POV: Massachusetts Gun Laws Are Strong—but Not Strong Enough
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POV: Massachusetts Gun Laws Are Strong—but Not Strong Enough
Two BU medical students argue that the commonwealth is relaxing too much on gun laws, putting all citizens at risk
Massachusetts used to be ranked in the top five for state level gun law strength. Not anymore. As federal gun safety laws are under siege, other progressive states are firming up and expanding gun laws while our state sits on its laurels. The commonwealth’s gun laws are strong, but preventable deaths are still mounting, and being health policy–interested Boston University medical students, we believe there is so much work left to do.
Each day, more than 300 people are shot in the United States, with over a third dying from their injuries. A recent shooting in Holyoke, Mass., put a pregnant woman in the middle of crossfire while riding a bus—she was shot and her unborn baby was killed—leading to new calls to reform Massachusetts gun laws. Deaths like this are preventable, and gun violence prevention researchers and advocates are working overtime to address this public health crisis by codifying evidence-based violence prevention strategies in local, state, and federal law.
As advocacy leaders of Socially Responsible Surgery (SRS), a Boston University–founded national organization that fights for local and global health equity, we support data-driven public health solutions. We know there are legislative solutions to firearm violence that have, and will, save lives. Eager to speak our mind, we decided to participate in the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence Advocacy Day on September 13.
Training at Boston Medical Center (BMC), a safety net hospital that sees 30 percent of all gunshot injuries in Massachusetts, we see the devastation of gun violence on a daily basis. The effects of gun violence extend far beyond the day of the shooting, with those who survive and their surrounding networks facing lifelong challenges related to physical recovery and emotional trauma. The BMC Community Violence Response Team (CVRT) works to minimize the colossal impact of gun violence by providing free mental health counseling and a variety of other resources to victims of community violence and their families. While CVRT and other hospital violence intervention programs are doing their best to support those affected by gun violence, stronger gun policy is needed to help stop shootings before they happen.
Fortunately, the Massachusetts legislature seems to understand the urgent need for stronger laws, and there is a comprehensive gun violence prevention bill up for a vote right now. H.4135 tackles multiple weak spots in current legislation; some key points include increasing assault weapon prohibitions, promoting equitable funding sources for community violence prevention groups, banning ghost guns, extending the ability for healthcare professionals to file Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and much more. The bill passed the House 120-38 on October 18, but must still pass the Senate, which has yet to file its own version. Continued advocacy efforts are essential to insure the bill is codified into Massachusetts law.
Massachusetts used to have the fourth strongest gun laws in the nation, but has fallen to sixth place this year as other states take quick directed action to make their communities safer. Enacting H.4135 this legislative season is crucial for our state to maintain its position as a leader in gun safety.
We marched to the State House September 13 alongside the BMC CVRT director and clinicians and other passionate constituents, all with the goal of ensuring that our local representatives understood the urgency of enacting common sense gun legislation.
All through the State House, legislators’ offices were filled with gun violence prevention advocates. We squeezed into the office of State Senator Liz Miranda (D-2nd Suffolk) with 10 others, some of them our colleagues, others our neighbors we were meeting for the first time. It is difficult to think of another forum that would bring together such a diverse pool of lived experiences. Senator Miranda heard and affirmed our arguments, which were built on tragic personal anecdotes, shocking statistics, and urgent calls to action. All of us echoed what we know to be true: good is not good enough.
This day taught us a crucial lesson: just by virtue of being a constituent, your opinion matters and your presence is essential for securing the attention and votes of legislators. In the past, the gun lobby has told physicians to “stay in their lane” when it comes to gun violence. They are missing the point. This is our lane. Health professionals, medical students, and every single community member belong in the fight to end gun violence.
If you want to speak up for a safer Massachusetts, the time is now, and legislators’ doors, phone lines, and mailboxes are open. Volume is key to making legislators prioritize these policies. Large numbers of people, consistently showing up and sharing their stories, are how we can ensure that these policies get passed now, not next session, nor the session after.
State Senator Miranda said it best: “This is the people’s house.” There is no need for prior advocacy experience or fancy qualifications. These are our legislators, our communities, our policies, our lives. And that is enough to give us—and you—a seat at the table.
Find more information on future advocacy opportunities in the gun violence prevention scene here.
Hannah Bard (CAMED’26) can be reached at hbard@bu.edu. Kaylee McCord (CAMED’26) can be reached at klmccord@bu.edu.
“POV” is an opinion page that provides timely commentaries from students, faculty, and staff on a variety of issues: on-campus, local, state, national, or international. Anyone interested in submitting a piece, which should be about 700 words long, should contact John O’Rourke at orourkej@bu.edu. BU Today reserves the right to reject or edit submissions. The views expressed are solely those of the author and are not intended to represent the views of Boston University.
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