Gun Laws

Stop Handgun Violence was the lead agency in a coalition that came together to pass the Gun Control Act of 1998 (Chapter 180), the most comprehensive gun legislation in the nation. The coalition included the office of Senator Cheryl Jacques, the MA Medical Society, The MA Public Health Association, MA Chiefs of Police Association, the Mayor of Boston, the Attorney General, the Boston Bar Association and the League of Women Voters.

Chapter 180 requires licensing, registration, gun safety training, and safe storage on all firearms. The law banned assault weapons and “junk guns”. Further, Chapter 180 requires gun dealers to perform background checks and register every firearm sold.

For more details on Massachusetts' gun laws, as well as other state and federal gun laws, go to The Firearms Law Center on our links page.