On Thursday, Oct. 15, a 16-year-old gunman walked into an Oregon school and killed three children and a teacher before being killed. This can happen anywhere in America, even here. A “no” vote on Question 9 will make that more likely in Massachusetts.
Question 9 on this election’s ballot seeks to repeal a law passed more than two years ago to tighten Massachusetts’ firearms regulations. Among other provisions, the law imposes penalties for making, possessing, and transferring untraceable “ghost guns” with no serial numbers so that the owner and user can’t readily be identified. It changes the definition of “machine guns” to include devices that turn single-shot guns into repeating weapons. There are many other elements of this law designed to limit access to, and use of, firearms designed to kill people — not to hunt, not for target practice, not for self-defense. The bill passed both chambers of our Legislature in July 2024 by overwhelming majorities.
None of the “No on 9” lawn signs that have popped up in the last few weeks say anything about what a “no” vote means. Put simply, it will make our schools, our malls, our places of worship — anywhere — less safe. I can’t imagine why anyone would choose that path. The choice is clear. Voting “no” will kill this law, and maybe more victims of gun violence. Voting “yes” will preserve it, and likely some lives.
Michael Dover
Turners Falls