The swift passage of Massachusetts’ latest gun control law, declared an emergency measure, sends shockwaves across the state as challenges mount to confront what many see as an overreach of power.
At a Glance
- Governor Healey used executive power to enforce an emergency gun law, bypassing traditional democratic processes and stirring significant opposition.
- The new law bans ghost guns, restricts semiautomatic weapons for young adults, and expands “red flag” laws, leading to a flurry of lawsuits.
- Critics argue the law infringes on constitutional rights, triggering legal action spearheaded by the NRA and others.
- The rushed implementation has faced backlash for perceived procedural flaws and unclear guidance for enforcement.
Governor Healey’s Executive Move
Governor Maura Healey called upon her executive authority to expedite the enactment of a comprehensive gun control law – a measure that gun owners are rightly angered by.
By categorizing the so-called “gun crisis” as an emergency, Healey circumvented the standard 90-day window, catching gun rights groups off guard. This strategic move stifled their efforts to amass over 65,000 signatures to suspend the law and facilitated its immediate implementation. However, this approach has been labeled as an affront to democratic processes by Republicans and Second Amendment advocates. Because it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIjd6AN8H1I
Supporters of the governor have claimed that the decision is a necessary step in curbing gun violence, believing the urgency of the situation merited such an act. Detractors, however, are concerned that this sets a dangerous precedent for pushing controversial legislation without adequate public input. Criticism has chiefly emerged from individuals and groups who believe this action stifles the democratic voices of the populace, essentially by sidestepping a voter referendum previously set for 2026.
https://twitter.com/EdMarkey/status/1533860001915277313
Key Features of the Law
The recently passed law includes numerous contentious provisions.
First of all, it criminalizes ghost guns.
It also implements bans on semiautomatic rifles for those under 21, and broadens the scope of Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Additionally, the law prohibits firearms in schools, polling places, and in government facilities, aligning with an expanded definition of assault weapons. While supporters praise these measures as essential for public safety, opponents challenge them as infringements on individual rights.
So schools, where children need to be kept safe, will be at risk as teachers and other responsible adults will not be allowed to be armed.
These comprehensive restrictions extend Massachusetts’ already strict gun laws, reflecting a robust legislative reaction to past court rulings like the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision in 2022. Massachusetts’ law also insists on a new level of regulation, addressing bump stocks and trigger cranks previously affected by federal restrictions. The NRA and like-minded organizations anticipate leading the charge against these new regulations, preparing for battles that focus on safeguarding individual liberties.
But with so many laws and rules already in place, it’s hard to know where the NRA and other pro-2A groups should start.
How much clearer did the Founding Fathers need to be on this topic?
