What is this all about?

The law at the center of this ballot question, H4885, was signed into law on July 25, 2024, by Governor Maura Healey, without an Emergency Preamble. Upon the Governor Signing the bill, it became the law now known as Chapter 135 of the 2024 Session. Despite votes against this law, by both Democrat and Republican Lawmakers, it easily passed in both the House and the Senate. It introduced sweeping changes to the state’s firearm laws, including new licensing requirements, registration mandates, and restrictions on the possession of certain firearms. While proponents argue that it strengthens public safety, many citizens see it as an overreach that places unnecessary burdens on law-abiding residents without addressing the root causes of violent crime.

Here are some of the key impacts of H4885 that have raised concerns:

• Establishment of a Massive, Centralized Government Run Database, encompassing all personal and professional information on every Gunowner in Massachusetts, with every firearm serialized, cataloged and inventoried in the personal record. This could expose residents to criminal gangs and hacker organizations, similar to what occurred in NY State in 2012, when Gannet Newspapers, under the Freedom of Information Act, published the names and addresses of all Gunowners in certain counties in NY State. Soon after, older gunowners were targeted by criminal gangs, beaten or killed and their guns stolen. Gannett did not give up on their FOI legal efforts until individuals fought back and started publishing all public records available on the Gannet owners and their senior managers, including divorce records, financial holdings, car information, addresses, arrests, inheritance and probate records etc. The lesson: Just because you can do something, does not mean you should.
• Restricting Non-Resident Junior Hunting: Under the new law, non-residents under the age of 18 are now barred from participating in hunting activities in Massachusetts. This restriction impacts young hunters who previously traveled to the state with their families for hunting seasons, effectively cutting off an important tradition for many families. Restricting this hunting has absolutely nothing to do with stopping violent crime! Why did they do this?
• Changes to Licensing Requirements: Firearms that could previously be owned with a Firearms Identification (FID) Card now require a License to Carry (LTC). This change affects many gun owners who had legally possessed rifles and shotguns under their FID cards. These individuals are now at risk of becoming felons overnight if they do not acquire an LTC, which is a more difficult and costly process. Communities of Color are disproportionately negatively affected.
• Redefinition of “Assault-Style Firearms”: The law expanded the definition of “assault-style firearms” to include a wide range of semi-automatic firearms that are commonly used for lawful purposes, such as hunting and sport shooting. Many firearms that were previously legal are now restricted, placing a significant burden on sportsmen, hunters, and collectors across the state.
• Registration Requirements for Muzzle Loaders and Antique Firearms: Previously exempt firearms, such as muzzle loaders and antiques, now require registration. This means that many collectors and historical firearm enthusiasts must comply with new bureaucratic hurdles, which many believe are unnecessary and do not contribute to public safety. Say goodbye to many Civil and Revolutionary War Renactors.

It is important to understand that under the Massachusetts State Constitution, citizens do not have the option to repeal individual sections of a law through a referendum. The Constitution requires that an entire law be repealed, rather than allowing selective changes to problematic portions. If the Legislature had been genuinely concerned with addressing issues like ghost guns, they could have drafted a separate 10-sentence law focused solely on that aspect. Instead, they bundled multiple complex and restrictive provisions into one overarching law, forcing citizens to either accept or reject the entirety of H4885. It was never about Ghost Guns or Strengthening Red Flag Laws.

The Referendum Process: Your Right Under the Massachusetts State Constitution

The Massachusetts State Constitution allows citizens to challenge and vote on recently enacted laws through a referendum process. This is a fundamental right of the people—a powerful tool for ensuring that laws reflect the will of the citizens, not just the decisions made in the State House. You can learn more about the specific provisions for the referendum process under Article 48 of the Massachusetts Constitution here. Article 48 guarantees the right to a referendum, giving citizens the power to reject laws that do not align with their values or that are just poorly written. It is the only tool the people have to repeal badly written laws.

In this case, a group of concerned citizens formed The Civil Rights Coalition and launched a state ballot committee to suspend and repeal H4885 within 30 days of the law’s signing. In order to suspend and put the question on the ballot, the residents, following the Massachusetts State Constitution and official guidance from the MA Secretary of State, needed to achieve 37,287 certified signatures to appear on the ballot for November 2026 and 49,716 certified signatures for Suspension of the law until the vote in November 2026. This effort gathered momentum quickly. In just over 30 days, over 100,000 citizens added their names in support of the referendum. We gathered and submitted 95,000 certified signatures to the Massachusetts Secretary of State on October 23, 2024, marking a pivotal step toward placing this law directly before the voters.

