NEWSLETTERS

*UPDATED* Massachusetts Gun Violence Reduction & Prevention Model

Five years ago, we published a compelling analysis on the success of Massachusetts lowest gun deaths in the country.

“Massachusetts has proven that effective gun safety laws and reasonable regulations save lives and has shown that gun violence can be reduced without banning most guns or undue burden on responsible gun owners. We believe this is a model that can and should be replicated.”

Our report is updated and available to view online here.

*NEW* Firearms Data Dashboard

After YEARS of determined advocacy for the Crime Gun Data Analysis bill by Stop Handgun Violence and local partners, it was passed as part of the Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 — An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws.

The Massachusetts Firearms Data Dashboards provides aggregated and anonymized data to inform the public, support research, and help guide policy discussions. Examples of data dashboards are now online:

• Victim Demographics in Incidents Involving Firearms
• Firearm Incidents – Offender Demographic Data
• Firearm Incidents – Disposition Information by Offense Severity

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ADVOCATE. EDUCATE.

Stop Handgun Violence joined our coalition partners at the Massachusetts State House for a public hearing by the Joint Committee on Public Safety to support Firearm Industry Accountability bills.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Maine voters passes Question 2, enacting a Red-Flag Law (aka Extreme Risk Protective Order. Congrats to our partner, Maine Gun Safety Coalition!
• The Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones’ appeal of $1.4 billion Sandy Hook judgement.
• When the government opens and the Congressional House returns to session, a vote on Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act H.R. 38 (CCR) may happen.

The heart of the gun violence prevention movement has always been strongest in the states. Here in Massachusetts, we’re proud to repeatedly achieve the nation’s lowest gun death rate. At Stop Handgun Violence, we remain committed to building on this success by championing common-sense gun safety legislation with our priority bills currently moving through our state legislature.

Please give to support our work. Thank you!

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What happens when we sift through the noise of our national divide?

Facts emerge: The Utah Valley University shooter wasn’t transgender, wasn’t a Democrat, wasn’t an immigrant. He was simply what so many American shooters are—an unstable white man who had access to firearms. This pattern reveals our country’s true struggle with gun violence.

Reminder – Action at the State House:

Stop Handgun Violence will be at the State House this Thursday Sept. 18 at 10:30am with the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence for an informational literature drop to all legislators. Volunteer with us and advocate for MA bills S.1653/H.2672, An Act relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims.

Mighty Moment at the Mighty Squirrel

Thanks to all who attended our event and donated to support the gun violence prevention cause!

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Back to school, NOT back to bullets.

In light of the tragic mass school shooting in Minnesota, we are starkly reminded that gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens America. The thoughts and prayers offered by our congressional leaders only emphasize their failure to enact substantial national reforms.

Massachusetts boasts the lowest gun death rate in the country, and we remain committed to promoting effective gun safety laws. Join us for a literature drop on Industry Accountability at the state house on Thursday, September 18th and/or digital advocacy day on Monday, September 22nd. Click to register.

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Gun Industry accountability laws sets clear standards of responsibility for both firearm manufacturers and dealers.

These laws allow victims of gun violence to seek legal action, thus incentivizing the gun industry to implement safer practices that reduce illegal gun trafficking and violence. Nine states have gun industry accountability laws: California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. (source: Giffords)

Stop Handgun Violence is advocating for Massachusetts S.1653/H.2672, An Act relative to firearm industry accountability and gun violence victims; sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Creem and Rep. Frank A. Moran.

Stay tuned for upcoming advocacy action next month!

Research consistently indicates that stricter gun laws result in lower rates of gun violence and saved lives.

States with stronger gun safety laws, such as Massachusetts have significantly lower gun death rates compared to states with weaker laws. The 2026 veto-referendum attempts to repeal the MA 2024 gun safety law. 

MA 2024 Gun Safety Law Includes:

• Requires the registration and serialization of frames and receivers, plus updates the definition of firearm to include unfinished frames and receivers, aka untraceable ghost guns.
  Ghost guns recovered by federal law enforcement are soaring across the country. Boston Police Department saw a 280% rise in untraceable ghost guns it recovered between 2019-2021.
• Raises the age at which an individual can own a semi automatic rifle from 18 to 21 years.
  It’s constitutional. A federal judge recently ruled to uphold Colorado’s 2023 law that raised the age to 21 to purchase all firearms.
• Adds medical professionals and school administrators to the list of petitioners who may file an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) against a person who poses a risk to themselves or others.
  Research from 2018 demonstrated 13.7% firearm suicide reduction in CT due to the implementation of ERPO laws. CT was first in the nation with an ERPO law that included an expansive list of petitioners.
• Prohibits the carrying of firearms at polling places and early-voting sites with an exemption for law enforcement.
  Our national climate is increasingly polarized and safeguarding the operation of our basic democratic voting right is crucial.

