Legislative updates, court decisions, and regulatory changes affecting Massachusetts firearms law.
House Bill 2733 would require a comprehensive audit of how Massachusetts allocates and spends gun violence prevention and intervention funding. The bill passed committee favorably and has been referred to House Ways and Means.
House Bill 2672 would create legal avenues for gun violence victims to hold the firearm industry accountable, potentially allowing lawsuits against manufacturers and dealers. The bill passed committee favorably and has been referred to House Ways and Means.
House Bill 2590 would make firearm owners civilly liable for damage caused by their lost or stolen firearms. The bill has been placed in the Orders of the Day for a second reading, signaling strong committee support.
House Bill 2621 would establish mandatory "Critical Incident Leave" for law enforcement officers involved in firearm discharge incidents. The bill has passed second reading and been ordered to a third reading — the furthest any firearms-related bill has advanced this session.
A veto referendum on Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 has qualified for the November 3, 2026 ballot. A YES vote would keep the law. A NO vote would repeal Chapter 135 and restore the prior versions of all amended statutes.
Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024, originally filed as HD 4420, is the most significant overhaul of Massachusetts firearms law in over two decades. Signed on July 25, 2024 and effective October 2, 2024, it introduces new definitions, expands prohibitions, narrows the FID, expands the ERPO framework, bans untraceable firearms (ghost guns), and faces a 2026 ballot referendum.
Signed by Governor Deval Patrick on August 13, 2014, Chapter 284 eliminated the Class B LTC, reformed the suitability standard with new procedural protections, established a 90-day renewal grace period, and expanded junior shooter provisions. It was the most significant reform prior to Chapter 135.
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