H4139 expands the state’s assault weapon ban by prohibiting new purchases of AR-15-style weapons and banning modifications that turn legal firearms into illegal automatic weapons. It also includes measures to crack down on ghost guns, which are untraceable and have been increasingly recovered by state police. To combat this, the bill requires all firearm frames and receivers to have a serial number and modernizes the state’s firearm registration system to close existing loopholes. Additionally, it increases penalties for violations and mandates that the state’s gun registry share information with federal authorities.
The Massachusetts State Senate passed H4139 on February 1, 2024 by a vote of 37 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the nays because it is none of the government’s business what firearms you own and possess. The right of the American people to keep and bear arms is protected by the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and should not be infringed.