VOTE YES FOR A SAFE MASSACHUSETTS!

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Gun violence remains as the leading cause of death for children in the U.S.

States with loose gun control laws bear the heaviest burden.

• The new study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, compared gun deaths in U.S. states before and after the landmark 2010 Supreme Court decision limiting states’ ability to regulate gun access, and many states loosened firearm ownership requirements after the ruling. Read Scientific America’s report and visual analysis here.
• Recent data is showing the rise of school shootings beginning to reverse…And while the number of incidents has decreased, the number of victims remains high. Read more here.

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In the News:

• A gunman fatally shot MN House Speaker Hortman and her husband while also injuring State Senator Hoffman and his wife on Saturday morning. MN Governor Walz described this incident as a politically motivated assassination. The suspect was taken into custody Sunday night.
• Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a protestor at the No Kings Rally in Salt Lake City was shot and killed on Saturday. The suspect was arrested on the scene.

According to Reuters, these shootings occur during the longest stretch of political violence in the United States since the 1970s. The agency has recorded over 300 instances of politically motivated violence following the attack on the U.S. Capitol by President Trump’s supporters on January 6, 2021.

We do not yet know the motives of the MN assassin or UT shooter. But we do know the vitriol by the current administration does not help and certainly adds fuel to the hate. 

Peaceful & Joyful Protest at Boston Pride!

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June is Gun Violence Awareness Month

Firearms continues to be the #1 cause of death for children and teens in our country.

#WearOrange with Stop Handgun Violence to help highlight the tragic impact of gun violence in our communities and to support our mission to put an end to it!

• GrassRoots 4GVP #WearOrange at Woburn common Friday 6/6 at 10am.
• Grandmothers Against Gun Violence monthly rally at the Hyannis rotary on Saturday 6/14 at 11:30am.

We stand strong with the VOTE YES for a Safe Massachusetts initiative, focused on safeguarding the 2024 gun safety law from being repealed on the 2026 ballot. The Massachusetts Firearm Regulations Referendum is on the ballot in Massachusetts as a veto referendum on November 3, 2026.

An Act to Stop Mass Shootings, H.1650

Massachusetts law prohibits the sale, transfer or possession of assault style weapons and large capacity feeding devices with 10 or more rounds. Yet, companies located in the state can continue to manufacture, possess, transport and export assault weapons that are prohibited in the Commonwealth – contributing to gun violence, injuries and deaths in other states.

Since the federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004, the AR15 military style assault pistol and rifle have been used in high profile mass shootings across the country. Smith and Wesson and Savage Arms are the largest manufactures of firearms in Massachusetts. Though Smith and Wesson recently moved their AR15 manufacturing operations to Tennessee in 2023, Savage Arms continues to make and sell their AR15 rifle product line, the MSR15.

An Act to Stop Mass Shootings, H.1650 would prohibit these weapons from being manufactured in Massachusetts. The MA Joint Committee on the Judiciary is holding a hearing next week Tuesday May 6th, 1pm at the State House. We encourage our supporters to testify or submit testimony to support H.1650. For more info on your options to take action, click here.

Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban Remains State Law

The ruling from the First Circuit Court of Appeals states “Massachusetts Ban’s AR-15 restriction is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of the firearm regulation.”

Read MA Attorney General Campbell’s press statement here.

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Stop Conceal Carry Reciprocity!

Congressional House Bill H.R.38, Constitutional Conceal Carry Reciprocity (CCR) is on the move out of committee. Please contact your U.S. House Rep and ask them to VOTE NO on CCR.

• CCR would allow conceal carry in every state without training or background checks.
• CCR would result in higher rates of gun violence.
• CCR would undo Massachusetts conceal carry permitting law.

Contact your House Rep here.

Ghost Gun Regulations Upheld by SCOTUS

In a 7-2 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court justices REVERSED a lower court’s finding that the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had overstepped its authority with the 2022 rule regulating parts and kits used to create ghost guns.

