Legislative updates, court decisions, and regulatory changes affecting Massachusetts firearms law.
Granata v. Campbell is a First Circuit appeal challenging the Massachusetts Approved Firearms Roster and 940 CMR 16.00 regulations. The United States filed an amicus brief January 28, 2026 urging reversal. The First Circuit heard oral argument on September 9, 2026. Its public opinions index did not list a decision in this appeal when checked on October 20, 2026.
On April 3, 2026, the First Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction against Maine's 72-hour firearm-delivery waiting period after concluding that the law was likely constitutional. The ruling addressed preliminary relief, not a final merits judgment. The Supreme Court denied the certiorari petition on October 19, 2026.
On November 3, 2026, Massachusetts voters will decide whether to keep or repeal Chapter 135, the comprehensive firearms reform law. This article explains how the ballot question works, what a YES and NO vote means, who is on each side, and what happens if the law is repealed.
Two House bills address ammunition used for hunting in Massachusetts: H1047 would require nonlead ammunition for taking wildlife, and H1075 would reform rules on shotgun ammunition for hunting. Both were scheduled for hearings on October 21, 2025.
Several of these firearms proposals accompanied study orders in April 2026. This roundup covers their proposals and the latest dated actions shown in official bill histories.
Four House bills filed in the 194th General Court would change Massachusetts firearms law. H2594 addresses curio and relic firearms, H2715 would delete the barrel shroud feature from the definition of assault-style firearm, H2711 would repeal Section 44 of Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, and H2713 would repeal Chapter 135 in full. All were scheduled for hearings on October 31, 2025.
Three House bills seek to reform Massachusetts' firearms licensing system under Chapter 140, addressing expired licenses, emergency licensing renewals and restrictions on lawful handgun sales. All were scheduled for hearings on October 31, 2025.
Six Massachusetts House firearms bills accompanied study order H.5322 on April 23, 2026. The official histories do not show enactment of the proposed changes.
House bill H.2618 proposed repealing Chapter 135 and H.2716 proposed repealing and amending parts of it, and both accompanied study order H.5322 on April 23, 2026. Chapter 135 remains in effect.
Senate Bill 1282 would require release revocation and detention after a clear-and-convincing-evidence finding that a person on release committed specified firearm or violent offenses. It does not create a new sentence enhancement.
Senate Bill 1779 would add a law enforcement officer as defined in section 1 of Chapter 6E to the persons to whom the Section 131M assault-style firearm and large capacity feeding device restrictions do not apply as to transfer or possession. The bill is titled An Act relative to private campus law enforcement officers.
Senate Bill 1775 would narrow the antique-firearm exclusion when the owner or possessor is subject to specified protective, surrender, harassment-prevention, or extreme-risk orders. It does not create police detainment procedures.
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