By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1773) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create the ability of police officers to demand FID, LTC or proof of exempt status. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
This bill repeals Massachusetts' red flag law framework by removing key provisions from state law. It eliminates sections of Chapter 135 (2024 Acts) related to firearm restrictions, including sections 76-85, and deletes corresponding sections (131R, 131S-Y) in Chapter 140 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The bill specifically removes definitions for "Petition," "Petitioner," and "Respondent" that governed the red flag process. This directly affects individuals who could have been subject to temporary firearm removal orders under the repealed law, as well as law enforcement handling such cases. The bill effectually ends the legal mechanism for emergency firearm removals in Massachusetts.
This Massachusetts bill (HD 1610) amends state law to increase penalties for possessing firearm suppressors (devices that muffle gun noise) under specific circumstances. It targets individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms, committing violent crimes/felons, or engaging in crimes of violence against family members while possessing suppressors, or selling controlled substances. The law defines "firearm suppressor" to align with federal law (18 USC 921(24)) and sets punishments of up to 10 years in state prison or 2.5 years in jail for violations. It directly affects gun owners or individuals with criminal records who possess these devices while violating other laws. The bill does not create new restrictions but modifies existing penalties for specific prohibited uses.
This bill makes it a crime to intentionally or recklessly discharge certain firearms - such as rifles, shotguns, machine guns, or large-capacity weapons - when there's a risk of serious injury to others. It directly affects individuals who fire these weapons without considering the danger to people nearby. The law imposes penalties of up to 5 years in state prison or 2.5 years in a house of correction for violating this provision. The key change is creating a specific criminal offense for reckless firearm discharges that create a "substantial risk" of serious harm.
This bill (HD 1622) increases criminal penalties for illegal firearm sales and possession under Massachusetts law. It raises maximum prison terms, including changing some sentences from "fifteen years" to "life imprisonment" and adding new minimum sentences of "not less than 3 nor more than 10 years" for certain offenses. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of violating firearm laws in Massachusetts. Key changes include raising maximum penalties from 5, 7, 10, and 15 years to 20 years or life, and modifying fine provisions. These are specific sentencing adjustments without new regulatory requirements.
This bill (HD 3287) amends Massachusetts wiretap laws to expand law enforcement's ability to use electronic surveillance in violent crime investigations. It updates definitions to include "designated violent offense" (covering specific violent crimes like assault with firearms under Chapter 265) and removes the requirement for police to prove a crime was committed by an "organized group" when seeking surveillance warrants for violent acts. The bill also broadens the scope of covered offenses to include firearm-related violence and updates references to "designated violent offense" throughout the law. These changes directly affect law enforcement officials seeking court orders for electronic surveillance in investigations of violent crimes.
This bill (SD 1308) requires courts to detain individuals who violate release conditions by committing specific firearm or violent offenses. It applies to people already charged with violent crimes (defined under Mass. law) or firearm offenses, who were released after certain hearings but then commit a new offense involving a firearm, rifle, shotgun, machinegun, or assault weapon, or commit a violent crime while on release. Judicial officers must order detention after a hearing using "clear and convincing evidence" of the violation. Detention cannot exceed 120 days in district court or 180 days in superior court without justification. The law aims to quickly address community safety risks posed by repeat offenders violating release terms.
By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1282) of John C. Velis and Adam Gomez for legislation relative to repeat violent firearm offenders. The Judiciary.
This bill (HD 294) imposes stricter penalties for individuals convicted of both opioid/heroin trafficking and firearm trafficking. It mandates a potential life sentence in state prison plus a $500,000 fine for those found guilty of both offenses under specified sections of Massachusetts law. The bill also prohibits prosecutors from dismissing or delaying such cases and bars convicted individuals from early release options like furlough or sentence reductions for good behavior. This directly affects people convicted of combined drug and firearm trafficking, creating a mandatory maximum penalty with no leniency for good conduct.
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1837) of David Paul Linsky relative to increasing penalties for the illegal sale and possession of firearms. The Judiciary.