Ghost guns are firearms that lack serial numbers and cannot be traced, allowing them to be easily assembled from components purchased without a background check. The number of ghost guns seized by federal law enforcement has significantly increased in recent years. Locally, the Boston Police Department reported a staggering 280% increase in untraceable ghost guns recovered from crime scenes between 2019 and 2021.

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State Rep. Gaskey (R-Carver) bill to allow persons 18 and older to apply for a Firearm Identification Card and a License to Carry Firearms would essentially repeal an existing Massachusetts law restricting firearm access for under 21.

What does the data say?

Numerous studies and research indicate that the prefrontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in mature decision-making, undergoes significant development until the age of 21. Furthermore, although individuals in the U.S. are legally recognized as adults at 18, their cognitive maturity typically aligns more closely with the age of 21. We anticipate an increase in gun injuries and fatalities if this law is reversed.

SHV strongly opposes HD.4389, an act to repeal the ban on handgun ownership for adults age 18 through 20.

SOUND BITE – If you wanted to make us safe, pass gun reforms, stop cutting medicaid, stop cutting cancer research, stop cutting funds for veterans. That is what will make our city safe.

~Boston Mayor Wu at March 5, 2025 Congressional Testimony

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President Trump issued an Executive Order idirecting the U.S. Attorney General to review all “orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments and agencies” to pinpoint any “ongoing infringements” of the Second Amendment. He requested a plan to safeguard gun rights.

His Executive Action delivered on a campaign promise to the NRA, the largest gun lobbying organization in the nation. But we have faced this landscape before, and our priority continues to be on gun violence prevention and saving lives.

July 2007 our Mass Pike billboard displayed a fictitious ransom note pointing blame directly at national lawmakers for accepting NRA “blood money” instead of promoting public safety.

Read more about how state and local governments can move forward:

• Biden’s Gun Violence Prevention Office Is Empty. Here’s How Its Work Can Continue Under Trump.
• The Legacy of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

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The Massachusetts Legislature opened their 194th session last month. As we review gun safety bills to prioritize this current session, we consider Industry Accountability.

Why Firearm Industry Accountability? 

In Massachusetts, the Attorney General’s regulations on handgun sales are part of the state’s consumer protection law, directed at keeping consumers safe from dangerous handguns. These rules mandate that all handguns sold must have specific safety features and child-proofing measures, along with safety warnings.

However, this is different from an Industry Accountability law. Such a law allows individuals, and local governments to take legal action against gun manufacturers and sellers for harm caused by their products beyond safety and child-proofing requirements. Guns are also the only consumer product manufactured in the United States that are not subject to federal health and safety regulation; often referred to as immunity.

Since 2021, several states have successfully passed laws to give victims and the public more power to file civil lawsuits against the firearm industry for unlawful actions. These states include California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. Read more about Industry Accountability here.

Massachusetts bills filed: An Act Relative to Firearm Industry Accountability HD.948 filed by Rep. Moran and SD.1023 filed by Sen. Creem.

NEWSWORTHY January 30, 2025 Reuters:

New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a decades-old government ban on federally licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to adults under the age of 21. The appeals court had previously upheld that same ban in 2012.

Firearms are the number one cause of death for children and teens.

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Massachusetts 2024 new gun safety laws have been in effect since October 2024

Here’s a short summary of key aspects that will help our communities be safe!

Requires the registration and serialization of frames and receivers, plus updates the definition of firearm to include unfinished frames and receivers, aka untraceable ghost guns.

• Ghost guns recovered by federal law enforcement are soaring across the country. Boston Police Department alone saw a 280% rise in untraceable ghost guns it recovered between 2019-2021.

Raises the age at which an individual can own a semi automatic rifle from 18 to 21 years.

• Gun violence disproportionately involve individuals under age 21, both as perpetrators and victims. Laws targeting this age group could reduce crime and firearm violence, including suicide.

Adds medical professionals and school administrators to the list of petitioners who may file an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) against a person who poses a risk to themselves or others.

• Studies that have examined outcomes of those who have been subject to an ERPO petition suggest low rates of firearm suicide after the ERPO subject’s firearms have been removed.

Prohibits the carrying of firearms at polling places and early-voting sites with an exemption for law enforcement.

• Our national climate is increasingly polarized and safeguarding the operation of our basic democratic right, voting, is crucial.