Chapter 135 Repeal Bills: Two House Bills Seek to Undo Massachusetts' 2024 Gun Reform Law

What the Bills Would Do

Two bills filed in the Massachusetts House seek to roll back Chapter 135, the comprehensive firearms reform law signed in 2024:

• H2618 — "Repealing the misguided, unnecessary, and largely unconstitutional firearms law of 2024." This bill takes a maximalist approach, seeking full repeal of Chapter 135^[1].
• H2716 — "To repeal expanded firearms bans." This bill targets the specific provisions of Chapter 135 that expanded the state's assault weapons ban and large-capacity magazine restrictions^[3].

Chapter 135 was one of the most significant firearms laws enacted in Massachusetts in decades. It expanded the state's assault weapons ban, tightened licensing requirements, strengthened red flag law procedures, imposed new secure storage mandates, and created additional prohibited person categories. Opponents filed a ballot question (Question 12) to repeal it via referendum in November 2026, and these legislative repeal bills represent a parallel track.

Current Status

Both H2618 and H2716 had hearings rescheduled to October 31, 2025, before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security^[2][4]. The hearing took place in Gardner Auditorium — the legislature's largest hearing room — indicating significant public interest. No further committee action has been reported on either bill.

What to Watch

These legislative repeal efforts face long odds in a legislature that passed Chapter 135 by wide margins. Their practical significance lies in keeping the repeal debate alive and on the record while the ballot question campaign proceeds separately. If Question 12 qualifies for the November 2026 ballot (which it has), the legislature could theoretically preempt it by repealing Chapter 135 itself — but that scenario is highly unlikely given the political dynamics. Watch for whether the committee takes any action before the ballot question date, as legislative inaction effectively defers the question to voters.