Both S.1322 and S.1316 seek to challenge the gun ban set forth last summer by Attorney General Healey’s “enforcement notice,” which greatly expands the Commonwealth’s definition of “assault weapon.” AG Healey alleges that the state’s definition of “copy” or “duplicate” “assault weapons” has been misinterpreted for the last 18 years and she is simply the first law enforcement official to discover this incorrect interpretation. In response, several legislators wrote a letter to AG Healey voicing their strong opposition. S.1322 and S.1316 take their opposition a step further by challenging AG Healey’s unilateral decision making through legislation. Both of these bills are currently pending in the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
It is imperative that you contact both your state Representative and state Senator and tell them that it’s time to act on these important bills. Urge them to SUPPORT both S.1322 and S.1316!
S.1322, sponsored by state Senator Don Humason (R- Second Hampden and Hampshire), would remove the Attorney General’s authority to regulate firearms and would repeal the previous regulations.
S.1316, sponsored by state Senator Anne Gobi (D- Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex), would eliminate the term “copy” from statute, thereby, eliminating the premise behind the Attorney General’s actions.
Again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state legislators in support of these bills! Also, stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on these bills.