Amy on the Issues

Massachusetts is a leader in gun violence prevention, with the lowest rate of gun deaths in the nation. Even so, the state must continue to combat the gun violence epidemic facing our communities. The passage of An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws (H.4885), recently signed into law by Governor Maura T. Healey, is a huge victory to make Massachusetts even safer. The law marks the first major piece of gun violence prevention legislation passed since 2014. Among other actions, it cracks down on homemade ghost guns and 3D printed guns, strengthens the state’s already existing Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) statute (also known as the Red Flag Law), and enhances public safety and violence prevention. As Senate Majority Leader Cynthia S. Creem said, “It provides the tools needed to better protect our residents from the epidemic of gun violence and to prevent future tragedies.” I am very proud of Senator Creem’s and others’ dedicated efforts in getting this comprehensive and lifesaving gun safety legislation signed into law.

However, more still needs to be done to further gun violence prevention. I support the following:

• Waiting Periods: Only six states and the District of Columbia impose waiting periods on the purchase of all firearms. Waiting period laws require a certain number of days to elapse between the buying and possession of a firearm, and can help prevent acts of gun violence driven by impulse or temporary emotions. As of December 31, 2023, Massachusetts has no law imposing a waiting period between the time of purchase and the actual physical transfer of a firearm.

• Firearm Microstamping and Ballistic Identification: Only two states - California and New York - have laws regarding microstamping or ballistic identification. While microstamping technology is still developing, it is a way to help reduce gun violence and improve the solve rate of gun-related crimes. Each time a firearm is discharged, microstamping technology marks bullets and cartridge cases with a unique fingerprint, allowing for law enforcement to identify the gun used in the crime. The latest gun legislation signed into law establishes a commission to study the status and feasibility of utilizing microstamping and other firearm technology. I support this and other efforts to add microstamping and ballistic identification to our slate of gun violence prevention tools.

• Restricting the sales or purchases of multiple firearms: Restricting the bulk purchases of firearms within a certain timeframe has been shown to help reduce the number of guns in the secondary market and reduce gun trafficking. Only a handful of communities limit the number of guns that can be purchased within a 30-day period: California, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York. Massachusetts should consider similar restrictions.