Welcome to a weekly series here on Pew Pew Tactical dedicated to the gun news you need to know.
So, keep reading for this week’s notable news headlines…
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Massachusetts Gun Bill Proposes Expansive Changes to State Gun Laws
A new bill proposed by Massachusetts House Democrats would bring about sweeping changes for gun owners in Massachusetts if passed.
The 140-page gun bill, called “An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws,” would expand Red Flag Laws and require a gun’s receiver and barrel to be serialized and registered with the state.
It would also make it a criminal offense to build or sell so-called “ghost guns.”
The bill aims to “stem the flow of illegal firearms into the Commonwealth and increase protections from gun violence for our communities.”
Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham) told Boston 25 News that the bill isn’t meant to punish lawful gun owners but instead crack down on illegal activity.
“We’re not trying to go after or criminalize proper license [holders], people who can responsibly carry a firearm,” Rep. Day explained. “This is really intending to get at those that are evading our code of laws through the advancement of technology and criminal behavior.”
Rep. Day went on to say that the bill offers clarity and should make state laws easier for residents to understand.
But gun rights groups disagree.
The Gun Owners’ Action League explained that the new laws will only confuse law-abiding gun owners and make it impossible to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
“The gun laws are already so convoluted and complex that it is extremely difficult for the average citizen to comply with them,” GOAL said in a statement on their site.
“The newly proposed language will add a finality to that as it will now be virtually impossible. There will be no way to exercise our 2A civil rights in Massachusetts without risking arrest and prosecution.”
The bill has been referred to a committee and will receive a public hearing before heading to the floor.
Oregon Gov. Signs Off on “Ghost Gun” Ban
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed a bill regulating unserialized firearms and unfinished frames and receivers.
The bill, signed this week, imposes a maximum 10-year imprisonment and a $250,000 fine to residents who violate it.
“Un-serialized guns are bad for everyone except criminals who don’t want to get caught,” Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said when advocating for the bill.
Gov. Kotek indicated as early as March that if the bill made it to her, she would sign it.
“This is a common sense, long overdue reform that I hope can prevent the kinds of tragedies we saw last year in Buffalo, Uvalde and Bend,” Kotek said. “I look forward to that bill reaching my desk.”
But gun rights advocates say the bill doesn’t help. Instead, they argue it’s convoluted and confusing, even using terminology that a federal judge recently tossed out.
It uses multiple definitions, including the Federal definition for “frame and receiver,” to ban personally made firearms.
“We have received a number of inquires [sic] about what this bill actually does. But the bill is so poorly drafted that we can’t really answer that question with any certainty,” the Oregon Firearms Federation said in a statement.
“It’s unclear exactly what parts of this bill could ever be lawfully enforced. But that does not mean you are safe from prosecution under it.”
TSA Expects Record-Breaking Year for Guns in Carry-Ons
It looks to be another record-breaking year for the Transportation Security Administration, with the organization already reporting over 3,000 firearms found in carry-on bags.
TSA says it’s averaged 18 gun finds per day since January – a 6% increase over the same period in 2022. Of those guns, more than 92% were loaded.
Experts say an increase in travel in 2023 combined with permitless carry is causing the uptick. Permitless carry is now legal in 26 states and doesn’t require gun owners to hold a concealed carry firearm license.
“We’ve got a significant rise in the population of new, never-before gun owners. And then we have a significant rise in new air travelers,” a TSA official told Forbes.
Guns are permitted on some airlines; however, they must be appropriately stored and checked into baggage. Guns are not allowed through security checkpoints in carry-on bags.
“Anyone traveling with a firearm must follow the rules and pack it properly in checked baggage in addition to declaring it to the airline,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske explained to Forbes. “Passengers who bring a firearm to the security checkpoint present a security risk, and there are consequences for doing so.”
The penalty for carrying an unloaded firearm through a security checkpoint is a minimum civil fine of $1,500; however, if the gun is loaded, the fine moves up to $3,000. Repeat violators can see penalties of up to $14,950.
See more about flying with guns: Flying with Firearms: Everything You Need to Know.
Sources
- Boston 25 News
- Yahoo! News
- GOAL
- Massachusetts Legislature
- Forbes
- TSA Penalties
- TSA Firearms Policy
- HB 2005
- Oregon Firearms Federation
- Oregon Public Broadcasting
- Guns.com
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