The NRA is suing Massachusetts over new gun bill. Here's why
The National Rifle Association is suing the state of Massachusetts over the new gun bill Governor Maura Healey signed into law last week.
The NRA said that this bill is one of the most radical pieces of gun control legislation in the United States.
"The 116-page radical gun control package implements sweeping gun bans, magazine restrictions, mandatory registration of all firearms, extreme training requirements, and more," the NRA said.
The new gun law had wide support on Beacon Hill, with only eight Democrats voting against it.
What is the new gun law in Massachusetts?
The new Massachusetts gun bill, named "An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws (H.4885)" aims to target untraceable "ghost guns," suspend the right to bear arms from people whose family members suspect of instability and domestic violence (strengthening what are called "Red Flag laws") and restricting the carrying of firearms in municipal buildings like schools among other measures.
"To better protect Massachusetts communities from dangerous weapons, the legislation updates the state’s assault weapons ban by expanding the definition of “assault weapons” to include known assault weapons and other weapons that function like them with respect to certain features," the state government press release said.
The law also prohibits the possession, transfer, or sale of “assault-style” firearms or a large capacity feeding devices.
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Why does the NRA object to the law?
The NRA objects to this law because they say it widely oversteps the state's legislative boundaries and violates Americans' Second Amendment rights.
Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, issued a statement condemning the law, saying that in restricts the freedoms of Massachusetts residents.
"NRA will be challenging this law to restore the rights guaranteed to Bay Staters by the U.S. Constitution," Kozuch said.
The aspects that seem to rub the NRA the most appear to be the ban on "assault-style" weapons, the expansion and strengthening of Red Flag laws.
What happens next?
The Democrats who drafted the bill that Healey signed into law last week said that they would fight any constitutional challenge to the law.
Time will only tell if this will make it all the up to the Supreme Court.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: NRA sues MA over new gun bill signed by Governor Healey. Here's why
