Senate Lawmakers Introduce Comprehensive Legislation to Address Gun Violence in Massachusetts; Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Respond

BOSTON, MA – Today, the Massachusetts chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement commending Senate President Karen Spilka for introducing a comprehensive gun violence prevention bill (S.2572) that will modernize and strengthen existing laws. The bill includes provisions to prevent gun violence in Massachusetts, such as the expansion of Extreme Risk Protection Orders to include healthcare providers and prohibitions on ghost guns, Glock switches, firearms in some government administrative buildings, firearm marketing to minors, and more. The introduction of this legislation comes after the House passed H.4135 at the end of last year to address many of these same gaps in current firearm laws; both bills also explore additional innovative gun safety technologies. 

“The introduction of the Senate bill brings us one step closer to enacting these critical gun violence prevention laws in Massachusetts and making our communities even safer,” said Mona Hochberg, a volunteer with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Massachusetts already has the lowest rate of gun deaths in the country, and our gun sense lawmakers are working hard so that we remain a national leader in preventing the spread of gun violence. With both the House and the Senate taking initiative on these life-saving measures, we are hopeful that they will come together to enact them into law.” 

In addition to expanding the provisions above, the Senate omnibus bill will also address the importance and value that community violence intervention programs can provide in the fight against gun violence. S.2572 would establish a commission to study the funding structure for violence prevention services and a pilot program to promote equity in access to gun safety awareness and firearm licensing education through community outreach. 

S.2572 was introduced in the Senate this year after the House Democrats passed an even further-reaching bill (H.4135) at the end of last year, which included many of the same provisions meant to address emerging threats to gun safety. The House bill also increased training requirements for those seeking a License to Carry, and expanded the prohibition on guns in sensitive places to include schools, polling places, bars, and daycares in response to the 2022 Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, that allowed more people to carry guns in public in Massachusetts.

In an average year in Massachusetts, 255 people die by guns and 557 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Massachusetts $3.5 billion each year, of which $85.4 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Massachusetts is available here.

To speak to a Massachusetts volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please don’t hesitate to reach out.