Massachusetts Gun Law Faces Lawsuits and Referendum

A coalition in Massachusetts has met the threshold to put a new gun law to a voter referendum in 2026, challenging recent legislation that restricts firearms in schools, requires new training for licenses, and cracks down on ghost guns. Concurrently, a Bellingham gun shop and others have filed federal lawsuits claiming the law, which updates the definition of assault-style firearms, violates the Second Amendment and federal protections, potentially impacting up to 70% of the shop's business. Plaintiffs argue these firearms are allowed under federal law since a ban expired in 2004, making the state law unconstitutional. The law mandates a 'firearms safety certificate' with live-fire training, criticized as unfeasible due to the current absence of such courses, leading to a delayed implementation until April 2026. These legal actions highlight the ongoing debate over balancing public safety and gun rights in Massachusetts.