WORCESTER—In a recent legislative move, the Massachusetts Senate passed a comprehensive bill reforming the state’s gun laws. The bill, which garnered approval with a 37-3 vote on Thursday, Feb. 1, addresses a variety of issues surrounding firearms regulation.
These issues include the restriction of untraceable ghost guns, the prohibition of firearms in government administrative buildings, the incorporation of certain mental health hospitalization records into firearm licensing procedures, and the expansion of the criteria for court petitions to remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.
According to a report published by Worcester District Medical Society, “Gun Violence: Approaches to an Endemic Problem in American Society,” the city of Worcester had a gun violence rate of 3.91 people per 100,000 between 2017 and 2020, slightly higher than the average rate in Massachusetts (3.71) in 2020. However, the rate of gun violence in Worcester was significantly lower than the national rate in 2020 (13.28).
Despite the low gun violence rates in Worcester and statewide, many lawmakers have agreed there is still work to do to ensure public safety, while also respecting the right to bear arms.
“I am glad the Senate has engrossed its own proposed version of the gun reform bill so we may continue working towards addressing gun violence prevention in the Commonwealth,” said John Mahoney (D), state representative for Worcester’s 13th district. “I was proud to vote alongside my colleagues last year on the House proposal of this legislation and look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to advance common-sense gun reform while respecting the rights of law-abiding firearm owners.”
The legislative action by the Senate sets the stage for negotiations with the House, promising the development of a major law anticipated to be finalized in the coming months. This legislative effort represents Massachusetts’ commitment to addressing gun violence while balancing Second Amendment rights, as emphasized by Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem, the bill’s sponsor.
One of the bill’s key components is the crackdown on ghost guns by mandating the serialization of gun parts and restricting the manufacture of firearms using 3D printers without a license. Additionally, the bill aims to strengthen the state’s ban on assault weapons, introduce measures against modifications that convert semi-automatic firearms into automatic weapons, enforce annual inspections of gun dealers, and empower healthcare professionals to request temporary firearm removal from individuals posing a threat to themselves or others.
“I think this bill will do a good job of addressing some of the mental health issues and take away someone’s gun if they’re deemed dangerous,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty. “We have one of the lowest gun rates in the state, but this will be helpful going forward. We need to find a good balance between safety and the right to bear arms.”
Michael Moore, state senator of Worcester’s 13th district emphasized how effectively he feels Massachusetts has dealt with the gun control issue.
“The Commonwealth has long been a nationwide model for effective gun safety legislation,” said Moore, “and I credit that largely to our focus on illegal firearms and criminals rather than on law-abiding gun owners.”
The passing of this bill comes amidst concerns over gun violence in Massachusetts, including Worcester, which has seen varying rates of gun-related incidents and a community eager for change.
When asked his thoughts on the job that Massachusetts has done in addressing the gun control issue, Mahoney, said: “Massachusetts has done an exceptional job in addressing gun control as it relates to the national epidemic of gun violence we are faced with – but we still must do more.”
Mahoney also emphasized that Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country, adding, “This is largely due to the progress our state has already made with its strong gun safety laws. However, communities are still being harmed by the ongoing threat of gun violence and the needless loss of innocent lives. Worcester is no exception to this reality, which is why it’s imperative that Massachusetts continues to lead on this issue and push for more comprehensive policies.”
As the bill moves to the next phase of negotiations between the House and Senate, proponents of the bill maintain it reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling gun violence through legislative reform, aiming to further secure Massachusetts as a state with one of the lowest gun violence rates in the nation.
Matt Olszewski is a freelance content and news writer based in Boston, MA. In his free time, Matt enjoys running, hiking or skiing. Matt is currently finishing up the MPH degree program at Tufts University. He can be reached at mattoskier@gmail.com
