his week I am writing to you about ballot question #9 in the Nov. 3rd state election. Question 9 asks voters if they want to uphold An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws enacted July, 2024. I urge you to keep the current law by voting YES.
The law provides many gun violence prevention measures, such as the prohibition of untraceable ghost guns and 3-D printed guns. It also expands red flag laws and updates the definition of assault weapons as well as other safety provisions. This law has helped keep gun violence in MA one of the lowest in the country. It was endorsed by the MA Chiefs of Police Association.
Some gun rights groups are seeking a repeal of this law, asserting it infringes on their constitutional rights. The MA Attorney General has endorsed the law and stated it is legal.
I know firsthand the tragedies of victims and perpetrators of gun violence. That is why I testified in support of the measure before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in Oct. 2023.
This law directly impacts Plymouth. Because the law expands the list of sensitive areas where firearms are prohibited, firearms are prohibited in our Town Hall. (Law enforcement is exempt.) In 2024, a local by-law was proposed to exempt Plymouth and allow firearms in Town Hall. I co-led a grass roots campaign which defeated this by-law at Town Meeting, thereby keeping Town Hall safe. Should this law, An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws, be repealed, then firearms would be allowed in Town Hall.
Vote YES on Question #9.
– Art Desloges
Desloges is a Town Meeting member representing precinct 15