VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Following Advocacy from Volunteers with Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Signs Historic Gun Safety Bill into Law 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements applauding Governor Maura Healey for signing an omnibus gun safety bill, H4885, into law. Today’s victory comes after gun safety advocates have called for the passage of this measure over the past two years. 

“For years, we’ve been on the frontlines, advocating for our lawmakers to enact this gun safety bill into law, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally see our hard work pay off as the Governor signs this critical legislation into law,” said Maxine Slattery, a volunteer with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. “From a prohibition on deadly ghost guns, to strengthening our state’s red flag law, and keeping firearms out polling places ahead of the 2024 elections, this bill included many common sense gun safety measures that will further strengthen our defenses against gun violence. We know there’s not one gun safety measure that will keep our communities safe, and that’s why we’re grateful to our lawmakers for getting this bill enacted into law and providing us with yet another tool to keep our communities safe.” 

“This victory is yet another example of Massachusetts leading on gun safety, and we’re grateful to our lawmakers and Governor Healey for making this possible,” said Sarah Bores, a volunteer leader with the Boston University Students Demand Action chapter. “We’ve seen the impact that strong gun safety laws have on our communities – fewer lives are lost to gun violence. With these measures enacted into law today, we look forward to seeing our communities become even safer.” 

Governor Healey signed H4885 into law a week after it was passed through both chambers of the legislature, with common sense and lifesaving provisions including: 

• Raising the age to own a semi-automatic rifle or shotgun to 21; 
• Expanding the definitions for modifications and parts that convert a semi-automatic firearm into an automatic firearm and banning them in the Commonwealth; 
• Prohibiting unserialized, untraceable “ghost guns”, which are often assembled from readily available components or using 3-D printing technology that can be acquired without a background check; 
• Prohibiting the carrying of all firearms in government buildings, polling places, and schools; 
• Updating the definition of assault-style weapons to expand the number of firearms that are prohibited under the existing ban; 
• Strengthening the existing “Red Flag Law” to enable school administrators, and licensed healthcare providers to petition the court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order in addition to family members and law enforcement; 
• Requiring standardized safety training, including a live fire component, for all firearm license applicants;
• Requiring firearms dealers to undergo training about their responsibilities, including security and employee hiring practices; 
• Establishing a commission to study the funding structure for violence prevention services and; 
• Establishing a commission to study the status, feasibility and utility of emerging firearm technology, such as smart guns and microstamping.

Massachusetts is a national leader in gun violence prevention with the 5th strongest gun safety laws in the country and sustained investment into community violence prevention programs. Massachusetts also has the lowest rate of gun deaths in the U.S. and one of the lowest rates of gun ownership in the country. 

In an average year in Massachusetts, 257 people die by guns and 648 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.