Voters Keep the 2024 Gun Law. The Fight Now Moves to Federal Court

Massachusetts voters approved Question 9, keeping the state's 2024 firearms law in place and rejecting a repeal effort by gun rights advocates, WBUR reported, citing the Associated Press.

Gov. Maura Healey called the law the state's "most significant gun safety legislation in a decade" when she signed it two years ago. A deadline for all Massachusetts gun owners to register their firearms with the state passed last week, WBUR reported.

Additional reporting

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ShareQuestion 9 on a mail-in ballot for the 2026 Massachusetts election. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)A 2024 Massachusetts law tightening firearm regulations will stay in place. Voters approved Question 9, according to the Associated Press, rejecting a repeal effort from gun rights advocates. Gov. Maura Healey called the law the state’s "most significant gun safety legislation in a decade" when she signed it two years ago.

The law, which has gone into effect over the past two years, added or updated a suite of regulations on firearm licensing, training and data collection requirements. A deadline passed just last week for all Massachusetts gun owners to register their firearms with the state.

Along with the registration requirement, the law banned guns from polling places and made it a crime to carry weapons inside government buildings. It added healthcare workers and school administrators to list of people who can petition courts under “red flag laws” to have firearms confiscated from those who are considered a threat to themselves or others.

The law also broadened the definition of “assault-style firearm,” and added regulations to products that can make semi-automatic weapons work like automatic ones. The law is the state's first effort to crack down on so-called “ghost guns” — untraceable, homemade firearms built from 3D printouts or kits. Those guns now require a serial number.

It also required new material in firearm safety courses for anyone applying for a gun permit, including live-fire training, along with instruction on safe storage and suicide prevention. Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of gun deaths in the country, and some of the tightest regulations. Supporters of keeping the law argued it keeps Bay Staters safe — from themselves and others. In 2024, more than half of all deaths attributed to firearms were from suicide, according to the CDC.

The “yes” campaign was backed by Healey, along with state and federal lawmakers and a series of labor unions. Gun rights advocates used a signature campaign to get the repeal measure on the ballot this year. They argued the law is confusing, damages hunting traditions and it puts an undue burden of enforcement on local police departments. The “no” campaign was supported by gun rights groups, a number of firearms stores, firing ranges and local gun clubs.

All of the law’s regulations remain in effect following voters' approval. However, gun rights advocates have also challenged the law in court, saying it violates their Second Amendment right to bear arms. The lawsuits are ongoing, and the courts could return a different decision than the voters.

What stays in effect

The law bans guns from polling places and makes it a crime to carry weapons inside government buildings, according to WBUR. It adds health care workers and school administrators to those who can petition courts under red flag laws. It broadens the definition of "assault-style firearm," regulates devices that make semi-automatic weapons fire like automatic ones, and requires serial numbers on so-called ghost guns built from kits or 3D-printed parts. Permit applicants must now complete live-fire training and instruction on safe storage and suicide prevention.

"This victory belongs to the people of Massachusetts," said Ruth Zakarin, chair of Yes on 9 for a Safe Massachusetts.

The opposition

Gun rights advocates gathered signatures to put the repeal on the ballot. They argued the law is confusing, damages hunting traditions and burdens local police, WBUR reported. The no side was backed by gun rights groups, firearms stores, ranges and gun clubs.

Massachusetts has one of the lowest gun death rates in the country. In 2024, more than half of firearm deaths nationally were suicides, according to the CDC, as cited by WBUR.

Court challenges

The vote does not end the dispute. Gun rights advocates have sued, arguing the law violates the Second Amendment, and those cases are ongoing, WBUR reported. A court could rule differently than voters did.

What is still unknown

Final statewide vote totals and how many owners met last week's registration deadline were not reported.