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how the ballot question works, what a YES and NO vote means, who is on each side, and what happens if the law is repealed.
Legislation
Who: All Massachusetts voters and firearms ownersAction: Comply with Chapter 135 as currently written. The law stays in effect unless voters reject it at the 2026 state election, and a repeal would take effect 30 days after that election.●Reviewed Oct 20, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: Hunters taking birds or mammals in Massachusetts and wildlife officials administering the proposed requirements●Reviewed Oct 21, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: Firearm owners, license holders, dealers, taxpayers, and law enforcement personnel across Massachusetts●Reviewed Oct 21, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: Firearm owners, collectors, dealers, and anyone affected by weapons classification under Massachusetts law●Reviewed Oct 21, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: License to Carry (LTC) applicants, firearm dealers, handgun buyers, and local licensing authorities●Reviewed Oct 21, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: Licensed firearm owners, prospective gun buyers, and civil liberties advocates in Massachusetts●Reviewed Oct 16, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: All firearm owners, dealers, and license holders in Massachusetts affected by the 2024 Chapter 135 reforms●Reviewed Oct 13, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: Individuals with prior violent firearm convictions, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the criminal justice system●Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: Private campus law enforcement officers at Massachusetts colleges and universities●Reviewed Oct 13, 2026
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.
Legislation
Who: Antique firearm collectors, dealers in antique weapons, law enforcement officers, and museums with firearms collections●Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Senate Bill 1688 would exempt retired law enforcement officers who hold a valid federal LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act) Qualification Card from the firearm purchase limitations set forth in the Massachusetts approved firearms roster.
Legislation
Who: Retired law enforcement officers with valid LEOSA certification seeking to purchase firearms in Massachusetts●Reviewed Oct 13, 2026
Senate Bill 397 would require state model safe-storage information and annual school-district distribution to families, guardians, and staff. The filed bill requires notices and online access, not classroom curriculum.
Legislation
Who: Public school students, parents, school administrators, and educators across Massachusetts●Reviewed Aug 25, 2026