Massachusetts Senate Advances Comprehensive Gun Control Bill

Democrat-controlled Senate votes overwhelmingly to tighten gun laws, expand red flag laws, regulate marketing of guns, and clamp down on ‘ghost guns.’

Massachusestts State Police troopers gather at the intersection of Kelton St. and Camp Collier Road in Gardner, Mass., on Oct. 24, 2023. Rick Cinclair/Worcester Telegram & Gazette via AP

The Massachusetts legislature is closer to bulking up the state’s already stringent gun laws by passing S.2572, the act to “Sensibly Address Firearms Violence Through Effective Reform,” the SAFER Act. This bill contains most of the gun control movement’s top priorities.

Members of the state Senate’s Republican minority say they agree with most of the SAFER Act, but expressed concern that there were no public hearings on the proposed legislation before Thursday’s debate.