Gov. Healey signs new Mass. gun law, cracking down on ‘ghost guns’

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed major gun safety legislation this week, bringing a range of protections to the Bay State.

House bill 4885, or an act “modernizing firearms laws” aims for a wide-ranging approach to gun safety, with everything from red flag laws to 3D printing.

“There’s no one solution to gun violence, so when we talk about it at the coalition is we remove the needle on this issue through policy change, sustained investment in community-based solutions, and making sure we are listening to data and research,” said CEO of Massachusetts Coalition to End Gun Violence, Ruth Zakarin.

The main pulls include enhancing red flag laws in the bay state to try and keep guns from falling into dangerous hands.

And cracking down on ghost guns, requiring all firearms to be serialized and registered while also prohibiting unlicensed individuals from using 3D printers to manufacture firearms.

“A state is only as safe as the gun laws in the neighboring states. So we’re impacted when other New England states and other places in the country have weak gun laws. And so if Massachusetts can be an example of leadership, which I think it has been and continues to be with the passage of this law, then we can show other states what it looks like to have this comprehensive approach,” said Zakarin.

The legislation went into effect upon signing.

Gun advocates like the National Rifle Association have come out in opposition to the law, saying they plan to challenge it in court.

“I mean I don’t think there’s one good part about the bill. At least you know from the major things that we’re seeing. I mean, my phone’s been ringing off the hook from NRA members to non-NRA members, people who own firearms from hunters to women from domestic assault who have bought firearms to protect themselves, now have no idea what’s up next for them,” said NRA State Director for MA, Justin Davis.