Gun advocates in Massachusetts have successfully collected enough signatures to place a question on the 2026 ballot seeking to repeal a recently enacted gun law. The law targets privately made, unserialized ghost guns, criminalizes possession of bump stocks and trigger cranks, and mandates live-fire training for gun license applicants.
Additionally, the law expands the state's red flag law to allow various officials, including police, health care professionals, and school staff, to alert the courts about individuals deemed dangerous and potentially have their firearms temporarily confiscated.
Supporters of the repeal effort have gathered over 90,000 signatures, surpassing the required threshold to bring the issue before voters.
One of the leaders of the repeal campaign criticized the new law, claiming it infringes on the rights of law-abiding citizens without effectively addressing crime or gun violence.
The decision by Massachusetts Governor to immediately implement the law has sparked further controversy, with gun rights activists expressing frustration over the lack of opportunity to suspend the law until the ballot question in 2026.
The repeal group has raised significant funds, including a substantial donation from gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson. The company relocated its headquarters to Tennessee from Massachusetts last year.
The law was partly a response to a Supreme Court ruling affirming citizens' right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. A federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Massachusetts law has been filed, arguing against what it describes as stringent firearms regulations.
The law prohibits non-law enforcement individuals from carrying guns in specific locations such as schools, polling sites, and government buildings. It also imposes requirements for firearm license applicants to demonstrate safety knowledge and provides authorities with mental health information.
Furthermore, the law broadens the definition of 'assault weapons' and prohibits the possession, transfer, or sale of such firearms and large-capacity feeding devices.
