In response to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signing a comprehensive firearms bill into law, gun rights activists have filed a lawsuit challenging the measure, labeling it as an 'historic attack on civil rights.' The law, enacted to strengthen the state's existing gun regulations following the Supreme Court's Bruen decision in 2022 affirming the right to carry firearms in public for self-defense, includes several key provisions.
The new law targets privately made, unserialized 'ghost guns,' criminalizes possession of bump stocks and trigger cranks, mandates live-fire training for gun license applicants, updates criteria for defining assault-style weapons, and establishes an advisory board to maintain a list of prohibited firearms.
Furthermore, the legislation expands the state's 'red flag' law to allow police, healthcare professionals, and school officials to alert the courts about individuals deemed dangerous and potentially have their firearms temporarily confiscated. Those seeking to suspend the law until a potential 2026 referendum must gather a minimum of 49,716 signatures from registered voters.
Gun advocates have filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the law is unconstitutional, citing it as overly restrictive and burdensome. The lawsuit seeks to prevent enforcement of the law's licensing requirements for firearm possession and carry for self-defense.
Despite the legal challenges, supporters of the law, including Democratic State Representative Michael Day, express confidence in its constitutionality and believe voters will endorse it if placed on the 2026 ballot. The law aims to enhance public safety by regulating gun ownership, ensuring mental health information is considered in licensing decisions, and prohibiting firearms in specific locations like schools and government buildings.
Additionally, the law broadens the definition of 'assault weapons,' bans possession of assault-style firearms and large-capacity feeding devices, and restricts the issuance of machine gun licenses except for specific circumstances. It also criminalizes possessing parts intended to enhance a weapon's lethality, such as bump stocks and rapid-fire trigger activators.
Legal experts suggest that the law's provisions, including increased licensing requirements and safety training, are unlikely to infringe on Second Amendment rights and have been upheld by courts in the past. The ongoing legal battle underscores the contentious nature of gun control legislation and its impact on public safety.
