The Massachusetts assault weapons ban mirrors the federal ban Congress allowed to expire in 2004. It prohibits the sale of specific weapons like the Colt AR-15 and AK-47 and explicitly bans “copies or duplicates” of those weapons. But gun manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to define what a “copy” or “duplicate” weapon is. They market “state compliant” copycat versions of their assault weapons to Massachusetts buyers. They sell guns without a flash suppressor or folding or telescoping stock, for example, small tweaks that do nothing to limit the lethalness of the weapon.
That will end now. On Wednesday, we are sending a directive to all gun manufacturers and dealers that makes clear that the sale of these copycat assault weapons is illegal in Massachusetts. With this directive, we will ensure we get the full protection intended when lawmakers enacted our assault weapons ban, not the watered-down version of those protections offered by gun manufacturers.
The directive specifically outlines two tests to determine what constitutes a “copy” or “duplicate” of a prohibited weapon. If a gun’s operating system is essentially the same as that of a banned weapon, or if the gun has components that are interchangeable with those of a banned weapon, it’s a “copy” or “duplicate,” and it is illegal. Assault weapons prohibited under our laws cannot be altered in any way to make their sale or possession legal in Massachusetts.
The loophole in the Mass. assault weapons ban – Maura Healey, Attorney general of Massachusetts.
I have the feeling that the geniuses in Massachusetts have no idea that they just banned not only “assault weapons” but pretty much anything gas operated. So say bye-bye to stuff like the Remington Model 1100, Beretta 390 & 391, Mossberg 930 and I have no idea how many others.
It will also ban the sale of the Remington model 11-87 which would be hilarious when you happen to find out who owns one:
I know that the Browning BAR .30-06 would have to be included but, what other gas operated firearms are out there? Add your selection in the comments.
The new “directive” is both ambiguous and overly broad in its two “tests”. It will be struck down in any court challenge.
Don’t bet on it. The courts are corrupt.
I recall when gun makers came out with a funky looking AR that was NYSAFE Act compliant, the gun control lobby accused them of circumventing the law. Though of course a better word would be complying with the law.
Any idea if there are any recoil operated assault weapons on their list? Might have an effect on legal handguns also.
HK-91 is recoil operated
Nope. HK 91 is delayed blowback.
“If a gun’s operating system is essentially the same as that of a banned weapon…” I actually read that statement a bit broader than just gas operated. If one broadens “gun operating system” to be action type, this could be construed to “outlaw” any semi-auto firearm.
Unfortunately, court challenges take years. Even if the law is totally unconstitutional, it can be in place for many years before the courts invalidate it. This has become a tactic of the left on many issues. Go ahead, pass the law, get it on the books, then let is simmer for several years while the opponents challenge it in court. By the time it does get struck down, most folks have become used to the law.
Prison time for politicians who engage in passing an unconstitutional law would fix that problem real fast.
Hemp rope is cheaper, reusable, and eco-friendly. A couple of pols swinging from streetlights or overpasses would focus the attention of the remaining ones real quick.
Dont forget all of those bolt actions that can take an AR collapsible carbine stock or a AR grip… i.e. Mossberg or Ruger Precision.
Also, the lever action guns that have been tacticooled up with AR stocks and rails… If it has a rail on it than it can certainly take the same flip up sights or tactical red dots that AR-15s can. Also a vertical grip could be added to any handgun with a rail.
What about anything with a detachable mag? I think interpretation of the law would also bring that into play.
They are also going out of their way to say that the pump action AR-15s are going to be banned because they are assault weapons. That would then make any gun with a similar operating system as theirs (pump action) also deemed an assault weapon.
Also, what about a tacticool 10/22?
If that is deemed an assault weapon and their law says it should be, then a dressed down 10/22 would be considered a copy-cat.
I’m basing this off my experience in CA, which also has dumb AW laws as well. Here at least, there are two ways to getting an MSR, one is to have a “featureless rifle” (the kind that the MA AG is upset about), or the other is to have a magazine lock (aka bullet button or bullet button reloaded).
The AG should be careful of what she wishes for. If she wants to strike down “all copies and duplicate” rifles that are based on the operating systems of existing banned rifles… then that means all semiauto rifles will be illegal, even the ones that were permitted in the ’93 ban like the mini-14. As far as the courts go, even if they’re corrupt, I don’t see how this can hold up since it is a bit too broad of a ban.
Does she wish to gamble on that?
All Glocks would be banned because they can take an evil high capacity 30 round assault magazine.
Or just the fact that some ARs accept them as magazines.
I believe it would also ban blowback operated weapons because the original federal law named the Uzi, which is blowback operated. Say goodbye to any semi-automatic .22 rifle or handgun.
How about we start citizen arresting elites and anti-gunners found in possession of any gun. Make THEM live by THEIR rules.
An Airsoft gun with CO2 is “gas operated”…guess it’s an “assault weapon”, now. I feel sorry for the citizenry in such a ridiculous state.
M-1 Garand, M-1 Carbine, 10/22, SCAR16/17, FAL, and on and on… sigh
Kel-Tec Sub-2000 is a rifle that can accept 30 rd mags. They use Glock, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, and SIG Sauer magazines. If the Sub-2000 is an “assault weapon” under MA law, then MA just outlawed Glock, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, and SIG Sauer handguns.
They sell guns without a flash suppressor or folding or telescoping stock, for example, small tweaks that do nothing to limit the lethalness of the weapon
Agh! We’ve been telling the antis for 25 years that these features (the things they define an “assault weapon” by) don’t make them more lethal. And NOW they agree with us- after the ban has been in place long enough and it’s time to expand it. Who didn’t see that coming?
They’re not suddenly “agreeing” with us; they’re merely “not disagreeing”.
We have been saying: Flash suppressors, muzzle devices, collapsible stocks, etc. do nothing to make the firearm more lethal, so they should not be banned.
They are now saying: Flash suppressors, muzzle devices, collapsible stocks, etc. do nothing to make the firearm less lethal (in their words, “limit the lethality”), so they may be banned.
They’re not “agreeing”. They’re taking our argument and twisting it around to fit their conclusions.
Pretty much bans everything except a revolver and a bolt action rifle or shotgun.
Semi auto pistols are gas blowback.
Well, Massachusetts has certainly gone the whole hog on this one. I really do feel for the gun owners living there, this is awful. My guess is this won’t stand up to judicial scrutiny, but it could be years before it’s overturned. I’m curious if California, Connecticut, or New York will try to one up them.
CA passed a “zero feature” expansion of their “assault weapon” ban a couple years ago, but Brown vetoed it. The scary thing is that our next governor will probably be Gavin Newsome, and he will sign *everything*. He signed SF’s total gun ban (overturned in court) in 2005.
This is why it is ESSENTIAL that everyone , including NRA and GOA and 2 A Foundation ect. have standing orders to smack down and file MANY Lawsuits whenever this crap is proposed in ANY state. This is the new playbook. Where did the alleged ‘ authority ‘ to issue this directive come from ? Did NRA / 2AF or anybody fight it ?
WE are ALL …… NEXT …!!!
Have to wait for things to happen before you can fight them. Guarantee lawsuits are coming.