The Massachusetts chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of the Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement responding to the Massachusetts legislature ending this year’s legislative session. During this session, gun sense lawmakers approved a state budget, including a historic $94 million in gun violence prevention funding, as well as passing legislation that would begin to address the Supreme Court’s dangerous decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, which endangered a portion of Massachusetts’ concealed carry permitting process that has helped to keep Bay Staters safe for decades. The legislature, however, did not take up a comprehensive package of gun safety bills to strengthen the Commonwealth’s permitting system, keep guns out of sensitive places, and prohibit ghost guns, this session. House and Senate leaders announced that they would make passing this gun safety package a priority during next year’s session. Massachusetts volunteers sent thousands of emails in support of gun safety measures, including over 1,600 in support of a gun safety package.
“This session helped reaffirm Massachusetts’ status as a leader in the fight against gun violence, and while progress was made, there are still promises for the legislature to keep in order to make our communities safer,” said Rina Schneur, a volunteer leader with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Speaker Mariano, President Spilka, and other gun sense lawmakers must take action on a comprehensive gun safety bill package at the start of next year’s session and address gun violence in our Commonwealth. We are grateful for the action they have taken to help end gun violence in Massachusetts — including a historic investment in gun violence prevention — and we look forward to working in partnership to make this bill package a top priority next session.”
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.