Governor Healey Signs New Gun Law Into Effect
Massachusetts has just signed a new gun law into effect. The law, which expands red flag laws, prohibits guns from being carried near schools and/or polling stations, and has overhauled Massachusetts gun regulations. The overhaul included requiring all firearms made in the state to be registered in-state in an attempt to get rid of untraceable ghost guns. It also expanded the definition of “Assault Weapons” and banned the sale of several firearms.
This new piece of legislation has stirred a lot of discussion from Pro-gun activists. Pro-gun activists have routinely criticized the term “Assault Weapons” as being a largely political term without a clear definition. The law was meant to go into effect on October 23 of this year, and the law itself was signed in July. Two separate petitions were created in response, the first to suspend the law and the second to put the issue on the 2026 ballot.
Governor Maura Healey used gubernatorial powers last week to sign an emergency preamble that immediately put the law into effect, which drew immediate backlash from pro-gun activists as being undemocratic. Pro-gun activists have claimed that the decision was only to prevent the laws suspension due to the petition, while those in favor of the law have said that an earlier enforcement will make the Commonwealth safer. Governor Healey defended her decision, saying “This gun safety law bans ghost guns, strengthens the Extreme Risk Protection Order statute to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others.”
The first petition to suspend the law is now dead in the water due to the law’s early enforcement, but the second petition to put the issue on the 2026 ballot has gained enough signatures. A lawsuit has already been filed over the law, with a 10 page complaint making it to Federal court arguing that the law was an unconstitutional infringement on second amendment rights.
