2026 Ballot Referendum: Repealing Chapter 135

A veto referendum targeting Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 has qualified for the November 3, 2026 Massachusetts general election ballot. The petition collected 78,707 valid signatures, exceeding the 37,287 required^[1].

What Is on the Ballot?

The question asks voters whether to approve Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024^[2], the comprehensive firearms reform law signed by Governor Healey. Under Massachusetts veto referendum rules:

• A YES vote keeps Chapter 135 in effect
• A NO vote repeals Chapter 135

Which Provisions Would Be Repealed?

If voters choose NO, all provisions of Chapter 135 would be repealed, and the prior versions of all amended statutes would be restored. This would mean:

• The FID would again cover non-large-capacity semiautomatic rifles and shotguns
• The "assault weapon" definition would revert to the pre-Ch. 135 version. Important: Repealing Chapter 135 would not eliminate Massachusetts' assault weapons ban. The pre-2024 ban (codified in MGL c.140 §§128 and 131M before Chapter 135 amendments) and the Attorney General's 2016 enforcement notice would remain in effect. Only the Chapter 135 expansions to the definition would be removed. Assault-style firearms that were prohibited only under Chapter 135's expanded definition might become available again; firearms already prohibited under the pre-2024 law would remain prohibited.
• Untraceable firearm and serialization requirements (Sections 121C, 121D) would be eliminated
• The Chapter 135 expansions to the ERPO framework (Sections 131R-131Y) would be removed (the pre-2024 framework from Chapter 123 of 2018 may be restored)
• The Firearm Licensing Review Board (Section 130B) would revert to its pre-Chapter 135 form
• The tiered storage penalties would revert to the prior flat penalty structure
• The prohibited areas provision in Chapter 269 Section 10(k) would be eliminated
• The expanded "machine gun" definition (covering bump stocks, trigger cranks) would revert

Timeline

• July 25, 2024: Chapter 135 signed into law
• October 2, 2024: Emergency preamble added, most provisions take effect
• 2024-2025: Signature gathering for veto referendum
• November 3, 2026: Referendum vote

Implications

The referendum creates significant uncertainty for compliance planning. Firearms owners, dealers, and law enforcement must continue to comply with Chapter 135 while it remains in effect, but should be aware that some or all provisions could be repealed on November 3, 2026. If the law is repealed, individuals who took actions to comply (such as serializing previously unserialized firearms or surrendering newly prohibited items) may face complex legal questions about restoring their prior status.

Campaign Activity

Both sides have organized active campaigns ahead of the November 3, 2026 vote.

Campaigns Supporting the Law (Vote YES):

The Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence is leading the effort to uphold Chapter 135. The "Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts" campaign argues that the law provides critical public safety tools, including ghost gun prohibitions and expanded Extreme Risk Protection Orders. The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts (LWVMA) has hosted volunteer forums and published voter education materials encouraging a YES vote.

Campaigns Supporting Repeal (Vote NO):

The Civil Rights Coalition, chaired by Toby Leary (co-owner of Cape Gun Works) and co-founded by John MaWhinney, led the signature-gathering effort. Over 800 volunteers collected more than 100,000 signatures in approximately 45 days. The coalition argues that gun rights are civil rights and frames the law as an overreach affecting law-abiding firearms owners.

Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL) has been active in promoting repeal. GOAL has also raised concerns about ballot question wording through a "Ballot Confusion" campaign, alleging that the framing of the referendum question is confusing and potentially misleading to voters. Under Massachusetts veto referendum rules, a "NO" vote repeals the law, which GOAL argues is counterintuitive for voters who want to reject what they view as restrictive legislation.