SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – A sweeping piece of gun legislation swiftly moved its way through the State House and Senate on Thursday afternoon and now awaits Governor Maura Healey’s signature.

A deal between the Massachusetts House and Senate was struck just yesterday, bringing together elements of differing gun bills previously passed in both chambers.

This compromise legislation cracks down on illegal ghost guns and invests in gun violence prevention programs, provisions that are much needed in the city of Springfield which has seen a slew of gun violence incidents in the past few months.

The measure cracks down on ghost gun manufacturers and updates the definition of an assault rifle to meet modern standards, while also banning gun modifications like Glock switches, prohibiting firearms from non-law enforcement individuals in schools, polling facilities, and government buildings, and using federal funds to promote community-based violence prevention programs.

State Representative Carlos Gonzalez told Western Mass News the importance behind this sweeping legislation.

“We need to track and trace every single weapon. 90% of the weapons confiscated in the city of Springfield confiscated in crime have serial numbers, we need to go back, look at where those guns are coming from, whether it’s a shop, gun advocates that are selling these, or somebody that illegally has obtained these guns, and hold them accountable,” he said.

The city of Springfield, coming off a record year of homicides in 2023, has been mired by gun crimes over the past few months, most notably last month when Springfield Police Officer Nestor Santos was caught in the crossfire of a series of shootings sustaining serious injuries to the face and leg.

Law makers also worked with gun owners to make sure their rights are protected.

“We protect the ownership, possession, transfer and sale of assault style weapons currently legally owned and registered in the commonwealth with a legacy clause,” Representative Michael S. Day said.

A portion of the Senate bill penned by State Sentor John Velis was left out of the final compromise bill.

It would’ve cracked down on repeat offenders with possession of firearms.

State Senator Velis in a statement sent to Western Mass News said:

“If we really want to get serious about addressing all forms of gun violence, we need to acknowledge that much of the gun violence that plagues our commonwealth and nation is committed by those without a legal license to possess a firearm. Consequently, I am profoundly disappointed that the Senate’s repeat firearm-violent offender language was not included in the final conference report.”

Representative Carlos Gonzalez told us, juvenile and repeat offender laws will have to wait for separate bills. And bail reform could be another measure lawmakers take in the future to continue their crackdown on gun violence.

“Holding people accountable and having minimum sentencing guidelines would be more instrumental to people who are holding illegal weapons or selling illegal weapons,” he said.

The bill is expected to be on the governor’s desk by Friday morning when she will have the final say on whether or not the gun reform bill gets signed into law.

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