In a bold move aimed at strengthening gun safety measures, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has immediately implemented new gun legislation, bypassing the usual 90-day waiting period. This sweeping law targets several key areas, including a crackdown on unserialized “ghost guns” and accessories like bump stocks and trigger cranks. It also mandates mandatory safety training and basic safety knowledge demonstration for gun license applicants.
This legislation, approved by state lawmakers in July, comes as Massachusetts already boasts some of the nation’s toughest gun laws. Gun rights advocates, however, have strongly opposed the law, labeling it a “historic attack on our civil rights.” They argue that the new requirements impose undue burdens on law-abiding citizens seeking to own firearms.
The law’s immediate implementation effectively blocks any attempts by gun rights activists to temporarily suspend its enforcement through a petition process. Additionally, these activists are pursuing a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law and have initiated a campaign to place a referendum on the 2026 ballot, allowing voters to potentially repeal the measure.
The new law significantly expands the state’s “red flag” law, empowering law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and school officials to alert courts when individuals with access to guns pose a potential threat to themselves or others, enabling temporary firearm confiscation. This enhancement, along with other provisions, aims to address the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which affirmed citizens’ right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.
Governor Healey’s decision to enforce the law immediately has drawn criticism from gun rights groups, who contend that it creates “onerous firearms legislation” and sets unrealistic hurdles for responsible gun ownership. The law prohibits carrying firearms at schools, polling places, and government buildings by individuals not part of law enforcement. It also mandates that gun license applicants demonstrate a basic understanding of firearm safety principles and requires local licensing authorities to consider mental health information.
Beyond stricter licensing, the law defines “assault weapons” more broadly, encompassing known assault weapons and similar functioning firearms. It also prohibits the possession, transfer, or sale of assault-style firearms and high-capacity ammunition magazines. The law further empowers district attorneys to prosecute individuals who fire weapons at or near homes and ensures those subject to restraining orders lose access to firearms.
This aggressive approach to gun safety, while met with resistance from gun rights advocates, is intended to address the ongoing concerns about gun violence in Massachusetts. The impact of these new regulations will be closely watched as the state navigates the complex and controversial issue of gun control.
