Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has invoked emergency powers to accelerate the implementation of a controversial gun control law, H.4885, initially set to take effect on October 23, 2024. The decision, made public on October 2, enables the law to become effective immediately, a move that has ignited intense debate from both gun control advocates and gun rights supporters.
The bill, passed earlier in the year, introduces significant changes to Massachusetts’ already stringent firearm regulations. It bans untraceable "ghost guns," expands restrictions on assault-style firearms, and tightens the state’s "red flag" laws, which allow authorities to confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. Additionally, it mandates that applicants for firearm licenses undergo live-fire training and pass a standardized safety exam. Governor Healey justified the use of emergency powers by arguing that the immediate preservation of public safety necessitated the expedited enactment.
38,000 gun deaths a year . . . GOP opposes gun control laws.
2 cases of voter fraud a year . . . GOP passes 361 new voter suppression laws.
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— Steve Rustad (@SteveRustad1) October 4, 2024
Healey's decision to fast-track the law has been met with praise from gun control groups, who argue that the bill will help reduce gun violence. Proponents, including Healey herself, emphasize the need to address the rising threat posed by untraceable firearms and ghost guns, which have become a significant public safety concern. “This law is crucial to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands, and it’s imperative that these protections take effect now,” Healey said.
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from gun rights advocates. Toby Leary, a prominent figure in the gun rights community and owner of Cape Gun Works, described the governor’s actions as a direct affront to democracy. Leary and others had been working to gather signatures for a referendum that could potentially delay the law’s implementation until 2026. According to Leary, Healey's emergency powers have silenced the voices of thousands of citizens who wanted to challenge the law via the democratic process.
🚨 NEW: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, one of the nation's most extreme anti-gun politicians, has forced H. 4885 into law.
The NRA will be launching a challenge to restore the rights guaranteed to Bay Staters by the U.S. Constitution.https://t.co/GTmfHuGsTG pic.twitter.com/7wlDKTPqhu
— NRA (@NRA) October 2, 2024
The law’s opponents argue that it could lead to unintended consequences, particularly for gun owners and retailers. Leary and other critics claim that the law could put as many as 400 firearm stores out of business, while also turning thousands of lawful gun owners into criminals overnight. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and local gun rights organizations have vowed to challenge the law in court, with potential lawsuits focusing on the constitutionality of the emergency powers and the law’s broader implications.
One of the key points of contention is the expansion of the state's "red flag" law, which allows family members, law enforcement, and now healthcare providers to request that a court temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. Opponents argue that this infringes upon Second Amendment rights, potentially disarming individuals based on subjective criteria. Supporters, however, argue that the provision is critical for preventing tragedies and protecting public safety.
The legislation also targets the proliferation of 3D-printed guns and ghost guns, requiring all firearms manufactured or assembled in the state to be serialized and registered. The law imposes new penalties for those involved in the sale or creation of untraceable firearms, with violators facing up to 1.5 years in prison.
Massachusetts has long been a leader in gun control, and this new law further cements its status as one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to firearms regulation. Supporters of the bill, including Senate President Karen Spilka and Public Safety Secretary Terrence Reidy, lauded the move as essential to maintaining the state's reputation for public safety and gun violence prevention.
