall maintain a permanent place of business that is not a residence or dwelling wherein all transactions described in this section shall be conducted and wherein all records required to be kept under this section shall be so kept.” St. 1998, c. 180, §19, codified at G.L.c. 140, §123 (fifteenth).

On October 29, 1999, defendant Attorney General Thomas Reilly (Reilly) sent a letter to the various chiefs of police in Massachusetts requesting that they review the outstanding gun dealer licenses issued by their respective departments pursuant to G.L.c. 140, §122 (“§122 license”) to ensure that they are in compliance with G.L.c. 140, §123. The letter advised suspension or forfeiture “under the applicable provision of G.L.c. 140, §125.” Pursuant to this letter defendant Massachusetts chiefs of police proceeded to terminate the plaintiffs’ state gun dealer licenses as follows:

Defendant East Longmeadow chief of police Paul D. Erickson (Erickson) terminated the state gun dealer license of plaintiff Clifton T. Graves (Graves). Graves received neither notice nor a hearing prior to the termination of his §122 license. Graves is currently licensed under federal law as a gun dealer. Graves maintained his business in his basement with a separate entrance from the outside and an entrance to his home. His business value including inventory is approximately $100,000.

Defendant Framingham chief of police Brent Larrabee (Larrabee) terminated the state gun dealer license of plaintiff William B. Carnicelli (Carnicelli). Carnicelli received neither notice nor a hearing prior to the termination of his § 122 license. Carnicelli maintains his business in his home. The value, including inventory, of his business is approximately $40,000. On February 23, 2000, Carnicelli was informed by letter from Larrabee that his license was feinstated after an inspection by Lt. Wayne A McCarthy that Carnicelli was then in compliance. Carnicelli also holds a federal gun dealer’s license.

Defendant Sutton chief of police John Hebert (Hebert) revoked the state gun dealer license of plaintiff Anthony P. Martinello (Martinello). Martinello was informed by letter of the decision to revoke his license. Martinello received neither notice nor a hearing prior to the termination of his §122 license. Martinello maintains “a separate place of business in his home.” The value, including inventory, of his business is approximately $50,000. Martinello currently holds a federal gun dealer license.

Defendant Pembroke chief of police Gregory Wright (Wright) notified plaintiff William J. Sullivan (Sullivan) by telephone that he was not in compliance with the new statutory provision and that his state license would not be renewed. Wright did not act further since Sullivan’s license was due to expire. Sullivan did not apply for renewal of his license. Sullivan, through counsel, wrote to defendant DiFava and requested a hearing pursuant to G.L.c. 140, §122 on the decision to not renew his license.4 Sullivan maintains his business in a former garage attached to his home with a separate entrance from the outside as well as an entrance from his home. His business value including inventory is approximately $50,000. Sullivan holds a federal license to deal in firearms which has not been affected.

Defendant North Andover chief of police Richard M. Stanley (Stanley), attempted to terminate plaintiff Joseph Quinn’s (Quinn) state license. Quinn holds a state license to deal in firearms as a wholesaler and also holds a federal firearms dealer’s license. Quinn remains in business as a wholesaler of firearms. Quinn maintains his business in his home with a separate entrance from the outside and a separate entrance to his home. His business value including inventory is approximately $160,000.

All of the above properties are otherwise in compliance with local zoning requirements.

In no case was a hearing or other opportunity to be heard at any time provided in connection with any license termination or non-renewal.

[186]*186DISCUSSION

The defendants move to dismiss the complaint against them and in so doing submit various exhibits for the court’s consideration including affidavits from Hebert and Wright and several documents. The plaintiffs have filed no opposition to the motion to dismiss but instead have chosen to rest on their memorandum in support of their motion for preliminary injunction which includes additional exhibits.

A motion to dismiss under Mass.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim for which relief may be granted may be properly treated as a motion for summary judgment pursuant to Mass.R.Civ.P. 56 where the court has received matters outside of the pleadings. See Stop & Shop Cos., Inc. v. Fisher, 387 Mass. 889, 892 (1983). Both parties have submitted exhibits for consideration by the court on this matter. Further, under the standard for issuing a preliminary injunction, the court must make a determination of the likelihood of success on merits of the complaint and in so doing may consider documents outside of the pleadings. See Packaging Ind. Group, Inc. v. Cheney, 380 Mass. 609, 616-17 (1980). No prejudice to either party would result from a conversion to summary judgment in this case. Cf. Stop & Shop Cos., Inc, 387 Mass, at 892. Accordingly, the defendant’s motion to dismiss is properly treated here as a motion for summary judgment.

This court grants summary judgment where there are no genuine issues of material fact and where the summary judgment record entitles the moving party to judgment as a matter of law. Cassesso v. Commissioner of Correction, 390 Mass. 419, 422 (1983); Community Nat’l Bank v. Dawes, 369 Mass. 550, 553 (1976); Mass.R.Civ.P. 56(c).

Additionally, although not raised in plaintiffs’ complaint this court also addresses below the relevant issue of standing as raised by the defendants and separately briefed by the parties as requested by the court.

A. Plaintiffs’ Standing to Bring Suit

The court specifically requested that the parties address the issue of the plaintiffs’ standing to bring the current suit.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Sullivan v. Department of the State Police
13 Mass. L. Rptr. 179 (Massachusetts Superior Court, 2001)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
12 Mass. L. Rptr. 184, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/sullivan-v-reilly-masssuperct-2000.