Massachusetts Enacts Comprehensive Gun Legislation

BOSTON – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed a comprehensive gun bill aimed at enhancing the state's existing firearm regulations while addressing concerns raised by a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming the right to carry firearms for self-defense. The new law introduces stricter measures against "ghost guns," which are privately made and untraceable firearms, and expands the state's extreme risk protective order law, allowing healthcare professionals to petition for the suspension of an individual's gun rights if they pose a danger to themselves or others. The legislation also imposes strict restrictions on firearm possession in sensitive locations such as schools, polling places, and government buildings. It introduces severe penalties for the possession of modification devices, like Glock switches, which can convert legal firearms into fully automatic weapons. Governor Healey emphasized the importance of the law in maintaining community safety and addressing the root causes of violence, stating, “Massachusetts is proud of our strong gun laws, but there is always more work to be done.” Additionally, the law empowers district attorneys to prosecute individuals who discharge firearms near residential areas and ensures that those under harassment prevention orders cannot access firearms. Gun rights advocates have criticized the legislative process, particularly the lack of a separate public hearing for differing versions of the bill passed by the Senate and House. The law also bans the possession and sale of "assault-style" firearms and restricts licenses for machine guns to specific individuals, further tightening Massachusetts' gun control measures.