Massachusetts 2026 Session Firearms Bills to Watch: Reporting, Records, Storage, and More

Firearm Reporting and Records

• H2589 — Would require licensed gun owners to submit a yearly affidavit confirming they still possess their registered firearms. This would create an annual check-in requirement beyond the existing license renewal cycle under Chapter 140^[1].
• H2598 — Would improve the accuracy of state firearms records, addressing known data quality issues in the Massachusetts Firearms Records Bureau database^[3].
• H2684 — Would amend procedures for the return of firearms that have been confiscated or held by law enforcement, establishing clearer timelines and processes^[5].

Voluntary Programs and Self-Regulation

• H2592 — Would authorize a voluntary disavowal of firearm purchasing eligibility, allowing individuals to proactively add themselves to a prohibited persons list during a mental health crisis^[7].
• H2695 — Would create a voluntary do-not-sell list, similar to gambling self-exclusion programs, allowing individuals to preemptively bar themselves from firearm purchases^[9].

Law Enforcement and Military Programs

• H2597 — Would amend the definition of "law enforcement officers" as it pertains to firearms possession, potentially affecting which officers can carry off-duty or in retirement^[11].
• H2640 — Would address Massachusetts' relationship with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), the federally chartered program that sells surplus military firearms to qualified civilians. Massachusetts currently restricts CMP sales that are legal under federal law^[13].

Tax and Financial Measures

• H3082 — Would establish an excise tax on the sale of guns and ammunition in Massachusetts, with revenue directed to violence prevention programs. The committee reporting date has been extended to March 18, 2026^[15].
• H3203 — Would create a tax deduction for the purchase of gun safes, incentivizing secure storage. The committee reporting date has been extended to March 18, 2026^[17].
• H548 — A companion to S397, this bill promotes safe firearm storage education. Its committee reporting date has also been extended to March 18, 2026^[19].

Current Status

The hearing-stage bills (H2589, H2592, H2594, H2597, H2598, H2640, H2684, H2695) all had hearings rescheduled to October 31, 2025^{[2][8][12][4][14][6][10]}. The financial bills (H3082, H3203, H548) had their reporting dates extended to March 18, 2026^[16][18][20]. That reporting deadline has passed; check LegiScan for the current committee status of each bill.

What to Watch

The voluntary self-exclusion bills (H2592, H2695) represent an emerging trend in firearms policy — enabling individuals to proactively limit their own access during vulnerable periods. These have potential bipartisan appeal. The tax measures (H3082, H3203) face an interesting dynamic: H3082 (excise tax on guns) would increase costs for buyers, while H3203 (safe storage deduction) would decrease them. Whether they advance together or separately could define the session's fiscal approach to firearms policy. The March 18, 2026 reporting deadline for those three bills has passed; their current committee disposition should be checked against LegiScan.