The Emergency Preamble: Governor Healey’s Attempt to Block Voters

Despite the overwhelming support from residents, On October 2, 2024 Governor Maura Healey signed an emergency preamble to Chapter 135 seventy-one days after the law was signed. She is the first Governor in almost 100 years to do so, after the fact. This effectively prevented the law from being suspended and denying voters their constitutional right to decide on it. Again, this declaration came 71 days after the law was initially signed—an unusual move that bypassed the citizens’ legitimate efforts to engage in the referendum process. The Governor cited “public convenience” as justification, but many believe this was a calculated effort to prevent citizens from challenging her policy decisions. There was no State Emergency to have this law passed.

While the emergency preamble may delay the people’s voice, it cannot silence it. The upcoming ballot question in November 2026 will give voters the final say.

Flaws in the Law: Forced Delays and Suspensions by Governor Healey’s Own Administration

After the emergency preamble was declared, the flaws in Chapter 135 became apparent even to those in the government responsible for implementing it. Governor Healey’s own Executive Office of Public Safety was forced to suspend, delay, and clarify multiple portions of the law. The rushed nature of the legislation led to confusion and impractical requirements that could not be implemented effectively.

Executive Office of Public Safety Forced to Suspend Portions of the Law

Shortly after the emergency declaration, Governor Healey’s Executive Office of Public Safety had to confront the impracticality of several provisions within Chapter 135. This forced the administration to suspend or delay implementation of multiple sections of the law. Here’s a closer look at the key suspensions and why they were necessary:

• Licensing and Training Delays: The new licensing and training requirements, which were set to overhaul the current firearm licensing system, were quickly delayed for 18 months. The state simply did not have the infrastructure in place to handle the increased demand for training courses and additional licensing requirements, making it impossible to enforce this provision on schedule.
• Rifle and Shotgun Licensing Confusion: Changes to the licensing of rifles and shotguns also had to be suspended. The new law required individuals to acquire a License to Carry (LTC) instead of the more straightforward Firearms Identification (FID) Card. This change not only created confusion among existing firearm owners but also risked criminalizing thousands of law-abiding citizens overnight. Recognizing the chaos that this would cause, the Executive Office opted to put this section on hold.
• Retailer Mandate Delays: The new requirements for firearm retailers were similarly delayed. The law mandated complex record-keeping practices and compliance measures that lacked clear guidelines. As a result, even licensed firearms dealers were unsure how to comply, prompting the Executive Office to delay the retailer portion to avoid creating widespread noncompliance through no fault of the businesses.

These suspensions underscore the flawed and rushed nature of Chapter 135. Instead of enhancing public safety, the law’s vague and impractical requirements created an immediate need for corrections, delays, and suspensions—proving that the concerns raised by citizens and grassroots organizations were valid from the start.

A Law So Flawed It Couldn’t Be Implemented

The series of suspensions and delays made it evident that Chapter 135 was a deeply flawed law. The rushed passage of H4885 overlooked the practical realities of implementation. Instead of crafting a clear and effective piece of legislation, the law bundled together various restrictive measures without proper consideration of their impact on the state’s residents and systems.

Governor Healey’s emergency preamble may have been intended to block a referendum and enforce the new rules immediately, but the inability to implement significant parts of the law has brought its shortcomings into full view. It highlights the disconnect between lawmakers and the practical implications of the laws they create.

Why This Matters for You

The suspensions of these sections of H4885 highlight why your voice matters. The upcoming ballot question in November 2026 is about more than firearm laws; it is about holding our government accountable when it oversteps and fails to adequately represent the people. This law was pushed through without regard for the challenges it would create for everyday residents, and the suspensions only emphasize the need for careful, thoughtful lawmaking that considers real-world impacts.

How We Got Here: The Journey to the 2026 Ballot

This journey began with a diverse group of residents from all walks of life who understood that freedom and civil rights cannot be taken for granted. In a rapid 45-day period, over 800 volunteers mobilized across the state, collecting signatures in every corner of Massachusetts. Together, we proved that grassroots efforts still matter, and that ordinary people can make their voices heard.

Join Us

By November 2026, you will have the opportunity to vote on whether this law stands or falls. This is not just about firearms; it’s about defending the process that keeps our government accountable. It’s about making sure that when the people speak, the government listens.

To learn more about the ballot question and how you can participate in this important movement, visit TheCivilRightsCoalition.com. Together, we can ensure that the government listens to the people and that the laws of Massachusetts truly reflect the will of its citizens.