The Massachusetts Legislature passed a firearm safety reform bill Thursday that represents an ongoing effort by the legislature to tighten the scope of acceptable gun use and to limit gun violence overall.
A bill introduced by Senator Edward J. Kennedy and integrated into the passed legislation as Section 12G o f S.2584 is the first in the Commonwealth to target intentional shootings at residential properties and dwellings.
The amendment filed by Senator Kennedy in partnership with Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan states that individuals who intentionally shoot at a dwelling or building with a firearm shall face consequences of 2.5 to five years in state prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
This fills a gap in the legislation that previously made it difficult to press charges, as no statute specifically addressed discharging a firearm at a dwelling. Previously, prosecutors have been forced to charge a defendant with inexact alternatives.
Senator Kennedy filed the bill regarding shooting at dwellings in response to ongoing gun violence of that nature in Lowell, MA. There were more than 70 instances of shots being fired at dwellings in Lowell from 2018 to 2022.
Kennedy previously testified on the matter in front of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary that “while the issue of discharging firearms at homes weighs on the minds of residents across the Commonwealth, particularly in our cities, Massachusetts laws do not adequately prosecute those who have committed these crimes.”
“There have been far too many instances of shots being fired at dwellings in Lowell over the past five years that have been difficult to prosecute in court,” Senator Kennedy said.
District Attorney Ryan is a staunch proponent of the amendment.
“In just the past few weeks nearly 100 shell casings have been left behind on our streets, sidewalks, and in our parks. They are the reminders of brazen acts of gun violence. In several cases, the bullets from those casings were found lodged in the walls of occupied bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. Used as a tactic to threaten and intimidate, these attacks put the occupants of the home in grave danger and terrorize our communities. I am grateful for the partnership of Senator Kennedy which has resulted in having the Legislature include the language of the bill we jointly proposed to specifically address discharging a firearm at a dwelling house in their compromise bill which has been sent to the Governor’s desk. We will now be able to effectively charge and prosecute these acts,” said Ryan.
Representative Rady Mom filed an identical bill in the House.
12 responses to “Kennedy Gun Safety Bill Passes Senate”
It happens all the time in king county, Washington state. Even with home cameras catching the felons there hasn’t been any resolve. Wait a minute are not felons forbid from guns?
FINALLY! A gun law that doesn’t seek to restrict the rights of the law abiding him owner.
*gun
Inter cities yes . But out in the country no. Problems are also in the cities and the people in the country get dumb laws thrown at us. How many drive bus do here about in the country none.
I used to work for the NRA and this is the type of legislation they supported. Go after criminal behavior instead of law abiding gun owners. Well done.
A new gun law isn’t necessary just prosecute the ones that are already on the books. That’s the problem with these crimes is they aren’t prosecuted and the criminals know this
Go after the criminals!
You should pass the bill have the people being investigated before you give them a gun what are these people are mentally unstable for one a gun is a tool. Look at the people not the gun.
It’s the person behind that gun that using that weapon. Question is who are they. Did they get a background check before they purchased the weapon. If not you can say Illegals.
Just as long as don’t take my rights and to Defend my self and Family.!! Also protect our 2’nd Amendment Gun rights.!! Plus the Constitution as well.!!!
Is no word “gun” in 2nd Amendment! Word “arms” means anything used for defence, including body armor, shields are part of coat of arms, swords, bow & arrows, spears, cannons, landmines, catapults casting rocks, fires of brimsrone, acts Daof sabatoge,
I definitely understand this has to happen,people shooting in populated areas should have severe consequences. That being said, if they went back to the old ways of constitutional rights to gun ownership, more citizens would own guns and less shootings would happen in public areas. If the young people of today decided they were going to shoot each other, they’d take it somewhere secluded because other gun owners might shoot at them. The many violations of the constitutional right to have guns, which is being violated by the government of Massachusetts causes issues with illegal guns, and shootings in my opinion. Restore the constitutional rights and they’ll think twice before shooting in a populated area ever again.