Legislative updates, court decisions, and regulatory changes affecting Massachusetts firearms law.
Senate Bill 1688 would exempt retired law enforcement officers who hold a valid federal LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act) Qualification Card from standard civilian firearm purchase restrictions in Massachusetts.
Senate Bill 397 would promote safe firearm storage education and student well-being by integrating storage safety awareness into school programming. The bill passed committee favorably and has been referred to Senate Ways and Means.
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.
The Massachusetts SJC heard oral arguments in March 2026 on whether the age-21 LTC requirement violates the Second Amendment under Bruen.
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.
On August 22, 2025, the NRA, GOAL, Pioneer Valley Arms, and four individual plaintiffs filed suit challenging the Massachusetts assault-style firearms ban enacted by Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
An analysis of how the Supreme Court's Bruen decision has affected Massachusetts firearms licensing in practice, including the legislature's response in Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 and the ongoing litigation landscape.
In April 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction against the Massachusetts assault weapons ban in Capen v. Campbell. The case remains pending for full adjudication. The plaintiffs have petitioned for Supreme Court review.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has published the updated Approved Handgun Roster (formerly Approved Firearms Roster). The roster remains subject to a constitutional challenge in Granata v. Campbell.