Massachusetts House Approves Tougher Firearm Laws, Targets “Ghost Guns”
Massachusetts House lawmakers made a significant move on Oct. 18 by passing a measure that aims to strengthen the state’s firearm laws and crack down on unregistered “ghost guns.” This legislation, known as H. 4135, has been met with strong opposition from gun rights advocates who claim it is “the worst anti-gun legislation in the country.”
The bill, passed with a 120–38 vote, proposes several key changes. It mandates the serialization and registration of crucial gun components, enhances efforts to prevent illegal guns from entering the state, and modernizes the existing firearm registration system. Additionally, it expands the ban on assault weapons by prohibiting the purchase of AR-15-style firearms and the conversion of legal guns into illegal automatic weapons.
The proposed regulation also includes provisions to outlaw firearm possession while intoxicated, prohibit firing guns near homes, and ban carrying firearms in polling places, schools, and government buildings. Furthermore, it seeks to expand the state’s “red flag” laws, which allow judges to temporarily suspend gun licenses of individuals deemed to be a risk to themselves or others.
The passage of H. 4135 has faced strong criticism from gun rights advocates, particularly the National Rifle Association of America-Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). In an Oct. 18 statement, the NRA-ILA urged supporters to voice their opposition to the bill by contacting their state senators.
The NRA-ILA described H. 4135 as a bill that rewrites gun laws in the Commonwealth and imposes unprecedented gun control measures. They argue that it includes widespread bans on commonly owned firearms, eliminates due process through expanded “red flag” laws, expands gun registry programs, and places an extreme financial burden on gun owners.
According to Massachusetts Rep. Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy), the legislation was prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2022 that expanded Second Amendment rights. He stated that the Supreme Court’s ruling nullified certain components of the state’s gun laws, posing a threat to public safety.
Mr. Mariano wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “With the passage of this legislation, the House has once again displayed an unwavering commitment to ensuring that Massachusetts remains one of the safest states in the country.”
Donna Stevenson, a volunteer with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action, expressed support for the bill, stating that it is a vital step forward in addressing gun violence and providing resources to combat the crisis.
Opposition From Police Chiefs, Republicans
The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association unanimously criticized the bill, opposing its measures. As the ones responsible for approving gun licenses in the state, the police chiefs will be tasked with enforcing the regulations outlined in the bill.
There were concerns raised about off-duty officers not being allowed to carry their weapons. However, lawmakers amended H. 4135 to permit off-duty officers to carry guns, even in prohibited places like government buildings and schools.
Firearms on display at Gun Effects in Los Angeles on Sept. 8, 2023. (Christina Corona/NTD)
Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners’ Action League, criticized H. 4135 as an overreaction to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York. He argued that the proposal unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners instead of focusing on reducing crime.
The bill sparked heated debates in the House, with Republicans voicing their concerns about the strict measures. Rep. Peter Durant (R-Mass.) emphasized the importance of keeping people safe without infringing on the rights of legal citizens.
Massachusetts already has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, and it boasts the lowest gun death rates among all states, according to Statista data. In 2023, the state recorded a gun death rate of 3.4 per 100,000 residents, significantly lower than the highest-ranking state, Mississippi, which had a rate of 33.9 per 100,000 residents.
As of now, the state Senate has yet to introduce its version of the legislation. Once both Democrat-led chambers finalize a single bill, it will be sent to Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, for her signature before becoming law.
While the Senate leaders have not announced a specific timeline, Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) expects the final bill to reach the governor’s desk by the end of the current legislative session in July 2024.
How does the proposed legislation in Massachusetts aim to address the issue of “ghost guns”?
Massachusetts House Approves Tougher Firearm Laws, Targets “Ghost Guns”
In a significant move on October 18, Massachusetts House lawmakers passed a measure aimed at strengthening the state’s firearm laws and cracking down on unregistered “ghost guns.” This legislation, known as H. 4135, has faced strong opposition from gun rights advocates who claim it is “the worst anti-gun legislation in the country.”
The bill, passed with a 120–38 vote, proposes several key changes. It mandates the serialization and registration of crucial gun components, enhances efforts to prevent illegal guns from entering the state, and modernizes the existing firearm registration system. Additionally, it expands the ban on assault weapons by prohibiting the purchase of AR-15-style firearms and the conversion of legal guns into illegal automatic weapons.
The proposed regulation also includes provisions to outlaw firearm possession while intoxicated, prohibit firing guns near homes, and ban carrying firearms in polling places, schools, and government buildings. Furthermore, it seeks to expand the state’s “red flag” laws, which allow judges to temporarily suspend gun licenses of individuals deemed to be a risk to themselves or others.
This new legislation reflects the ongoing efforts to address gun violence and promote public safety. By implementing stricter laws and regulations, Massachusetts aims to prevent the proliferation of unregistered and illegal firearms. Ghost guns, which are homemade firearms without serial numbers, pose a significant challenge to law enforcement as they cannot be traced or easily detected. By mandating the serialization and registration of gun components, the state hopes to close this loophole and ensure that every firearm in circulation can be accounted for.
Opponents argue that these measures infringe upon their Second Amendment rights and will only affect law-abiding citizens who already comply with existing firearm regulations. They fear that such regulations will not effectively deter criminals who obtain firearms through illicit means. Critics also express concern that the expanded definition of assault weapons may ban firearms that are commonly used for self-defense or sport shooting, impacting law-abiding gun owners.
Proponents of these stricter firearm laws argue that they are necessary to protect public safety and reduce gun violence. They believe that closing the loophole for ghost guns and strengthening the state’s existing regulations will make it harder for dangerous individuals to acquire firearms. The expansion of “red flag” laws is seen as a crucial step in identifying and temporarily disarming individuals who are at risk of causing harm to themselves or others.
It is important to note that this legislation has not yet become law. It must still be approved by the Massachusetts Senate and signed by the Governor before it can be enacted. However, the strong support in the House suggests that it stands a good chance of moving forward.
The passage of tougher firearm laws in Massachusetts brings attention to the ongoing debate over gun control in the United States. As different states grapple with this issue, there is a need to find a balance between protecting individual rights and ensuring public safety. Only time will tell whether these measures will have the desired effect of reducing gun violence in Massachusetts.
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