While the Massachusetts GOP has long criticized Governor Healey, her administration’s implementation of restrictive new firearm mandates has ignited a fresh wave of conservative fury. This latest clash over Second Amendment rights has supercharged Republican opposition, which was already surging following Trump’s victory and the looming end of her term.
In a post shared on the Massachusetts Reddit by user TootTootUSA, new gun laws that went into effect recently have caused a firestorm of drama and controversy. Registered firearm owners complain that this new rule heavily restricts their 2A Amendment rights.
With the new restrictions on folks specifically targeting people renewing their licenses, the State Police has issued new lists of approved testing sites and personnel, which quickly spiraled into anger over the law and how much it further restricts pre-existing firearm owners. Here is some of what they had to say about Governor Healey and the new restrictions.
“Not all gun owners are MAGA, we’re your neighbors, friends, and family. Many people you don’t realize believe heavily in this right and feel strongly it belongs to all of us. We are heavily educated in this state, have good social safety nets, we take care of our own. I truly feel safer the more Massachusetts citizens arm themselves. Educated and armed is a powerful combination.”
“Actual Mass Conservatives are quite numerous and tend to be right leaning Libertarians (that is, extending the non-aggression principle to the unborn and withdrawing it from self-defined social groups like Freemasons or Queer folk, but being firmly libertarian in other matters). These people are fully 1/3 of the state or more, but almost never vote. Totally disenfranchised.”
“Straight up fear mongering”
“it isn’t effective. If you actually read through the whole thing there isn’t actually anything in there that makes anyone safer, though there are a few things that actively make people less safe. For instance, the “ban” on 3D printed firearms? Just an add-on charge for already illegal behavior. You can still 3D print a gun as long as you have a license, nothing has changed there.”
Chapter 135 is in effect as of April 2, 2026, and the second half of the new Massachusetts law will come into effect this October. The entire bill can be read here, and despite heavy opposition, it doesn’t seem like a change is coming anytime soon. The ripples of this choice will be felt as Governor Healey seeks re-election in the upcoming midterm.
