If you ever thought that a culture war battle couldn’t erupt in deep blue Massachusetts, think again. A looming fight over a new gun law also may lay bare some of the misconceptions about the way some Massachusetts residents think about themselves — and each other. First, the background: Democratic Gov.
Maura Healey won plaudits and brickbats alike this week when it was revealed she intended to flex her executive power to head off a petition drive, helmed by a Cape Cod gun store owner , aimed at suspending a series of fixes to the state’s gun laws . Second Amendment advocates called Healey’s decision to use her emergency powers to usher the changes onto the books before they were to officially take effect later this month " pure tyranny at its finest ." Speaking to reporters in Somerville on Tuesday, Healey argued that it was the right move at the right time.
“It’s a law that was passed, that came to my desk, that I signed,” she said. “I think it’s important to implement. It’s a law that I think most people get and support.
” The bill, the product of complex negotiations between the majority-Democrat House and Senate strengthens the state’s existing assault weapons ban; expands its “red flag” law language, and cracks down on ghost guns — among other changes. Healey, who signed the bill into law in July , argued Tuesday that “just as a matter of law enforcement ..
. it’s just important for the safety of our residents that we get this law on the .
