Massachusetts Court Upholds Strict Gun Laws for Non-Residents

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that while the state can impose strict licensing requirements for nonresidents carrying firearms, it must do so under objective standards that do not allow arbitrary discretion. This decision arose from two cases involving New Hampshire residents charged with unlawful possession of firearms in Massachusetts, highlighting the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision, which found that discretionary licensing schemes are unconstitutional. The court upheld the dismissal of charges against one resident, as the state's old licensing law was deemed unconstitutional prior to its amendments. Conversely, it upheld charges against another resident, as the offense occurred after Massachusetts updated its laws to comply with Bruen, establishing that the current licensing scheme aligns with Second Amendment rights. These rulings maintain Massachusetts' authority to regulate firearm possession by out-of-state visitors, which has drawn both support and criticism amid ongoing debates over gun rights and public safety. The decisions signal a complex legal landscape as states navigate firearm regulations in light of federal rulings.