relative to repealing the prohibition on the possession or sale of blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles except by or to minors.
HB 1048 repeals the general prohibition on possessing or selling blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles for adults, while maintaining a ban on these items for people under 18. The bill specifically makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to carry these weapons and prohibits selling them to minors. This change allows adults to possess and sell these weapons to other adults, but continues to prohibit minors from having them or being sold to them. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Nov 7, 2025
Last action Mar 26, 2026
Floor votes · House Mar 5, 2026
How they voted
99–91
Passed · 32 other
Total votes 222
Mar 5, 2026
D
Democratic107
84% Nay
I
Independent2
50% Yea
R
Republican113
83% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Mar 5, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (99-91-32)
house
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA RC 192-154 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 45
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/18/2026 (Vote 7-5; RC) HC 9 P. 31
lower
Nov 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 4
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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